Founders: The involved vs. the committed

http://onstartups.com/home/tabid/3339/bid/1204/Startup-Founders-The-Involved-vs-The-Committed.aspx

by farmer • 19 years ago

22 3 19 years ago

bootload• 19 years ago

You can master your choice of ideas, technology, location. But stuff up the soft side of tech-startups (founder commitment) and you are doomed. The article has an interesting take on working out the dividing line between founders that are *involved* VS those who are *committed*. But is this a good enough test? I found out recently the distinction between 'involved' & 'committed' when a co-founder ditched out prefering to do a Phd (in the exact same area of the product) rather go the hard yards, build a product then sell it. Why? I can only guess. The Phd route could be perceived as less risky, higher prestige over the entrepreneurial route. Maybe because all the "chicks dig Phd's in CompSci" ? Using the above test the co-founder would pass. So how do you, "evaluate if a co-founder is committed over the entire product development timeline before any perceived payback" ? The article fails to answer this question.

aglarond• 19 years ago

Good article and informative comments. They underline my own current concerns - working on a startup while working full-time to support a family... I know chances for success are slim because most would say I'm not "committed". But I have faith in my idea, and I keep working toward my goals. I get discouraged when I see other startups with similar ideas, but that also shows me that I'm on the right track and the market is ripe.

mhn• 19 years ago

Sometimes it's not extremely expensive to get started, but it very time consuming. Does that mean youre more/less committed than another entrepreneur who has spent a ton of money getting a company rolling? I think a persons answer to these questions can tell what they value more. Additionally, I always have a hard time considering someone to be uncommitted to a startup if they are working a separate full time job to support their family. Whenever I come across that argument, I cant help but think: Just imagine what Ill be able to do when Im working 100 hours/week for my company rather than 60 for my company and 40 for another

Founders: The involved vs. the committed

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