I'm forming a startup tech company. Right now it's me and one junior partner on board. I'm taking inquiries from others. (For example, I'm interviewing a guy tomorrow.)
I need a lawyer to handle some routine stuff. Some of it that comes to mind: forming the partnership (the legal entity) and helping draft the agreement and contracts with partners, etc. Also, there will be software user agreements. As a lawyer, you probably know what kind of legal work there is to do better than I do.
I'm not looking to hire a lawyer or pay for one-off work. I want you to be a member of the partnershipbut I'm only talking about a very small investment of time for now. Just a few hours a month, perhaps? If we are successful, obviously that could grow, but for now it's a small investment, and I think the time required would only grow if it starts making us all money. You would probably guess the time required better than I could.
In short: an ongoing small amount of work in exchange for equity. No salary. No fee. If you are the person I'm looking for, then you will understand this as a potential investment, and the question is whether I am worth partnering with.
I'm keeping this nimble. We're not borrowing anything, and I'm not paying anybody a dime (except for supplies like paper, and materials like books, you know). We don't even have or need an officeat least not for now. My team and I are all working for nothing but equity, just like I'm asking you to do.
I think we can create and launch the first product I plan to make within a year. The longest part of that is not building the product but rather building the companytraining my new junior partner, for example. I'm going to turn him into the best engineer I've ever met besides myself. He's going to start getting job offers with blank checks, and I'm going to do my very best to make him never want to work with anyone else but me. I'll take on other trainees as we go if I find more good raw material.
I have many product ideas. Much more than I could ever possibly do with my own hands. That is why I am starting this business.
Incidentally, this is the ONLY way to invest in my company. I am only accepting investment in the form of one's personal work, and only from people I want to work with.
If I have raised your interest, please just go ahead and email me and ask your questions. I will be frank and transparent, and I would appreciate whatever I might learn from you even if you do not decide to work with me.
Thank you,
Adam Cross
