So startup looking for "our guy", the right developer to take on our great idea. I cant begin to describe my frustration with trying to find someone. This is not just another equity job, we have some seed money and we have all the right connections to Angel and VC investors. Through all of our networking and interviewing, we still have not been able to find "our guy". Some developers thought the idea was too big and turned it down because its not their niche, others dont have time, etc. My intentions were never to ask HN for for this as I thought I would be able to find someone easily, but I wanted to reach out to all of you to see if you have any advice or if anyone is interested in hearing more.<p><i>UPDATE</i><p>The idea is a new travel site. We need help getting our vision to beta. We can offer a contracted cost with milestones plus equity depending on your level of experience and your current work load.<p>contact dmlevi[AT]GMAIL
Maybe the idea is too big for the incentives you are offering?<p>What is the right developer?<p>A lot of start-ups are still looking for that all singing braniac super rock ninja star developer who can program 10 times as fast as everyone else.<p>But often they aren't willing to pay 10 times as much, or even a reasonable amount.<p>Keep in mind if you can't afford to pay a developer to work full time, then you need to pay them enough to make sacrificing a large portion of their social and family life in pursuit of seeing your idea succeed.<p>Also think about how you are pitching the idea. These guys are investors too, they are investing their time, years of experience, wisdom and hard graft into your idea. They need to believe that this will succeed if they push it hard enough.<p>Worst cases:<p>Your idea sucks - don't listen to nay-sayers so keep going even if everyone else says it won't work. Dont stop till you are ready too<p>Your idea is too big - break it into something smaller and more achievable
You mention a "big idea" and use the startup "team" rhetoric, but that's all par for the course. Think about all the signals you're giving off. Others have mentioned here already what the NDA signals. Contract-based pricing and vague equity incentives feels a lot like you're looking to outsource development of a huge project for too little return despite the "team" rhetoric, even if that's not your intention.<p>Options:<p>1. if you're looking for "your guy", (s)he needs to REALLY be part of the team. Don't tip-toe around it with vague incentives, contract-based pricing and NDAs. These things signal inconfidence.<p>2. Become "your guy". Or at least try. Shw that you're hustling and that this thing will get made with or without "your guy".
David, it sucks to be in your position and I can sympathize. Most of us developers suck at UI/UX design and end up looking for "our guy/gal" designer too... and we don't have any money either.<p>A 21 month University of Chicago Booth MBA runs about 160k
( <a href="http://www.chicagobooth.edu/fulltime/admissions/costs.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.chicagobooth.edu/fulltime/admissions/costs.aspx</a> ), two of those is 320k. For just another 30k (10% more than you are already in debt/paid for) you could probably find a development shop to do an MVP. But 5k -10k on E-lance isn't going to do it. ( <a href="http://www.elance.com/j/levine-group-llc/24158220/" rel="nofollow">http://www.elance.com/j/levine-group-llc/24158220/</a> )
The answer is that you are looking for the wrong sort of person. You are looking for perfection and someone awesome.<p>You should be trying to find a good junior/graduate and spend your seed money on giving them a full time job.<p>They will make mistakes, not do it the best way or the right way, but if you work closely with them then SOMETHING will get built, enough to prove your concept in the market. When your concept succeeds then you will have the money to employ someone more expensive to do it right.<p>Change your expectation and you will then find the right person.