What attracts a programmer in a startup?

Question

Startups

Hello! I ran into the problem of finding a programmer for a startup and realized that I am not alone in this world)) There are a lot of startups on the Internet that are looking for programmers. Chatted with some. Who is complaining. Who says that programmers are almost people from another planet and do not understand what they need at all And how could one not appreciate such a cool project. Who says that there are few competent people, but mostly only self-taught people. Who complains about inadequacy and greed. But I'm an old Chekist)) I understood ... I had suggestions that the problem was just in communication.
The first option is not to understand programmers! Complete bullshit. I came across quite understandable and even pleasant people in communication. Well, there are certain technical terms in communication. Sometimes there is a sense of detachment. But it normal. People are all different.
The second is that there are few competent specialists on the market. The same bullshit! Of course, a high-class specialist is unlikely to work for an idea. And this is just right. But it seems to me that a startup does not need a leading Yandex programmer. This is just an opportunity for fans to realize themselves in an interesting project.
And the third - inadequate and greedy. There is already a change in concepts. A programmer does not have to understand business. And by offering a project, as a rule, they offer the opportunity to participate in the business. Of course, it is difficult for a person without special knowledge to analyze the prospect of a project. He can only intuitively feel ... does it make sense to take it or not?
Even taking into account the understanding of these nuances, the question remains: How to interest a programmer in a startup? What should I pay attention to when offering a programmer to become part of a team?

Answer 1

1. A programmer must be a loner and young enough, family people and older people are no longer ready to get involved in such adventures, since statistics clearly tell us that only a tiny fraction of startups eventually shoot - or - have a powerful financial cushion and an understanding family to go for it.
2. If the project seems interesting to you personally, this does not mean that it is interesting to everyone around, all people are different. Therefore, the best startups are companies of friends, where the idea appeared somehow jointly.
3. A lot of startup founders believe that since the idea is theirs, it means that in the end, if everything works out, everything will completely belong to them, and programmers will simply turn into employees. These also go to waste, since an idea without implementation is worth nothing.
4. The programmer must see that the founder of a startup is also on fire with the idea, like him, and plows 24 hours a day. Without this, anyone will think that the creator just wants to cut down the dough and there is nothing to catch here.

Answer 2

The main problem of all "Effective Managers" in startups: they think that programmers - "It's like a cleaner, only the salary is higher and she asks for food."
Most of the "effective managers" I have seen do not want a partner/employee, but a slave. Everyone needs a slave who will work for food 24/7.
Most of the "effective managers" I've seen don't want to do anything. The "idea" comes from them, and the rest must implement and promote it.
You need to look for a partner (for a share in the project) or an employee (fixed salary).
If you are looking for a partner, then be prepared to share responsibilities, and not just throw all the work on him.

Answer 3

Either you have a very cool idea, or you pay the norm. Then you will find a more or less adequate developer for your team.
Why is that? It is interesting to participate in a cool project / light up. If the project is not very good, then at least get money for your work.
Juniors are often willing to participate in a project for experience (and portfolio). Then find a senior or a confident middle in the team, and the juniors will catch up.
Discuss the shares in the company, approach the question from the point of view of the developer - if you were invited to the project, what questions would you like to receive answers to?
Yes, at first, a startup does not need a "development engineer from Yandex", but at least he will correctly design the architecture (and not only) and he will cope with tasks faster than a novice specialist.
Moreover, you can make an MVP yourself, so that later you can show people and test hypotheses. To create an MVP, you do not need knowledge of high matters of various technologies. Landing page, a prototype of a mobile device - there are a lot of designers and others on the net.
That's when there will be an MVP and the first pre-sales, then it already makes sense to look for a developer. Or an investor and order everything from the vendor for the investments received.
The code must be written at the very last moment, when everything is ready for you (hypotheses have been tested, users have been found, etc. in zen).
Then it will be easier to find a developer for the team.

