Comment by dalerus | Hacker News Reader

Comment by dalerus | Hacker News Reader

Having bootstrapped a couple of times:

1) I would double your estimated time to build. Worst case, think it would take 9-12 months.

2) Personally, I wouldn't get too into the finances of my co-founder. I'd just want to know that what are bringing (financially, sweat equity, and/or key industry knowledge) are equal. If I'm bringing 50K, my partner should too.

But to answer your question, if I was that co-founder, I would. I would look at paying off the debt and lowering the overall amount we needed to get to MVP.

3) Numbers look more than reasonable. Actually, I know a lot of people that would never have that much to bring to their own startup.

4) Don't touch the 401(k) or Roth.

Are you sure you need all this money and time to get your MVP ready? If you're bootstrapping, why not stay at your current roles and code in the mornings, evenings, or weekends?

Get your MVP done, get it into the hands of customers, and see if you find a fit. I'm not sure you need all that time and money...

> I'd just want to know that what are bringing (financially, sweat equity, and/or key industry knowledge) are equal.

My cofounder has several more years of work experience, and more closely focused on mathematics and machine learning. I have some experience in these fields, but am more of a general software engineer. Because I am bringing the money to the table, we intend to make the equity split 51/49 in my favor.

> Are you sure you need all this money and time to get your MVP ready? If you're bootstrapping, why not stay at your current roles and code in the mornings, evenings, or weekends?

We are currently working nights and weekends and making good progress. We both work very fast-paced, demanding jobs in Silicon Valley, which makes it hard to sustain our current pace without burning out.

> Don't touch the 401(k) or Roth.

Would you suggest that instead of cannibalizing our existing funds, that we just stop contributing to our 401(k)s and save more cash for our startup? Or should we continue to save for retirement at our previous pace?

> Get your MVP done, get it into the hands of customers, and see if you find a fit. I'm not sure you need all that time and money...

I am definitely in favor of doing this, but like you pointed out, the MVP could take twice as long even when working full time.

Divide the company 50/50. Share success and failure equally. At 51/49 less than full commitment is structurally expressed both for the minority partner and the controlling one.

You're better off not contributing but recording what contribution value you're missing.

Every dollar removed from the 401k costs a significant amount due to taxes and penalty. If you can, always avoid taking money out.

> My cofounder has several more years of work experience, and more closely focused on mathematics and machine learning. I have some experience in these fields, but am more of a general software engineer. Because I am bringing the money to the table, we intend to make the equity split 51/49 in my favor.

Cool, as long as you both feel the even contribution. The 51/49 will also only work if you're both clear that the 51% has the deciding vote on disagreements. Otherwise, just a 50/50 split.

> We are currently working nights and weekends and making good progress. We both work very fast-paced, demanding jobs in Silicon Valley, which makes it hard to sustain our current pace without burning out.

Sure, I get that. Just make sure you're setting up times to talk to investors now. Showing your progress and trying to get customers.

> Would you suggest that instead of cannibalizing our existing funds, that we just stop contributing to our 401(k)s and save more cash for our startup? Or should we continue to save for retirement at our previous pace?

I'm never a fan of holding off on saving for retirement. Keep putting it in if you can afford it.

> I am definitely in favor of doing this, but like you pointed out, the MVP could take twice as long even when working full time.

True and you will know best of the time frames here. I have no idea what you are building. ;)

Because I am bringing the money to the table, we intend to make the equity split 51/49 in my favor.

This is a not a great reason. I like 51/49 for the CEO, the real leader of the company. The person who will be the one pushing the other when everyone else wants to quit. The one who is biased for action. The passionate one.

I'm guessing you already know that, it's just the way you phrased it that wasn't perfect.

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