This time, to solve a problem that I've wanted to see solved for a long time. Hope I'm not the only one.
Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
11–20 of 25 posts
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#12[deleted]
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#13fixing common problem.
Shoe polish selling nice cars with phone numbers.
I am making a way to connect those people with buyers in a nicer way including a website. I can beat ebay and local newspaper.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#14Because I would rather work to make myself rich then to make some shareholder of a corporation richer.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#15For me, it's not the money or prestige, it's because of how good the constant desire and pressure to innovate feels.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#16I have to ask - for those of you who work full-time at a company- what do you guys think of the Intellectual Property/Employee work agreements (that you probably signed on your 1st day) - are you worried that if your idea is good enough the company will claim ownership of your work, your idea even if you (wisely) did not work on it during company time or equipment?
I am working to sell (not financially, but buy-in) a startup-type project to my company. It might involve developing the prototype and emotionally selling the prototype to key individuals. But if that happens, then I'll be able to work on it officially.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#17For the money, the respect, the fun, to change the world, and to avoid pointy-haired bosses (and a few more reasons). Why would there be a single (or even a handful) of reasons? I wouldn't believe anyone who says: - I don't care about the money (even if they were already rich - all the wealthy people I know want to get richer!) - I don't care about being respected (everyone wants to be respected) - I don't want to ha…
I agree with you, I meant which are the main reasons.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#18I have to ask - for those of you who work full-time at a company- what do you guys think of the Intellectual Property/Employee work agreements (that you probably signed on your 1st day) - are you worried that if your idea is good enough the company will claim ownership of your work, your idea even if you (wisely) did not work on it during company time or equipment? I am working to sell (not financially, but buy-in) a…
I don't like those agreements, but luckily I have an employer that was willing to rework the agreement with me to a way that favors both of us. We changed the wording to cover that which relates to actual work done for my employer, in effort to lessen the likelihood of them trying to claim something unrelated to their business. Our agreement explicitly assigns to me the ownership of the project I began before taking employment with them. Much better than the "we own you and your mind" approach.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#19Because I've said, "Who wrote this sht?!?" 342,864 times.
Every time I had to maintain someone's else's crappy software, I've said things like:
"I can do better than that. Way better."
"Why would anyone buy this &#@^&^?"
"People shouldn't have to suffer with this."
"If other hackers only knew how to x, y, or z, then it wouldn't have to be this way."
"I really oughta quit working on other people's crap and do it right."
I'm finally putting my money where my mouth is. Money and employee status have little to do with it (although they're nice). Now is my chance to get these great software ideas out of my head and into other people's lives.
Re: Ask YC: Why have/will you build an startup?
#20For me, its 'Why not?' The way I look at it, big companies will always be there, and if you realize that a startup isn't for you, there will be a ton of companies waiting to hire you. But the experience of building something you are truly passionate about, filling a need that exists, without the politics of a big company is something that I don't want to pass up.