KingofGIF

AE

Valued Contributor

AMA - I am addicted to working for Series A startups

Yea, we have all seen the posts, heard the stories, and yet, here I am, at the same place.

A few years ago, I experienced my first Series A (upgraded from seed stage). It was terrible, and I had to leave less than a year into the role, but the base had been crazy high. I left for a Series B (fresh out of the press), which lasted a few good years until they raised more, and the markets crashed.

I am back to Series A today. The danger is palpable, and I have realized that I am addicted to Series A startups. Higher base than most, questionable goals, long hours required, and the free flow of money that gets me international company trips, a remote lifestyle, and some good war stories.

Yes, I have become a gun for hire, and since this is the 3rd time, it ain't all that bad. I vetted the founding team better than ever and understood the ups and downs. Worst case scenario, this will last a good year (or years) before you see me working for another Series A startup, or perhaps this time, exit will separate us.

Special thanks to caffeine, Vitamin D, air fryer, and minoxidil for keeping me looking decent while my body and spirit take a beating.

God, I wish I had joined Deel years ago :(.

36

47 comments

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oldcloser

Arsonist

9

💀

This so resonates with me. I love it in disarray. I need the lack of established process. I’m a whore for the company’s first big win. I love the pain. I love the glory. It’s not great for a marriage, but even the home front has gotten used to it. Carry on, savage. Light it up!

KingofGIF

Politicker

4

AE

hahah yea I can relate, I love the chaos so much.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

1

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

+1 to thisssss !

braintank

Politicker

7

Enterprise Account Executive

I thought I could go back to it.

Lasted <1 year, quit last week based on frustration and incompetent leadership.

Next week start at a Series D.

lowhangersalesbanger

Executive

5

Director of Sales

The leadershits at early stage companies has always been my least favorite part.

braintank

Politicker

5

Enterprise Account Executive

Yep. I fucked up this time and went with a bunch of first time execs. All were VP or Director before, but never reached this level or this scale ($15M in ARR). Clear they are in way over their heads and nothing will change until they're gone.

0

Enterprise Account Executive

same here

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Congrats on getting something so quickly. Thanks for the good advice.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

Series deez nuts...

Seriously bb congrats on your new role!

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

Congrats!

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

5

Sales Rep

Also are you chasing equity? Or is it the high base and remote life that got you

KingofGIF

Politicker

1

AE

Equity as well

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

4

Sales Rep

As someone who is interviewing with Series A start ups for the first time, how should I be vetting them so it wont be a disaster like your first one.

Any questions to ask their AEs or leadership would be great

braintank

Politicker

8

Enterprise Account Executive

It's all about ARR, NRR, and how many customers they have that AREN'T family/friends/portfolio partners.

#2 is experience of their founders. Make sure they've done it before.

KingofGIF

Politicker

3

AE

Adding to @braintank review if founders have launched a business before. If they have not, become thorough asking what they are aiming for and at any hint of disengagement leave. You can a Titanic type of captain willing to die with the crew while fighting for it, so if they seem to have a plan B, run.

coletrain

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Runway is crucial also. If it's less than 18 months then that's concerning IMO.

SPT

Valued Contributor

0

Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances

Yeah, no tech weenies!

jefe

Arsonist

0

🍁

Runway and founders - so many people don't think about these.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

3

Account Executive

I've worked for 3 startups: one late stage (they were looking to be acquired asap), one early stage (seed), and my current company which is also late stage (roadmap to go public within 3 years).

I've personally made peace with the fact that I'll likely never work for an established company, but I'm also having a hard time getting interviews for Series A companies (any company really). What do you think has been your secret in getting through the morass of the current market and getting job offers? Is it networking? Your resume?

KingofGIF

Politicker

4

AE

I used hubspot to track my job applications. I have a process to get people hired that could be a standalone post.

Summary: customize Resume for each job to match keywords (it is okay to lie here). Then email founders and recruiters for each job you apply. Basically, extra work per each job as in ultra-customized outbound

gwrecks

Personal Narrative

0

Director of Business Development

Second this and want to say you should also include a cover letter. I have gotten most of my jobs with an outstanding cover letter.

