How to Think Like a VC When Evaluating a Startup Role

Overview
This article provides a practical, VC-style checklist for technical leaders evaluating a role at a startup. It adapts the due-diligence mindset investors use to assess companies and applies it to personal career decisions, helping readers decide whether a role aligns with their goals and risk tolerance.

Key Takeaways

• Treat the role as an investment: assess market size, growth trajectory, and competitive landscape.
• Evaluate the founding team and leadership credibility.
• Scrutinize product-market fit, traction metrics, and revenue model.
• Understand equity, vesting schedule, and compensation structure.
• Consider cultural fit, decision-making processes, and engineering autonomy.
• Identify exit scenarios and personal career impact.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers contemplating a move to a startup.
• Technical founders evaluating co-founder or early-team offers.
• Senior developers seeking leadership positions in high-growth companies.
• Career coaches advising tech professionals.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• VC due-diligence framework adapted for personal role evaluation.
• SWOT analysis of the opportunity versus current position.
• Equity valuation basics for non-founders.