Answer 4

It all depends on what conditions you are going to cooperate.
1) The principle "customer - contractor". A person who works for you for money. In this case, you act as a customer, about a programmer as an executor. A clear division of tasks, a clear estimate of the execution time, payment terms. Requirements must be clearly articulated and evaluated in terms of both time and money. For money, people will be more willing to work, but again, not for long, because at a certain point everything becomes boring, and there is a decline in progress.
2) The principle of "share in the project". This approach is very similar to the "customer-executor" option. The only condition for cooperation will be a share of the future project. Again, everything is stipulated and perhaps there is even a document with conditions. Since, for example, at a certain point in time, difficulties arose (part of the team left, the idea was outdated, a bunch of analogues appeared), how will you disagree with him. Just don't say "Bye" yet, because time has been wasted.
3) The principle "For the sake of interest". It’s a little easier here, because everyone understands that it’s possible that nothing will work out (I don’t take the option when there is already an investor on the project, the project stage is Start). Everyone works for the idea and believe in success. But with this approach, there should be a project engine, a person-manager who will motivate everyone for success. Will find an individual approach to all project participants. For the sake of interest, people will work for a while. Usually no more than 4-5 months, then they will simply start to fall off if there is no result.
4) The principle of "Free Style". I would say this approach is doomed to failure, BUT there is still such an option. Everyone is free and works when there is time and desire, no one will be beaten in the neck, and the project will be "somehow" done. But again, if there is motivation, then there will be a result.
PS You can find programmers for the project, the main thing is to find a programmer who will share your ideas - a colleague. In this case, he will work 100% and he will not need to explain 100 times why it should be this way and not otherwise (but don’t ignore his thoughts, maybe he has a super-genius idea for your project). Do not waste time on useless people, the project will only suffer from this as a result. So that it does not turn out like in a fable, that everyone sees everything in their own way. In order to interest anyone, you need to clearly understand what you are going to create and what goals you are pursuing and have clearly defined stages of launching and exiting the project. It is even possible to write a simple sound business plan, this will definitely be a plus. Roughly speaking - to present your idea.
In general, do not give up, look for the right people, and everything will work out.
Good luck! Earn! =)

Answer 5

Let's just say... programmers are allergic to such projects. I can’t say anything about you specifically, and therefore I won’t. Just climb the forums of programmers - all the forums are littered with a bunch of schoolchildren with their ideas "to make a game in which they rob cows and gafics like in a cruise" or "beginning businessmen" with suggestions like "I have an idea to do something here - I'll sit on the sidelines for now , and you do it, and then if there is a profit, you will have a percentage" and other "geniuses" who, apart from the idea, have nothing (and most likely will not). Well, they didn't have a budget. Everything is like "do it, we will unwind, and there you will have a percentage." Only once I met guys who at least had something to show (a crooked, unfinished demo in the form of a clearing with a tower,

Answer 6

First of all, a person must be interested. If a programmer is not interested in the topic of a startup, then he will not participate in it in any way.
The programmer must clearly see the goals and benefits of this startup. Plus, the programmer must evaluate in which team he will work. There should always be a leader in the team who can help with both advice and deed.
If you want to recruit a team of programmers, then it is better to recruit them based on reviews and, of course, do not offend with money. After all, if a programmer is interested in the project and he is not offended with money, then he will work hard

Answer 7

A "white" salary with a clear salary part, a normal employment contract and a job description - this is quite enough.

Answer 8

What is the fundamental difference between a programmer in a startup and a designer/accountant/database designer/business analyst? You need to essentially convince any of these people to work "for the idea."
start with the details of the project. if the project boils down to "it will be possible to rob caravans" - first find a game designer.
By the way - the answer to the topic's question. What attracts?
Options, IMHO, exactly 2.
1. Idea. The author of a startup captivates with the idea, burns with it himself - and ignites others. Totally irrational. From the realm of faith. Requires pumped charisma.
2. Opportunity for growth. The project is designed in such a way that the programmer sees an opportunity to learn / replenish the portfolio. Requires considerable knowledge from the initiator of the project.
For my taste - the second option is preferable. More likely to take off.

Answer 9

Finding the right person is very important in any business.
Programmers tend to be somewhat skeptical, especially those who have already worked in startups for food. Look for a programmer who has experience and some social status (wealth) coupled with free time.

Answer 10

What to interest a programmer in a startup? What should I pay attention to when offering a programmer to become part of a team?

If you are not going to pay wages, the situation is extremely difficult. There is no way to guarantee development over time. An important factor may also be the lack of professionalism of the founders in the eyes of the developers, as well as the absence of cool specialists already participating in the team.
That is, it is theoretically possible to assemble a team for "work after work", but they will soon gather on the basis of the main developer, and will cut their idea.
On the other hand, no investor would certainly look at a project without a team at the idea stage. Therefore, you need to find a way to create an MVP.
The fact that at first you can get by with an unimportant level of programming - this is your position that also scares off investors) This means that they will have to pay for refactoring or a new implementation, and again there is no sensible team.
Perhaps there is an option to test the idea with the help of outsourcing

Answer 11

To be honest, I am not a supporter of attracting employees for a percentage of the company's shares. A person can be an awesome programmer and at the same time a worthless leader or partner. To each his own, as they say) The easiest way is to hire a person for a salary. If you want to save on salaries, then there is a life hack - look for a dude from the region and offer him a remote job with official employment. In my home region, the salary of a programmer is 3 times lower than in Moscow, which is at least + complete lack of alternatives in terms of work. But there is a technical university that churns out personnel for Moscow

Answer 12

The first option is not to understand programmers!

