4) When assessing a startup, consider two things first: are the founders experienced in the industry and market they are attacking? Is the value of the solution obvious? i.e. people will likely willingly pay well to have the solution? --- I've worked at three start-ups. The answer was yes to the first question for all three. But the second question was really hard to answer going in. In hindsight, only of the companies had a valued solution. And I left 9 years before IBM bought them for big money.

I had a lot of fun and excitement but the financial uncertainty is tough.