Normally I'm a stickler for HN rules about e.g. caps lock for emphasis. But in this case it's warranted.
OP, please take this as a lesson. For a significant portion of my career thus far I've been in consulting/advisory positions with startups between the seed and Series A stages of funding. I have never, ever worked with a company for the first time without first getting a confirmed deposit payable towards the final invoice.
In the fast and loose world of startups, rule number one is "Can they pay me?" Employees should be paid before founders, not the other way around.
Practically speaking - engage a lawyer, send a letter and sue if the economics of that equation make sense. If they don't, cut your losses and move on with a lesson. Refer to some of the other comments here echoing the legal advice.
OP, please take this as a lesson. For a significant portion of my career thus far I've been in consulting/advisory positions with startups between the seed and Series A stages of funding. I have never, ever worked with a company for the first time without first getting a confirmed deposit payable towards the final invoice.
In the fast and loose world of startups, rule number one is "Can they pay me?" Employees should be paid before founders, not the other way around.
Practically speaking - engage a lawyer, send a letter and sue if the economics of that equation make sense. If they don't, cut your losses and move on with a lesson. Refer to some of the other comments here echoing the legal advice.