Experienced programmers during their lives so many times engaged in the discussion of those. tasks that have already fully learned to speak ordinary human language. ))))
A sure sign is not enough for your task as a competent programmer - that you do not understand it. This means that he is not able to work without a qualified specialist standing above him (technical leader, architect, project manager with technical skills, etc.). That is, you will need a translator))) A certain senior programmer who understands you and translates everything into the language of someone with whom you cannot agree on your own.
The second is that there are few competent specialists on the market. The same bullshit! Of course, a high-class specialist is unlikely to work for an idea.
Of course, there are many specialists, but there are few especially competent among them, this is normal in any field.
For most projects, a "star" specialist is not needed - I agree. But you will appreciate the qualifications?
The problem also lies in the fact that .... But let me tell you how one of my acquaintances has already ruined 2 of his startups: he gives a task to a programmer, the programmer says - I will do it, and he cannot. There is funding, everything is fine, this is not work for an idea. Can not. Not the same qualification. But the programmer does not talk about it, does not admit it. And the start-up customer does not understand why it does not work for six months. Drains a lot of money, misses the market and closes projects.
The second thing I disagree with is that experienced specialists have a high enough income to be able to work for an idea. And they are interested in doing something interesting. So I wouldn't discount them.
Not about that at all.
A good complex project is a lot of time.
If you do it for money, you'll put in a lot of money.
An adequate programmer understands how much he will have to work. And naturally wants compensation.
This is not greed. It's just that complex projects really cost a lot.
I am personally lucky that I can implement my projects on my own.
Without this, I would never have done anything.
Even taking into account the understanding of these nuances, the question remains: How to interest a programmer in a startup? What should I pay attention to when offering a programmer to become part of a team?
1. A normal programmer who can really solve your problems, and will not overwhelm the entire project with his technical incompetence - is busy. And he makes good money.
2. I have nothing against novice programmers. But, as a rule, they barely have enough money to make ends meet in life, where can they take on a project that will take a lot of time and will not give money for a long time.
On Habré / Geek / Brain and on VC there are a lot of articles about these pitfalls. There conclusions are as follows (without going into nuances), if globally assessed:
You need a programmer.
You are not a programmer.
After that, the behavior of programmers becomes clear: sometimes they become interested in the project, they light up, but in fact they do nothing, merge, mow, they want money, they want a lot of money...
You just can't imagine how many "brilliant" ideas that are offered by the programmer for implementation. Despite the fact that the "genius thinker" does not agree to be stingy with anything - do not waste your time, or take a loan (why not take something, after all, the idea is VERNYAK? Or, nevertheless, not sure?))))) nothing at all make. You see, he CANNOT, because he DOESN'T understand it.
For example, I can be interested in an interesting idea, in order to solve it you need to step up technologically, for which you ALREADY HAVE a resource. Not necessarily money. Well, for example, I'm drinking software, and at that time you are running without tiring through potential customers, making connections, etc. etc.

Answer 13

Programmers now have a lot of good work without you. Skilled people have plenty of high-paying jobs.
https://vc.ru/p/hiring-a-developer
https://vc.ru/p/cofounder

If you are a marketer, show a Facebook page with 10,000 likes for your idea. If sales - signed contracts for the purchase of a product that does not yet exist. If you are under 17 years old, tell us what successful projects you have already done, albeit as a hired employee.

Answer 14

Hello! I ran into the problem of finding a programmer for a startup and realized that I am not alone in this world)) There are a lot of startups on the Internet that are looking for programmers. Chatted with some. Who is complaining. Who says that programmers are almost people from another planet and do not understand what they need at all And how could one not appreciate such a cool project.

For the typical programmer, cool projects are offered regularly. And everyone wants us to do them for free. How is their/your cool project cooler than a dozen other "very cool" ones that I have been offered over the past couple of years?
In the cheap price segment, yes.
Now there is a lot of work for programmers. Full of high paying jobs for programmers. Where is the greed here? This is the market.
Skilled programmers simply would not be able to gain such qualifications if they did not participate in different projects.
Therefore, experienced programmers communicate quite normally.
If a person does not understand you, takes the conversation into unknown technical distances and does not return back - this is an unqualified specialist (more precisely, this is a medium-skilled specialist who can only work under the supervision of an experienced programmer who will explain everything to him in a language he understands)
I would not trust those who are ready to work for an idea - after all, you need to eat every day. Highly qualified, to eat enough to earn a little bit. A low-skilled person will have to work 90% of the time a month to eat and only 10% to pay attention to you.
But there is a downside - the highly skilled often already have children they need to support.
Any complex project is a huge amount of work. Well, taking into account that a qualified specialist already has a lot of work, it is obvious that no one will give you a discount.
Manufacturability. Innovations. Modern methods.

Answer 15

Hello! I faced the problem of finding a programmer for a startup and realized that I am not alone in this world))

And then.
a programmer is a profession in great demand, even despite the global crisis.
The answer is simple.
Programmers now have too many alternative proposals.
And there are few projects with serious funding.
There are few cool projects. Well if 1 out of 100.
Self-taught self-taught strife.
I am also self-taught. At the university, I already taught my teachers new principles and methods in programming (OOP, if that tells you something).
High demand.
I am a programmer myself and hired programmers.
Even students already want big money, although they still do not know how to do anything and do not yet bring economic benefits to the company.