The half-heart entrepreneur

I have noticed a recent trend among engineers and product guys; part-time work. In a few discussions I had at several New York startup and technology mixers I’ve heard engineers being excited about a startup then say: “I’m looking to put 10-20 hours a week, but I’m not looking for a quick buck, I’m looking to be co-founder”!!! Now this sounds like a paradox.

Equity is compensation for risk taking and sacrifice. If you want to put 10-20 hours then why would an entrepreneur hire your vs a free-lancer who would cost him/her a fraction? The decision to jump in the deep end of the pool and believe in a startup vision is not easy. But it also cannot be “half done”.

Entrepreneurs who started companies should also try to avoid such situation as much as possible. It creates more problems than benefits.