A question that I’ve often heard asked is “how do I know if an early stage startup is worth working for?”. Having worked at three VC-backed startups internationally (both in Silicon Valley and Nairobi), I firmly believe that the best learning opportunities stem from working at early stage companies. However, it is still entirely possible to pick the wrong one. After all, just like an investor makes a calculated gamble when they invest in a company, employees do the exact same! Funding (in terms of job security) is often the most popular criterion when people assess opportunities at start-ups. But is a well-funded startup a guarantee for success? There are still several downsides to joining a company with enough money but poor management skills and a terrible work culture — and these can take a serious emotional toll on you.
This is a guest post from my daughter, Sanjna Malpani