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Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#171

Post by brudgers »

jacquesm wrote: post #141

To the naysayers in this thread: You have several options here other than just saying 'oohhh, this is mean and nasty'. - match the offer with a better one, so all those that would take up the OP would flock to you instead - build your MVP, keep 100% and then do your own marketing. $5000 for 50% difference but you get to do all the work. Either one of those would be so much more effective than just berating the OP or…

The precedent of a questionable value proposition by an anonymous member raises the question, are caveat emptor funding offers beneficial to the HN community?

Logical assumptions lead to a plausible candidate - but that's not identity.

Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#173

Post by brudgers »

tyang wrote: post #167
jacquesm wrote: post #141

To the naysayers in this thread: You have several options here other than just saying 'oohhh, this is mean and nasty'. - match the offer with a better one, so all those that would take up the OP would flock to you instead - build your MVP, keep 100% and then do your own marketing. $5000 for 50% difference but you get to do all the work. Either one of those would be so much more effective than just berating the OP or…

Exactly. This is great, out-of-the box thinking by the OP. Anyone who want to do something like this (esp. the OP and jacquesm), please connect with me on LinkedIn: Terrence C. Yang, mentor, angel.

Despite my 'naysaying,' I recognize the value of the idea as an MVP. However, I believe that the HN community is well served by vetting this particular offer.

Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#175

Post by brudgers »

benologist wrote: post #168
brudgers wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a good argument except it depends on: (a) one person being able to do the job of the entire YC team. (b) that person having equivalent relationships with additional capital. (c) one might make the case that the relationships to capital must be better because ventures are likely to be located further from conventional sources of capital. 50% equity is a lot to give up for two months of effort unless the other c…

I don't think it's fair to compare it to YC. This looks a lot more like something you would do and then take to YC or other investors.

The comparison is the basis for estimating a rate of success relative to resources available to a company entering the OP's program.

If the OP is investing in only one or two companies at a time, then it is practical for him to participate in YC in his role as cofounder. If it's 25 companies, then it is more difficult.

Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#177

Post by gacba »

jeremyarussell wrote: post #49
hmexx wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If interested, drop me a line at hnproject2013@gmail.com If you have questions or HN-style critic on the structure/proposition, write below and help me build proposition version 1.1!

I'd take you up on the offer, but for a couple things. Maybe it just means this isn't for me. 1 - That 50 - 50 split is a killer when I'm doing most of the work. 2 - You talk about taking a month or two and full time working on this project until completion. Trust me when I say I'd love to do that, the issue is I can't just go jump back into the same job as if I didn't ditch everyone here for two months. Like I said…

You might consider that "building the product" is not really "most of the work" here. There are three things:

- Product

- A Market for said product (solving a problem for a customer who has money)

- Getting your Product to that Market and convincing customers you solved their problem

In reality, you are probably doing about 33% of the hard stuff (and the other 66% is hard too, making sure you have the correct MVP and promoting it)

Until you've put a product out there, you don't really know how hard the other two are and how critical they are to the success of your venture. hmexx is offering to do that part for what I consider a reasonable cost to test the waters.

YMMV, of course, and you're free to take on 100% of it all, but reducing risk is how you get a product launched. I personally like hmexx's approach here.

Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#178

Post by [deleted] »

hmexx wrote: post #3
JaneLovesDotNet wrote: post #2

Pre-emptive FAQ: Isn't this a horrible deal? Incubators typically inject more money for far less equity! I earn $10K a month, I could easily save up $8K in a few months, and do this myself for 100% equity. True. If you can get into YCombinator, for example , you should obviously go for it. I can't compete with that. If you're earning $150K+, or you've already been working on your side-project for a year, this may not…

If interested, drop me a line at hnproject2013@gmail.com If you have questions or HN-style critic on the structure/proposition, write below and help me build proposition version 1.1!

[deleted]

Re: Proposition HN: I will pay $8000 for you to build your side-project/MVP

#180

Post by phereford »

I don't at all understand why people are berating this proposition.

This proposition makes a helluva lot of sense.

I have done the hustling/marketing side of a startup. I got my failed (sigh) startup lots of good press and lots of users.

I would venture to say that I probably put in more work than any developer on my team at that point.

Now, I am a hacker but I 100% fully understand the value he is putting down. He will be just as invested in your MVP as you will be. His sole job is something you never have to worry about. Maybe he doesnt hold his end up of the bargain, which may happen. If that does happen, well make sure there is a clause in whatever agreement you sign.

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