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Ask HN: Can anyone help a starving programmer?

24 pointssadyoungman17 comments

Hi guys,

I'm a programmer from London who's working on a Startup with my cofounder. We have been covered by a few big tech blogs and you've probably heard of us. We're in the process of getting funding but, I am about to become homeless and need somewhere to stay.

I am willing to give you 5% of the company as well as £100 per month for you to let me crash on your couch/spare room whilst I write code for our web app. Don't worry, we are not another photo sharing app. We are building a real business that deals with a real world need, will be profitable from day one and we've landed a big brand you've heard of to our list of clients. We've have a large waiting list of emails and all that is left to do is for us to launch publicly and I'm almost finished on the backend.

Anyone who wants to know more email me at: hackerhelp123@gmail.com

This company will be a success; my life depends on it. I don't see this as charity as I honestly believe that the 5% will be worthwhile in the near future.

Thanks in advance

> This company will be a success; my life depends on it.

Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Statements like this are not healthy.

Failing at a startup -- or any other business venture -- doesn't mean you're personally a failure. The number of startups that fail is huge -- especially if count ambiguous success cases like radical pivots or acquihires.

The fact that you're doing a startup at all means you've already differentiated yourself from a lot of programmers out there.

"We have been covered by a few big tech blogs and you've probably heard of us. "

...so why the cloak-and-dagger routine?

1) It would damage their image if public. Bad PR

2) Becoming homeless + beeing dependant on others is already embarrassing enough, don't you think?

3) Privacy.

4) If you were in Germany I'd probably give you a stay

Thanks! Good to know there are kind people out there

Just moved to Amsterdam from East London, sorry fella otherwise I'd have gladly offered you some accom.

TBH that sounds like a bad idea for any number of reasons.

Presumably you have some kind of credit history, why not just get a loan for a couple of grand to cover you for a few months until you get funding (or borrow it off a friend) ?

I like this http://couchsurfing.org

Try Couchsurfing. Might also get a few hits there..

yes I was going to say that also! Anyways I once (like 2yrs) ago stayed in a hostel in london cant remeber the name but anyways it was filled with young people 20-30 and some of them worked a few days per week for free accomodation and food. Mabye you can try that? Also dont let your pride get in the way I was once stranded in nyc. To make a long story short your friends and family really will help you or at least some of them will. Hope that helps. Ill try to look up the name of the hostel

Palmer lodge swiss cottage. I dont know if they still do this but I would give it a shot. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your help. I know my struggle won't be permanent, I just need a place to sleep whilst me & my cofounder get this thing off the ground

I'd try couchsurfing first! :)

Whereabouts in London ideally?

Ideally near the silicon roundabout. But, I am flexible

If you find yourself in the Maryland area (by accident or on purpose), you're welcome to stay with me gratis. No equity needed.

Best of luck.

Thank you very much

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