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Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

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Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#11

Post by tstegart »

cschneid wrote: post #6
tstegart wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But isn't the core Web 2.0 mentality really that monetary costs have been drastically lowered and location doesn't matter? There are successful companies all over the world founded in spare time on barebones budgets. Middle America can't be that bad, can it?

You're right, the business costs are much cheaper than other business options. But of course, I still want to eat, and have a roof, and basically not suffer. That still costs money. I'm certainly not just sitting back and doing nothing, instead I'm searching for that idea that really grabs me, and will keep me going in my free time. The idea for a part time business needs to be more engaging and interesting than a fu…

You're right about everything costing money, and the guy who said he didn't have enough reserve money saved up is spot on. I got ideas, but even I can't just quit my job and go. Seriously, YC should open a dorm room, where they get 6% of anything worked on while they provide room and board. :) An entrepreneur hostel.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#13

Post by tstegart »

allenbrunson wrote: post #9
tstegart wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thats funny, I have lots of ideas that would make great businesses, and the passion to work on them, but I don't know any kick-ass web developers. You just don't meet them in my line of work.

it's almost a cliche around these parts, but still a useful metric: if you're going to do a startup, you need a steve jobs and a steve wozniak. you sound like a jobs, so you need a woz. as it happens, this very community is teeming with them. i am myself a woz, but not the type you're looking for. web-dev does not come naturally to me. i prefer writing programs the old-fashioned way.

teeming you say? I just might put the word out.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#14

Post by jackchristopher »

bookhuddle wrote: post #4

Everyone has their own reasons, I'm sure. Here are some that come to mind: - They don't have an idea for a startup - They've never thought about entrepreneurship - They don't know how to go about doing it - They might be afraid to try - They just don't feel like it; the commitment involved is not appealing to them - They have other interests in life that are more important to them - Their life situation prevents them…

Because it's scary to try anything new. And finding a problem you're passionate about is hard.

Practical matters are much easier.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#16

Post by auston »

dangoldin wrote: post #10
auston wrote: post #8

I am not making the leap because I don't have enough reserve money saved up.

I'm in the same boat but I'm wondering whether I ever will. I gave myself a self imposed deadline so hopefully I have enough by then!

That's a good step. I'm setting a goal of how much money I need to feel secure and pursue the idea instead of a deadline because I can always develop it (part time) in the mean time.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#17

Post by ALee »

Ambition and Perseverance.

The way that one of the RescueTime founders described his YC class was:

"I’ve been damn impressed with the other YC founders, but they aren’t that much better than many of the great coders I’ve worked with. They’re just bolder."

http://gigaom.com/2008/04/02/ycombinator/

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#18

Post by felideon »

A lot of people don't make the leap because they're afraid of the risks associated with not having a stable income. A lot of developers working day jobs would at least like to match their current salary if not more to account for the risk.

This becomes a bigger problem along the years, since you're more likely to have a higher salary that would be a lot harder to match with just seed funding.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#19

Post by mrtron »

auston wrote: post #8

I am not making the leap because I don't have enough reserve money saved up.

How much is enough?

It is really hard to justify quitting and not bringing in any money regardless of how much you have in the bank and how much you spend per month.

Ie. is 24 x monthly expenses enough?

Even once you have enough saved up shutting down that influx of cash is hard.

Re: Ask HN: Why don't more web developers found startups?

#20

Post by bapbap »

tstegart wrote: post #3
cschneid wrote: post #2

The reason I haven't made the leap is pretty simple: money and location. I currently work for a large corporation, making money, and slowly saving, but it's not very fast. I can't support myself for more than a few months before being forced to work again. So, if I want to do a startup, I need an angel investor to fund me. That brings me to the second problem, I'm tied down into middle america. I love the city I'm in…

Thats funny, I have lots of ideas that would make great businesses, and the passion to work on them, but I don't know any kick-ass web developers. You just don't meet them in my line of work.

Care to share?! I'd love just one good idea to sink my teeth into.

I'm a web developer and I've ran small online businesses in the past but they were service businesses. I don't have any great ideas for a cool web app, even though I can build one.

That's my reason at least.

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