Is Working for a Startup Company Right for You?

Working for a startup has its own challenges.

According to successful investor Ron Conway, whose company SV Angel has funded more than 500 new ventures, less than 25% of startups could expect to survive during the dotcom bubble, but today that number is more like 60%, at least of the companies in his own carefully selected portfolio.

The risk of going to work for a company that might not make it is obvious, and there many reasons a company can fail. Ten critical reasons startups fail—like the wrong team or a weak execution plan— are outlined by entrepreneur and investor Scott Lipsky via John Cook’s Venture Blog on TechFlash. The principles are framed in terms of technology companies, but the concepts can transfer to any kind of business, and are worth considering if you’re pondering being part of a new company.