This question is aimed at talented programmers, who have successfully built a project whether it be for work, or another startup.<p>What would you need to see from someone with a web app company proposal to feel comfortable joining as CTO/Lead engineer? Let's assume that you did not yet know the person.<p>I'm asking b/c I have several plans that I am in the final process of developing but would like feedback on how to get real talent to join as co-founder. I know I can get your run of the mill coder easily, but what do I need to come to the table with to a top 10%er.
I was a technical cofounder and I have joined several startups as either the first employee or the first technical employee. This has evolved over the years, but the big thing that I look at is the person or team that I am going to join. It's cliche but true. That manifests itself in two ways:<p>1. "Smart People That I Like Having a Beer With" is a must have. There is so much that happens in a startup that its more like a family than a job. And in this case, picking your family is wisely is the path to happiness AND success.
2. Deep experience in their field and / or a clear way to generate early revenue (through network, former company, etc.). The hardest part of starting a company is early traction and if I can't bring it then I want it in the people I work with.<p>Notice that none of this is really about the idea because if you have someone with deep experience or early sales, then the idea will evolve over time as it finds the right Customer Need.<p>Good luck!
#1 thing I look for is traction: people that obviously want to buy what you have to sell, as measured by them <i>actually</i> buying what you have to sell. If they have that, then I look at the size and interestingness of the market (I don't really care if you have traction as a consulting business, but if you have traction in an exciting consumer market, my e-mail address is in my profile). Then I'd meet the founders and other employees to see if its a good fit for me personally.<p>If you don't have traction, it's a much harder sell. In that case, the first thing I look for is the team. Are you someone I could hit it off with over drinks? Do you have deep expertise in your area of your startup? Are you driven by data or by dreams? Do you have a plan for how you're going to attack your market, or is it just "There must be riches out there <i>somewhere</i>"?
I would expect reasonable hours, some guarantee that the startup would be around for a year, a bigger potential pay-off than a big company, and that the other guy was a reasonable person with good ideas that was not a micro-manager.
Ability to focus.<p>Courage to try new things.<p>Willingness to accept some of those 'new things' aren't working as planned and change course or drop them.<p>Ability to examine situations logically, but also to get passionate about the offering.<p>Basic agreement that revenue and profit are king, and decisions should be made based on the numbers.<p>Clear vision for how money will be made.<p>Ability to articulate customer base.<p>Demonstrated ability to sell, or to find people who can.
1) Compelling idea 2) Significant ownership stake (ideally 50%) 3) Funding to pay salaries for 1-2 years 4) Co-founder that's competent, hard working, and easy to work with.<p>If you have those four things you're in the top tier of awesome opportunities. Any entrepreneurial-minded great hacker is going to be interested.
If you just have a proposal, I think it is going to be tough to attract the right talent. I am not necessarily a hacker (or maybe I am, who freaking knows), but I am taking that role on so I can make the first versions of my product. If I can show some traction, I know I won't be wasting anyone's time with my business. Furthermore, the first version doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be good enough to get by.