KB_FarmerType

Opinionated

0

Strategic Sales

How many job prospects did you have in your pipeline? What’s conversion ratio look like ?

sora

Opinionated

3

RevOps Automation Consultant

After being in two established tech companies (1. At 300M ARR private company and now at a 1B+ behemoth) I don’t think I can ever go back to startups lol did 2 of those and worst leadership ever no matter how much I vetted them you find out shit later on haha

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

2

President/CRO

If you can handle the risk it's a heck of a lot of fun!

Vet the founders, get in early, earn your shares and you might have a pretty wild payday in the next few years.

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

Never had a wil payday, but I am still trying

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

2

Account Executive

Never worked at a Series A but hear so many nightmare stories. Best of luck brother

KingofGIF

Politicker

2

AE

Lit a candle for me tonight

Diablo

Politicker

2

Sr. AE

Great story and motivation behind working for these start ups

Tones

Big Shot

2

Sales Manager

I can guarantee you, you don’t want to work for Deel. They’re a liability scam waiting to have a Zenefits Crash but 10X worse

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

oooo I am old enough to remember the whole Zenefits crash!

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

@Tones that is an interesting take, and I also have some concerns. Tell me more?

Matique

Member

0

EDR

The amount of influencers on LI from Deel with some wild takes was a flag so this is only adding fuel to my bias 😂

El_Duderino

Executive

2

Senior AE

You are just addicted to the crazy ass Latina chick of sales jobs. As a former Series A tech startup sales guy - it’s one hell of a ride on the way up. Godspeed

Sadboysales

Opinionated

1

Account Executive

I have a Latina girlfriend and i'm an AE at a series A, i feel this one

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

ahahahahaha I bet you were there during the good days of crypto

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

What made your first Series A so terrible?

KingofGIF

Politicker

2

AE

SaaS product was not ready to be sold. Founders were high on VC money, so they did not really care that they hired a founding AE to sell something that was not ready, so they put me into selling media inventory (podcasts sponsor spots and me similar) in the meantime,
It just all was completely different from what I expected it to be and had to leave fast. CEO was aware of the fuck and when a chance came by he suggested that I take it as well.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Oh, that is ugly.

1

VP

Next time sure you get some experience at well known player, some of these Series A companies might not be here three years from now! Also it’s good for your training as well!

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

Best of luck bud ,all the best!
Whenever I get to a startup I guess I know where to find you:)

SPT

Valued Contributor

0

Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances

I've been in Series A & Series B my whole career! And I have the gray hairs to show it!

0

Account Executive

Becoming a gun-for-hire is great for your ego. It is also great for your checkbook but sometimes not so great for long-term asset growth (equity). But the reality is that it is very hard to predict which equity will work out, so my bet is to go for the checkbook. That is what pays the bills and provides less stress. Especially if you thrive in gun-for-hire situations.

donmovetoaustin

0

Founding AE

Starting a new role as the Founding AE for a dev tool SaaS product next month and would love to hear the advice of someone who has been there. I've been told
- show up with a structured and specific roadmap for your first 90 days- show up with a playbook and take these two weeks to get to know the space (domain knowledge is key as the first AE).- set time with founders and leadership to stay in touch and on the same page regarding expectations and progress.
Would love to hear any additional advice on how to hit the ground running.

0

Commerce Specailist

I am new to this. What is Series A startups? Thanks.

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

Startup funding goes as follows: pre-seed (sometimes), seed, Series A, B, C, D, after that usually IPO or acquisition take place

KB_FarmerType

Opinionated

0

Strategic Sales

@KingofGIF , how do you measure that you are compensated well for the value you bring way beyond the deal closed? In early or Series A , you are still navigating the sales to figure out what works for this product or this region/territory? No?

KingofGIF

Politicker

0

AE

I join Series A startups that figure the product market fit already.
I have only joined one where the product market fit was unclear and negotiated a sick base. 6 months in, it was clear that such product was not cutting it and I left after 9 months.
Important points for me:
-Upront: look for a company where you can make a good base, more than what you are making, or accept a lower base "only if" a big portion of the team (of at least 15-20 AEs) is crushing it, say +60%, which nowadays is unlikely...

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