Jumping from FAANG into a seed round company?

Question

Currently work at a big FAANG and am kinda bored, but making good/great money.Recently got hit up with a request for some founders who just quit their jobs for their new venture.They're in the process of raising a seed within the next couple of weeks. I think the project is pretty viable and will almost certainly be funded. (it's SAAS and Web3/Crypto, and the founders worked for VCs prev as well as/top tech companies ;)).Generally speaking prev advice with seed startups is you can expect to live off ramen but has that changed in the current environment where everyone is flush with cash?Would you leave if the product was both technically interesting and viable? I'm relatively early in my career, college grad during the beginning of the pandemic, and don't want to get totally screwed if this doesn't work out.Anyone have experience, esp recent experience, with working for these super early stage startups? E.g. the founders just quit their jobs a matter of weeks ago.

PaulHoule · Accepted Answer

If it is crypto:Just. Say. No.With any justice anyone involved in the Web3 grift will &lsquo;never work in this town again.&rsquo;

enigmatic02 · Answer

Only worth it if these founders are the smartest people you've ever met, and you think you'll learn a lot more with them than with your current team
Leaving FAANG is a reversible door, so you can always go back, but don't quit just because the founders are recruiting you. They need to win you over big-time
Also make sure you're paid right. Here's a database of startup salary & equity: topstartups.io/startup-salary-equity-database/

v1l · Answer

If you're looking for a more fun and intense ride, join the startup. OTOH depending on how much cash you're saving at the FAANG, 2-3 years there and you'd be in a real cushy position to give something of your own a shot.Just remember: you join at seed stage for the experience of building something from the ground up (and some degree of ownership over what you do). It's a long and uncertain path to if it will ever result in a payday.

999900000999 · Answer

This is hard.Early in your career, I'd say stay where your at. Most of us will never get to FAANG and you have no idea if this startup will make it.Plus if they're hiring you as the lead engineer for the company that's a major red flag.You bring in experienced people before junior devs.I wouldn't do it, the vast majority of startups fail or sell for less than they took in investment.Don't assume you'll get richReverse it, say your at a startup and a FAANG offered you double the pay. What would you do ?

greatpostman · Answer

Don&rsquo;t join an early stage startup, found one. The equity you get granted is never worth it, and the success of an exit goes to the founders (in terms of career opportunities afterwards). Trust me on this. Only exception would be if the founder is basically a household name

sbinthree · Answer

Seed pays 40% of market cash and integer equity. 1% of company if you&rsquo;re intermediate to junior and they have raised seven figures. Entirely up to you, FAANG will mark you as regrettable attrition if they like you and then you can walk back on if it doesn&rsquo;t work.

alexslobodnik · Answer

if not now, when?

Jumping from FAANG into a seed round company?

If it is crypto:
Just. Say. No.
With any justice anyone involved in the Web3 grift will ‘never work in this town again.’

Don’t join an early stage startup, found one. The equity you get granted is never worth it, and the success of an exit goes to the founders (in terms of career opportunities afterwards). Trust me on this. Only exception would be if the founder is basically a household name

Seed pays 40% of market cash and integer equity. 1% of company if you’re intermediate to junior and they have raised seven figures. Entirely up to you, FAANG will mark you as regrettable attrition if they like you and then you can walk back on if it doesn’t work.

if not now, when?