Joining a Silicon Valley startup for 3 months

I'm in London, and about to go full time to launch a product myself, though I think I need another couple of months to get to a stage where I'm ready to launch.

However, I've been approached by a Silicon Valley start up to come and work for them. I've been working in startups for the last 2 - 3 years anyway (I'm a contract dev) so it would certainly be of benefit to them but it would delay me in my new venture.

I've explained the situation so we're thinking about a part time arrangement where I help them prototype, and they help me with experience (from previous startups) contacts and office space.

My thoughts:

Pros:

it would be an amazing experience
they are funded and would pay me what I get paid now
they would also consider equity
I would work in their office full time on both their work and my work
their founder is also a VC and would mentor me on launching and introduce me to people

Cons:

my product gets delayed
I can only work on my product part time

Other considerations:

splitting out time might leave both parties dissatisfied

So, questions:

what do people think of the above?
does anyone have any US visa advice on this?

Thanks for reading!

Dave Stewart

on June 23, 2019

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Having been on the employer side of a similar arrangement the advice I would give is expectations, expectations, expectations.

Be super clear, and putting it in writing always helps, with what both sides should expect. Off the top of my head:
- Agree on hours per week
- Write out your expectations on what mentoring and introductions means (and share these with them)
- Which days you will work on your project and theirs (and don't change these days)
The last piece of advice is to not underestimate how hard it will be to work on your own project from the employer's office. Things will happen, people will want advice or be pushing for a deadline and you sitting there downing your own thing can be uncomfortable for both sides. Not a dealbreaker just something to be aware of.

Also, feel free to ignore the opinions of random strangers on the internet :)
jamesfmac

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5 years ago
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  Thanks, Random Stranger! Good advice indeed :P
  
  likelylogic
  
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  5 years ago
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"I can only work on my product part time" - Make sure this is true. Some employers try to claim anything you build as theirs.

CamHart

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5 years ago
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  Ha ha, yes, contracts can be onerous! I've seen wording to the effect that an employer can even own any thoughts you have. I normally get those clauses taken out.
  
  likelylogic
  
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  5 years ago
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This comment was deleted 5 years ago.

BarbarianGrunge

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5 years ago
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  Good points, thanks. Absolutely happy to chat contracting with you! Feel free to do it here or PM me. My name's Dave :)
  
  likelylogic
  
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  5 years ago
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