Ask HN: Is it worth joining a startup that plans to sell in the next 5 years? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Is it worth joining a startup that plans to sell in the next 5 years?

11 pointsSamuelAdams16 comments

Context: the startup hopes to sell or be acquired in the next 5 years.

Totally depends on the deal.

I was once offered a job with a good, but not great, salary in a geographic region that was lite on IT jobs to which I would have to move.

The plan was for them to sell to a larger company in 2 years at which point any sane buyer would move this remote facility to their HQ.

Based on my equity and they're target sale price I would gross 40k from the sale, IF it ever happened.

No thanks. Maybe 20X that would have made it worth while since I'd be losing about 100k a year in total compensation.

You should have asked for relocation package. So they give you 20k signing bonus and they rent a serviced apartment for you for first 6-12 months? That's reasonable thing to ask for if you are going to relocate to some remote area.

I already had a house in the remote area.

In my experience, very few people have a similar life style to mine, which is to say, complicated. And when explained, most people don't understand how or why I would live like that.

It sounds like you would get 40k cash then but have to look for a new job. I don't see it as a bad deal.

I get what you're saying. So let me add context...

At the time I was making around 200k consulting and those were 40hr weeks.

To take a job at a "startup" that was mature enough to pay me 120k salary but too mature to give me significant equity meant that if all went to plan I would get 120+120+40=280. On top of that I'd be working grueling startup hours.

Vs. 200+200=400 and taking it easy.

The appeal was that the job was in a coastal town where I wanted to live. There are very few IT jobs in that area.

Fast forward 8 years later. I live in the area I wanted, but I had to bank consulting money and gain experience to get to where I can work remotely and still demand a good rate.

How were you able to calculate 40k from the sale? Was it option price versus what they would sell price?

Basically. My vested shares / shares outstanding * sales price. Full vesting on sale.

They were surprisingly open and honest about the raw numbers and then somewhat stunned when I did the math right then and said "That's not much".

Don't most startups have similar hopes?

I am really puzzled about your perspective on job-hunting decisions, such that you see this, and nothing else, as the relevant context which would allow any of us here to give you useful advice.

Depends entirely on the salary, option grant on the table, current 409A valuation, estimated valuation (with numbers to back it up) in five years, vesting schedule, etc. Don't forget to ask for a cap table, ask about liquidation preferences, etc.

Also, if they need you badly enough, make sure to include provisions that if an acquisition event occurs or your role changes materially from what you agreed to, your remaining options vest immediately.

If startup is defined as a business focused on rapid growth and likely VC funded I'd say that is the hope of nearly every one of them.

Would they be a viable business after 5 years in the event they don't get bought? If not, are they banking on the IP being worth something?

Yes! Depends on the company of course but if you have a decent amount of equity it could be profitable for you. And sales don't always mean you're out a job either.

Of course it's a gamble since the company might not be worth anything..

Beyond compensation-- consider how you might be able to leverage the experience you hope to gain to advance your career goals. Will it help you get to the next thing?

Is the broader industry/niche they serve growing?

I don't see why not. You would end up working with the acquiring company. Often post acquisition jobs can be quite good, and it's an easier way to work at something like Microsoft.

Nope. In my opinion, Any startup that has that as their exit strategy is not going to hit it big. They already have a ceiling.

Get vested, then profit on the sale.

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