Re:Ask HN: Have any of you quit your job to explore startup ...
by code_devil on Sunday July 09, 2023 @01:20AM
(#36651775)
Yes. You need a clear focus and direction. Although a 3-6 months break is more than enough to find out if you want to start a company or just want “more” free time to experiment with technology ideas. I think I am more in the second camp.
Re:Ask HN: Have any of you quit your job to explore startup ...
by quantum_mind on Sunday July 09, 2023 @01:27PM
(#36656544)
Thank you for sharing this! Appreciate your advice.
Even though AI is hot, I think, raising a 2M+ seed round in the current market still requires having a prototype and some paying customers (or LOI), especially for the first time founders.
At the end of the day, the goal is to build a strong business so your earlier point about having a clear vision of the initial product before jumping ship makes sense.
Even if you later pivot that’s fine, but you need direction, otherwise you’ll flounder along until your funds runs out.
Many years back I saved up over one year of runway, quit my job and started working on software tools I wanted to write. I had a clear vision of what I wanted to make and successfully executed on it - and even though those tools still brings in income today, it was never enough to support me financially and so I branched out in to contracting and then for the last few years have gone back to full time employment.
Most startups fail. Without knowing what you want to do, how will you know what to execute on?
Otherwise it just sounds like you’re sick of your job and just want to do something else - that attitude won’t get you far in startup land.
That said, AI is hot right now so maybe you could still raise a 2M seed round anyway.