Thoughts on competing with a former employer?
I'm starting to think about a new project, wondering if there are any pitfalls with something that might collide with a former employer. No non-compete, and no obvious or intended use of trade secrets, but since I built large swaths of that system I certainly know how it works. In fact, there were architectural decisions that were made before my tenure that would mean that my approach was absolutely different from theirs. I'm not even sure that I want to do this, but it does seem like I could carve out a niche in this regard, at the very least it would be something cool to build in the manner that I would want to build it. Thoughts on the benefits versus drawbacks.
As long as you don't do anything shady like unfairly steal their clients, competing with your previous employer is probably the smartest business move you can make. Utilizing and building upon your previous experiences is how you become an expert in a field/niche/subject.
Make your version better and go for it with the goal of potentially having them buy your business.
And of course they might not love what you're doing at first but if they're smart, mature adults, they will quickly come to the realization that this is how the world works.
If you use good judgement, they will respect you.
Legal matters aside, I don't recommend doing this. Whatever you do, the other side will likely feel betrayed. You will probably be right and they wrong, but they won't see it that way.
The world is big, but chances are your former employer (or their representatives) and you have overlaps in personal / business networks and you don't want someone actively or passively ruining your reputation.
If the bridges are already burnt, and you're sure no legal issues are headed your way, do as you see fit. I would still not do it.
Probably need to bottom that one out first.
With respect sounds like you want to build a better version of a product you used to work on but you aren't really passionate about the problem it solves nor getting it to market.
Although your version will be better in some regard who is going to care ?
Could well be wrong, I mean I've only known you for a paragraph.
If your approach is different, your use case different and your user persona different, then go for it.
My personal take on this is not to do it. I'm pretty sure there will be something in the contract you signed that might give them grounds to come after you.