A couple of questions I've found helpful when talking to startups are as follows:
1) What is the funding situation like - specifically, how much capital is available, is any of it tied to contingencies (i.e. hitting a sales number), what are your plans for getting more if it runs out/is there investor interest in giving you more?
2) When do you expect to be cash-flow positive? (incoming cash >= expenses)
3) What's your burn rate? More specifically, given the current rate of cash burn, when is drop dead?
4) When do you anticipate being able to make a decision on whether to bring me on full time if I join you as a contract-to-hire worker?
5) What's the duration of the contract and what are the renewal options if we don't go full time hire?
1) What is the funding situation like - specifically, how much capital is available, is any of it tied to contingencies (i.e. hitting a sales number), what are your plans for getting more if it runs out/is there investor interest in giving you more? 2) When do you expect to be cash-flow positive? (incoming cash >= expenses) 3) What's your burn rate? More specifically, given the current rate of cash burn, when is drop dead? 4) When do you anticipate being able to make a decision on whether to bring me on full time if I join you as a contract-to-hire worker? 5) What's the duration of the contract and what are the renewal options if we don't go full time hire?