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Ask HN: hiring vs. buying to produce a prototype
4 points by cqpan on Nov 16, 2009 | hide | past | favorite | 3 comments
Hi everyone,

    I am just getting up the courage to do my own startup, however I need a bit of guidance and advice.   The product I have in mind consists of 3 pieces: a embedded piece, a windows app part, and a web services portion.  I think the best thing to do is to produce a prototype paid for with my own savings before I try to get funded.   I am a embedded software guy and I don't really have too much experience with the windows and web software (I do think I know enough to be able to identify what is BS).  I was wondering what the experts here think about these 3 approaches:
1. Hire a couple of guys with this type of expertise to do the windows and web pieces. 2. Pay another company to develop the windows and web pieces I need. (would I just get my lunch money taken :-)?) 3. Partner with someone with that skill set (unfortunately I don't know anyone with this set of skills, so I think this is very similar to hiring).

I am currently favoring choice 2 because I think a experience company can do what I need faster and probably cheaper since I need less infrastructure. I will then add the glue code to tie everything together. I would love to hear what others with personal experiences on what is the pro and con of these approaches.

Thank you in advance for your help!




I would strongly consider partnering with a developer who has the right skillset. Starting a start-up is a long-term gig. When you are hiring or buying, you are partnering with someone who may only be with you for 1 or 2 iterations. Their motive is short term profit, and your motive is long term biz-dev. When you partner with someone, both of your motivates are aligned to the long-term.


Thank you. I guess its also a good test to see if you can convince someone to partner with you.


What's your idea? Someone on this site may have the necessary skills and be interested in working with you to develop it.




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