Wtf. How do I learn to raise 10 million? And after 3 years they have no compelling product or revenue? Can you tell me how your co founder did it?
Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
11–20 of 32 posts
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#12Wtf. How do I learn to raise 10 million? And after 3 years they have no compelling product or revenue? Can you tell me how your co founder did it?
Write the magic letters A and I on every slide of your pitch deck.
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#13My mental model would be to decompose it into 3 dimensions and try to find some kind of superposition.
Dimension 1 - are you enjoying your work? Is your work meaninful? How does it affect your mental and physical health (either way)?
Dimension 2 - what are potential career opportunities if you continue with this company? Will you have a multi-digit exit? What are the chances? Again, how does it affect your mental and physical health (either way)?
Dimension 3 - can you continue and mend relationship with your cofounder? Is it a personal conflict or different world views? Can you change to accommodate their view? And, again how does it affect your mental and physical health (either way)?
Make an Euclidean sum of these vectors and see where it leaves you. Nothing is more important than health, but startups (and relationships) are often hard and grueling work, perhaps you enjoy it but need to put in the effort? Or you hate it and stay there out of guilt? Quantify and figure it out. Best of luck!
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#14I have not raised VC yet in my life but if I worked on a business for 3.5 years, burnt over $3,000,000 and have almost 0 revenue with multiple pivots, I would fold it, return the remaining cash back to investors, thank them for the support and take a couple of months off to clear my brain. The problem is you still have no traction or considerable revenue to show after 3.5 years. That right there to me says that it's…
Plenty of success stories start this way. Unfortunately, since it makes it impossible to really determine what to do in such a situation.
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#15As someone else said, why did you raise $10m but only spend $3m? Presumably at least some of that extra $7m could be used for marketing, sales, partnerships, etc. to get more users and ultimately revenue, even if it requires another round to get to profitability.
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#16I hope I don't sound rude, but... It seems you got lucky! You raised all this money without having the courage to do something simple, like talking with the people who footed the bill and your cofounder. How's that even possible? You don't have an obligation to your team or anybody. Imagine if, instead, you make them waste a few years with you when you no longer believe in this business. This is much worse. In my vie…
They're making digital infrastructure that other startups those VCs fund will be able to use, maaan.
It's hilarious, I can't even... only happens in America. Get $10m and no pressure for revenues
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#17Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#18i'd get out. if you're fed up with your cofounder at this point and doubting the product, it's over
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#19why are you releasing new versions of a product without any customers or revenue.
Re: Ask HN: Should I stay at my default dead startup or go and do something else?
#20How much work did you do to validate the idea? Don't just ask people "Would you use this?" They will disproportionately say yes, because people like to be polite.
Instead, you could ask "What problems do you face? What solutions have you tried? How effective are those solutions?" If someone has not tried to solve their problem, they're not gonna care about your solution. If someone has tried to solve their problem and failed, then you know you have a killer painpoint.