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Comment by mesozoic | Hacker News Reader

If they are non technical and don't have the hustle and flow skills then what exactly would they be bringing to a startup generally?

Assuming of course it's not money cause money solves most problems.

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I'm really not a big fan of the technical/nontechnical distinction. Here's a better idea: Be a useful co-founder. In your example, it would appear that our subject is not skilled, so the first thing they need to do is develop an edge that will allow them to be of use to a company.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/08/thoughts-from-a-former-busi...

I don't usually come across helpful posts on TC, but this one caught my eye. Basically, if you look like the stereotypical idea guy/gal, you need to put the startup dreams aside for a bit, work at an established company, gain some experience, and, here it comes, develop skills.

Now, I'd argue this guy (the TC guy) is spreading himself a bit too thin, but the idea of being the utility player on the team is pretty good. When combined with your work experience, you might be an attractive candidate. Go a step beyond that by following OP's advice and, you know, actually build something.

It doesn't need to be a home run, but it should speak for itself, and when you have something, anything really, that speaks for itself, you're in pretty good shape.

Potentially domain knowledge, contacts, access, name...

Whether they are what is required will depend on the situation.

Contacts/access/name are useless if that's the primary skill someone brings. If you are an intelligent engineer, a few months in the Bay Area will get you contacts with investors. A great product will also get you contacts and access.

Domain knowledge is useful, however (i.e. a lawyer at a startup doing online legal documents).

I wouldn't put too much weight on general contacts/access/name either but if they are relevant to the domain and will have access to the target market and publicity in the target market it is worth something. I'm thinking a real leader in the relevant field (not technology start ups but your target market) and even in that case value will depend on the situation.

Contacts/access/name is about more than investors, in some industries that's what you need to reach customers or suppliers.

I put that under "domain expertise."

Whole range of advisory, strategic or research roles perhaps. Roles like these don't necessary require strong soft-skills or sales\marketing chops.

All of which are fairly devoid of utility at an early stage startup. And even for the instances where those roles are useful, it is not anything that anyone with raw analytical brainpower can't do by themselves.

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