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I got a weird offer to work at promising startup. Should I accept? [closed]
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So here is the thing. My friend has offered me 3-5% at VERY promising startup. It has already 10 elite programmers and their plan is very cool. It's actually very low-level startup and they are creating new technology which makes cloud apps 30 % more efficient with zero additional costs (roughly speaking).
The offer is - after 3 years I can take 3-5 % of the company or $100k in cash (which is a lot for the Czech Republic). Problem is - I would have NO salary for at least 1.5 year (but free rent at cheap flat and free food) and I will get NOTHING if I leave before the third year.
I doubt I can stay there for 3 years without almost any money.
What do you think? Is it worth the risk? I am 19 btw. I think I would at least gain a lot of lucrative knowledge but the price is kinda high
Right now I have awesome job as a react programmer. Good money, new macbook, discounts on food etc.
job-offer startup business
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K Aug 10 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on a specific choice, such as what job to take or what skills to learn, are difficult to answer objectively and are rarely useful for anyone else. Instead of asking which decision to make, try asking how to make the decision, or for more specific details about one element of the decision. (More information)" – Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So here is the thing. My friend has offered me 3-5% at VERY promising startup. It has already 10 elite programmers and their plan is very cool. It's actually very low-level startup and they are creating new technology which makes cloud apps 30 % more efficient with zero additional costs (roughly speaking).
The offer is - after 3 years I can take 3-5 % of the company or $100k in cash (which is a lot for the Czech Republic). Problem is - I would have NO salary for at least 1.5 year (but free rent at cheap flat and free food) and I will get NOTHING if I leave before the third year.
I doubt I can stay there for 3 years without almost any money.
What do you think? Is it worth the risk? I am 19 btw. I think I would at least gain a lot of lucrative knowledge but the price is kinda high
Right now I have awesome job as a react programmer. Good money, new macbook, discounts on food etc.
job-offer startup business
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K Aug 10 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on a specific choice, such as what job to take or what skills to learn, are difficult to answer objectively and are rarely useful for anyone else. Instead of asking which decision to make, try asking how to make the decision, or for more specific details about one element of the decision. (More information)" – Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K
12
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
3
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
3
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
1
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
7
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So here is the thing. My friend has offered me 3-5% at VERY promising startup. It has already 10 elite programmers and their plan is very cool. It's actually very low-level startup and they are creating new technology which makes cloud apps 30 % more efficient with zero additional costs (roughly speaking).
The offer is - after 3 years I can take 3-5 % of the company or $100k in cash (which is a lot for the Czech Republic). Problem is - I would have NO salary for at least 1.5 year (but free rent at cheap flat and free food) and I will get NOTHING if I leave before the third year.
I doubt I can stay there for 3 years without almost any money.
What do you think? Is it worth the risk? I am 19 btw. I think I would at least gain a lot of lucrative knowledge but the price is kinda high
Right now I have awesome job as a react programmer. Good money, new macbook, discounts on food etc.
job-offer startup business
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
So here is the thing. My friend has offered me 3-5% at VERY promising startup. It has already 10 elite programmers and their plan is very cool. It's actually very low-level startup and they are creating new technology which makes cloud apps 30 % more efficient with zero additional costs (roughly speaking).
The offer is - after 3 years I can take 3-5 % of the company or $100k in cash (which is a lot for the Czech Republic). Problem is - I would have NO salary for at least 1.5 year (but free rent at cheap flat and free food) and I will get NOTHING if I leave before the third year.
I doubt I can stay there for 3 years without almost any money.
What do you think? Is it worth the risk? I am 19 btw. I think I would at least gain a lot of lucrative knowledge but the price is kinda high
Right now I have awesome job as a react programmer. Good money, new macbook, discounts on food etc.
job-offer startup business
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
edited Aug 10 at 16:26
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
asked Aug 10 at 16:17
Mr. Robot
143
143
closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K Aug 10 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on a specific choice, such as what job to take or what skills to learn, are difficult to answer objectively and are rarely useful for anyone else. Instead of asking which decision to make, try asking how to make the decision, or for more specific details about one element of the decision. (More information)" – Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K
closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K Aug 10 at 16:28
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on a specific choice, such as what job to take or what skills to learn, are difficult to answer objectively and are rarely useful for anyone else. Instead of asking which decision to make, try asking how to make the decision, or for more specific details about one element of the decision. (More information)" – Thomas Owens, Dan Pichelman, DJClayworth, gnat, David K
12
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
3
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
3
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
1
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
7
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38
 |Â
show 4 more comments
12
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
3
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
3
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
1
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
7
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38
12
12
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
3
3
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
3
3
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
1
1
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
7
7
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38
 |Â
show 4 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
15
down vote
What do you think?
