Question
Hello everyone,
I would like to bring to your attention the many doubts and questions that we have on our mind concerning the foundation of a new web startup.
Since September 2015 I’ve been working with my business partner on a web product on which we believe a lot. Conscious about the possible success of our idea we decided to launch a new company and make tangible what is for now just a bunch of ideas on our mind and notes on our desks.
We are already facing the reality that neither me nor my partner have the technical competences needed in this field although we have economics and business expertise.
Initially we thought about outsourcing the whole development of the product, by assigning it to a third party. However after a short time we understood that this wasn’t the right path to follow. We then decided to create an in-house team that will fill in for the holes in our knowledge.
This is where the majority of our problems come from.
Since we only have a fledgling of the product, our idea was to set up a company, rent an office and start to hire the professionals that we need to develop the business. Initially the idea was to hire 2 programmers and 1 web designer. We were not conscious about the job market for these kind of positions so we were not interested about the age or the experience of the candidates, especially because we didn’t want to invest too many financial resources in such an uncertain environment. However after researching this particular field we learnt that the development team was very important to reduce the risk of failure in the early stage. We have decided that the best move is to hire a senior programmer with proven expertise on web development and coding languages. We want him to help us select the right candidates to hire for the development of the product.
• Where can we find this kind of expereinced programmer?
• The main concern about the idea of hiring professionals for our entrepreneurial project is the risk of exposing our business model to professional figures who could steal the idea and develop it by themselves. How can we reduce this kind of risk?
We thank you all for your time and really appreciate your help. Feel free to give us your advice on whatever seems wrong or incorrect.
Best regards.
Jacopo
Answer
Thank you for sharing your journey and concerns regarding hiring senior developers for your startup. It's great to see your dedication and determination to bring your web product to life.
Finding experienced senior programmers can be a daunting task, but there are several avenues you can explore:
Online Platforms: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Stack Overflow are great places to start your search. You can post job listings and directly reach out to potential candidates.
Networking: Attend tech meetups, conferences, and industry events where you can meet experienced developers in person. Networking can often lead to valuable connections and referrals.
Freelance Platforms: Platforms like Upwork and Toptal allow you to hire experienced freelancers on a project basis. This can be a flexible option for your startup, especially in the early stages.
Regarding your concerns about protecting your business idea, it's essential to take precautionary measures:
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Have all candidates sign NDAs before discussing sensitive information about your startup. This legally binds them to confidentiality.
Selective Sharing: Only disclose specific details about your business model and product to candidates who have been vetted and deemed trustworthy.
Trust Your Instincts: During the hiring process, pay attention to red flags and trust your instincts. Choose candidates who demonstrate professionalism and integrity.
I also recommend reading this article on finding programmers, which provides valuable insights and tips: https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/find-programmers/
Best of luck with your startup journey, and feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.
