Joel Spolsky

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bio website joelonsoftware.com
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visits member for 3 years, 8 months
seen May 3 at 14:25
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92 Comments

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Mar
30
 comment We are 4 tech guys that have almost a MVP for our project, would it be good to apply for an incubator?
Which is the incubator? Without knowing that it's hard to give you an answer as to whether it's worth it. The very best incubators (Y Combinator, TechStars) are probably worth it. The worst incubators (won't name names) are certainly not. The vast middle are only worth it if you are sure that they have something that you need.
Mar
29
 comment Angel or VC wants to invest, what are main arguments to negotiate shares vs investment?
I don't really understand what you're asking exactly... Can you edit your question to make it a little bit clearer what you're looking for from us? thanks!
Mar
29
 comment Question regarding contracts for unpaid work
An NDA is a non-disclosure agreement, which means they agree not to reveal your corporate secrets. There's nothing wrong with asking for that, but I don't think it is relevant to the question.
Mar
21
 comment I was fired and the company is planning on selling immediately after my shares expire
I agree with this; if your options have fully vested you should be able to execute them, after which you will outright own the shares. One thing I would add; if the company is sleazy enough to delay a sale just to cheat you out of your options, they're likely to find other legal loopholes to cheat you out of your shares, so if there is a lot of money at stake, now would be an excellent time to hire a lawyer.
Mar
21
 comment What is a lead investor?
(2) is not strictly correct - the other investors will have already joined in by the time the raise is announced. (4) is not really correct either; it is unlikely Google cares who invested in you and I don't see what it has to do with market analysts.
Mar
21
 comment Should I bring in a co-founder, or hire?
That is, unfortunately, not a very easy question to answer. It's the kind of thing where everyone will have their own opinion, and nobody knows you well enough or knows enough about your situation to provide a definitive answer.
Mar
19
 comment Receiving non-qualified stock options before a startup has a valuation
it may be guesswork, but it will satisfy the IRS if it's guesswork prepared in a disciplined way by a reputable 409a valuation firm
Feb
18
 comment Whats best MVP on Mobile app with a local developer or web app with outsourcing team?
What's the question?
Feb
18
 comment Share ownership in software spinoff
unfortunately that's kind of like the question "How long is a string..." the only possible answer is, it depends.
Feb
16
 comment What options are best offered to investors?
That's not technically true. Ownership and control are two different concepts. It is possible to own more than 50% of a company and still not control it. Control is determined by the contracts you signed like shareholder agreements, and the company bylaws, and who is on the board of directors. That said, you have a point that giving an investor 60% of a startup is too much.
Jun
27
 comment The Dream Team - What investors look for?
Wouldn't it depend on what the team is supposed to do?
Aug
4
 comment If the USPTO website has a trademark as “Dead,” can I register it?
Allison is right that there is no need for registration, but it's a great idea to do so anyway. Having a registered trademark makes it much easier to enforce that trademark and will also warn away other people who might start trading using your name.
Aug
2
 comment In the dark on how to get started?
Ian, this question is way too broad. The correct answer to "How to start a business" takes entire books to cover, and there are, indeed, many books on this subject at your local library... reading one would be a good place to start, and if you have any specific questions, we'll be standing by to help!
Aug
2
 comment LLC or Business Trust w/DBA?
I've never heard of this "Business Trust with DBA" thing. Is that even a real thing? Anyway... can you add more information about what kind of business you plan to be doing... that probably makes a big difference.
Jul
27
 comment How to get through to decision makers?
Most industries are actually pretty tight-knit. People with 10+ years of experience in the industry tend to be at most one degree of separation away from anyone worth meeting.
Jul
25
 comment How long should it take a lawyer to do a trademark application?
I agree with this. 4 hours is ridiculous, but it's what you typically see if you have accidentally hired a large corporate law firm that has no sensitivity to startups. You've got the wrong lawyer. Personally I would pay the bill (chalk it up to education) and find a better lawyer.
Jul
25
 comment Founder stocks and Employee pool
do me a favor -- next time split this up in separate questions? For now it's OK but in the future it's easier to answer one question at a time. Thanks.
Jul
25
 comment Common ways to advertise music?
The most common way to advertise music is to get it played... in clubs, on the radio, and at concerts.
Jul
6
 comment Evaluate an offer for a startup advisor
Yeah. And I'll add ONE MORE thought. If this person really has clout with VCs, $1500 is chickens**t. The people who have clout with VCs are other VCs and past entrepreneurs who have been successful. Real players couldn't care less about $1500, their toothbrush costs more than that. The fact that he's fighting over dimes makes me question how legit he really is.
Jul
6
 comment Evaluate an offer for a startup advisor
edited to add one more thought.
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