In my opinion, working for free is crazy (or for the promise of a way in the future payout). If you can code, you can get a paying job right now in most countries. How are you going to pay expenses other than food in the meantime?
Is it worth the risk?
IMO no, it is not. Many start up's start, not many become profitable or even stick around very long. Also if you leave say in 2 years because of some other factor, you will have definitely gotten hosed.
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
15
down vote
What do you think?
In my opinion, working for free is crazy (or for the promise of a way in the future payout). If you can code, you can get a paying job right now in most countries. How are you going to pay expenses other than food in the meantime?
Is it worth the risk?
IMO no, it is not. Many start up's start, not many become profitable or even stick around very long. Also if you leave say in 2 years because of some other factor, you will have definitely gotten hosed.
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
add a comment |Â
up vote
15
down vote
What do you think?
In my opinion, working for free is crazy (or for the promise of a way in the future payout). If you can code, you can get a paying job right now in most countries. How are you going to pay expenses other than food in the meantime?
Is it worth the risk?
IMO no, it is not. Many start up's start, not many become profitable or even stick around very long. Also if you leave say in 2 years because of some other factor, you will have definitely gotten hosed.
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
add a comment |Â
up vote
15
down vote
up vote
15
down vote
What do you think?
In my opinion, working for free is crazy (or for the promise of a way in the future payout). If you can code, you can get a paying job right now in most countries. How are you going to pay expenses other than food in the meantime?
Is it worth the risk?
IMO no, it is not. Many start up's start, not many become profitable or even stick around very long. Also if you leave say in 2 years because of some other factor, you will have definitely gotten hosed.
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
What do you think?
In my opinion, working for free is crazy (or for the promise of a way in the future payout). If you can code, you can get a paying job right now in most countries. How are you going to pay expenses other than food in the meantime?
Is it worth the risk?
IMO no, it is not. Many start up's start, not many become profitable or even stick around very long. Also if you leave say in 2 years because of some other factor, you will have definitely gotten hosed.
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
answered Aug 10 at 16:22
Mister Positive
53.9k27176221
53.9k27176221
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
add a comment |Â
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
8
8
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
+1, but its not just crazy its STUPID. What your (OPs) friend is not telling you is that if the company way makes no money you get 0. Also if you get fired before the 3 year mark you get 0. You are taking on risk 3 year of work with no compensation for that risk. You should be a partner NOW. Also i your friend is abusing the friendship , no way the 10 Devs are working under this same agreement.
– Morons
Aug 10 at 16:35
3
3
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons "your friend is abusing the friendship" - this is not a friend.
– Michael Harvey
Aug 10 at 17:43
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
@Morons, I'd really, really doubt that there are ten programmers involved. That would be a really high number for a startup. If I got an offer like that, I'd want to be introduced to the programmers, and talk briefly with two or three random ones. Then I'd insist on a signed contract and take it to a lawyer or other person who can go through it, and sign nothing if there was any way for the startup to fail to pay me other than by going broke (and startups tend to do that). Also, I'd make sure the free rent and food was in the contract.
– David Thornley
Aug 10 at 22:39
add a comment |Â
12
working for free is generally not a great idea.
– user1666620
Aug 10 at 16:19
3
Hi Mr. Robot. Welcome to StackExchange. We are a bit different from other sites. Here you can only ask factual questions with factual answers. "What do you think" questions are off topic. Please have a look at our help pages if you have not already done so
– DJClayworth
Aug 10 at 16:27
3
So 33k USD / year (which it won't be, due to tax complications of lump sum). PayScale gives average Czech software dev sallary at $24k USD, and entry-level at $22k, with no "risk of losing it all". Doesn't seem like a great deal.
– RJFalconer
Aug 10 at 16:47
1
@RJFalconer only if the OP takes 100K and not 3-5%, and only if anyone has 100K at the 3 year mark and/or the company is worth anything, and the OP is only working without salary for 1.5 years, so your maths is a little off (but we don't know what the salary would be)
– bharal
Aug 10 at 16:53
7
If they can employ 10 "elite" "programmers", why can't they pay you a salary?
– Studoku
Aug 10 at 17:38