HACKER Q&A
📣 tagwarehouse

What comp should a tech co-founder ask for?


Do any tech co-founders on here have experience/example comp structures suitable for joining an early stage project?

I want to build their product but they haven't got funding yet.

Unsure how common it is to take just stock/a mix/an agreed cash payment once funding happens etc.

Considering spending 20 hrs per week one of two chosen projects to spread my risk pre-funding, unsure if this is acceptable either, though.

  👤 justinludwig Accepted Answer ✓
Most startups are of course going to fail, but to give yourself the best chance for success, split the stock equally between cofounders (leaving ~20% for future employees); devote 100% of your time to the startup; and once you get funding, take a salary that allows you to live comfortably and continue to devote 100% of your time to the company.

Also, because life is short and your savings aren't infinite, set some metrics (X many users, Y much revenue, Z much funding, etc) to meet under some time horizon (3 months, a year, etc), and when that time point arrives, if you're not close to your goals, fold the company and try something new.