So this ex-i2er, a former colleague, is after me to join this startup, see? I get to do my own thing, run development out of India with offices in Chennai and in Bangalore, manage P&L for the unit, define processes, weather storms - you get the idea.
The catch? Apart from the risks associated with any startup, there is a fairly big problem. The office is within the PESIT campus, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of Mysore. 25 km from my house, or in Bangalore terms, almost two hours away. One way.
I need to decide pretty soon - in a day or two at most. My friend says this would only be for six months and they will move office once they have enough cash to afford a different place. I'm not sure what to make of that. Six months could turn out to be more, especially since they are getting a good deal at PESIT.
I've been running this over my mind for more than a week now and haven't come to a firm decision yet. One day it's yay, another nay. Oh, well. Watch this space for details.
PS: A lot of LJers I know are from PESIT, no doubt proving the Philistine Prophecy and that This Was Meant To Be.
The catch? Apart from the risks associated with any startup, there is a fairly big problem. The office is within the PESIT campus, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of Mysore. 25 km from my house, or in Bangalore terms, almost two hours away. One way.
I need to decide pretty soon - in a day or two at most. My friend says this would only be for six months and they will move office once they have enough cash to afford a different place. I'm not sure what to make of that. Six months could turn out to be more, especially since they are getting a good deal at PESIT.
I've been running this over my mind for more than a week now and haven't come to a firm decision yet. One day it's yay, another nay. Oh, well. Watch this space for details.
PS: A lot of LJers I know are from PESIT, no doubt proving the Philistine Prophecy and that This Was Meant To Be.
This is always a tough decision. I remember the time when hubby was in a similar state 2 years ago - when he decided to quit the ad agency and open up one of his own, along with a partner.
ReplyDeleteI think with all the changes that you've mentioned, maybe, a decent stake in the company will make it all the more worthwhile...:) just a thought...you know best.
:o An aye would mean you would be a CEO/CTO kind soon. Wow! I think that would be great.
ReplyDeletethe only thing i would ask you to make sure is that PESIT has no role in it.
ReplyDeletethey did have a role in many such places that came there and most of them were doomed.
If it is only six months and the rest of the entreprenurial baggage doesn't scare you, why not?
ReplyDeleteHmm. Thanks, you bring up an interesting point.
ReplyDeleteOh no, nothing so glamorous. Sorry if I gave that impression.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they do. This is just office space.
ReplyDeleteAlmost 2.5 hours taken away from my time at home each day. That's what's worrying me.
ReplyDeletebut only for six months right?
ReplyDeleteYeah. But there's no guarantee that the six won't become 12, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am talking to him again tonight. Let's see.
hmmm, again I also assumed you were going to have an ownership stake as well. Without that, it's just another job no? One that is far away, that too.
ReplyDeleteNot unless you count 0.1% as ownership, yeah.
ReplyDelete2 hour everyday is crazy. If you do plan to work, then you might wanna consider moving to a rented place near that area. Else it will be crazy for sure.
ReplyDeleteAlso as vineeth mentioned, make sure pesit does not have anything to do with it. THey usually have something or the other assiciated with the companies that work out of there.
My wife spoke about moving, but I don't want to do that. Not after buying a house, settling in, etc. Let me see if I can work out a deal wherein I get in late and leave early, heh heh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip re. PESIT
Been through 2 startups. Stuff like travel, 6/7 day weeks etc are normal and not something you can write off. They will be around. Deal is whats in it for you? If the opportunity is exciting and something you always wanted to do, and you feel you'd be kicked about creating something yourself, and I must say thats a great 'high', go for it.
ReplyDeleteOfcourse you will have to weigh the commercials and the pressure on the family. Another very important thing is to look at the funding status. It is imperative that either that have raised enough capital or else they are well networked and credible to raise money soon. Trust me, startups burn more money than planned, especially since spending money comes more naturally than earning.
Thanks. They do appear well networked and have cash to last for a couple of years. Or so it seems.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm inclining towards a Yes.