Background info on me:
- Founded a few companies;some successful, some not
- Mid 30s, 2 kids, wife mortgage, VP job
- Decent 'hacker', former developer, current marketer, not to be trusted with developing solid code base
- Last startup: because of my other obligations I attempted to do everything as solo-founder during evenings and weekends. End results: Nearly 9 months to build useable beta; competitors started popping up around 4 months into my build; by launch, I was exchausted and lost most of my motivation...
TODAY:
I have a idea (probably my best/biggest yet) and am ready to begin prototyping. What I'm trying to decide is this:
I have no cofounder prospects, I still have obligations and while I technically "can" build a working prototype, I'm going to be slower than most / sloppy.
I am willing to commit my own funds; can raise some funds through business development grants/loans/etc.
So, the questions is: Does anyone have advice experience with:
- Outsourcing the development work of a start-up to freelancers or production houses? What are my rights, how exposed to the risk of stolen ideas, etc am I?
- Bringing on an unknown co-founder and/or hiring someone to build this as an employee before I'm even a full-timer...
- Or advice on what you'd do in the same situation.
Would love to discuss and am willing to share as much as possible...
Thanks.
- Last startup: because of my other obligations I attempted to do everything as solo-founder during evenings and weekends. End results: Nearly 9 months to build useable beta; competitors started popping up around 4 months into my build; by launch, I was exchausted and lost most of my motivation...
TODAY:
I have a idea (probably my best/biggest yet) and am ready to begin prototyping. What I'm trying to decide is this:
I have no cofounder prospects, I still have obligations and while I technically "can" build a working prototype, I'm going to be slower than most / sloppy.
I am willing to commit my own funds; can raise some funds through business development grants/loans/etc.
So, the questions is: Does anyone have advice experience with:
- Outsourcing the development work of a start-up to freelancers or production houses? What are my rights, how exposed to the risk of stolen ideas, etc am I?
- Bringing on an unknown co-founder and/or hiring someone to build this as an employee before I'm even a full-timer...
- Or advice on what you'd do in the same situation.
Would love to discuss and am willing to share as much as possible...
Thanks.