The Four Things You Cannot Do as You Leave a Startup
Due to some recent work drama, I was privy to a list of key things you can’t do when you leave a startup. Here’s the list:
- Don’t poach people (including a co-founder in a new venture)
- Don’t take bizdev, IP, or other insider info
- Don’t blast the company or its VCs in the press/blogs/media
- Don’t shop your shares (exercised options) unless there’s a way to do it through the company
This list was described as a set of “social norms” within the Valley that are a “huge sin” if not followed.
The first item is the most surprising, as I constantly hear stories about friends leaving a company (both big and small) to go work on their own idea. It’s part of the myth of Silicon Valley, isn’t it?
#2 and #3 seem obvious and generally good practice in life. #4 I have no data points on.
If you have any feedback or thoughts, I’d love to hear it.