So, a few friends of mine are starting a company. They'll be the CEO, CTO etc. The product is an app, with its corresponding back end in the cloud. They want me to build the app.
1. I'm not willing to take risk - spending time on that (not my idea at the first place & may or may not go well)
2. Not sure if I'll be benefitted. (Monetary / stake)
3. I have few projects at hand & have plans to learn something more/new (not narrow down only to apps).

What should I do guys?? Recommendations??

I don't think I'll get paid. They want me to 'join them'. So shares it will be.

If you're building the app, what are they doing?

Get an iron clad contract that describes expectations and outcomes, and make sure it recognizes labor and financial commitments.

@iAmNaN @g-m-f
Thanks for your suggestions! I'm new to this....how can know the common practices in the industry regarding such expectations & financial benefits?

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@balamu96m that's where a lawyer comes, but that costs. It depends on how solid their business plan is, a how much you believe in their ability to run a business. A good lawyer can help you answer some of those questions.

To quote Ray Liota: fuck you pay me.

They don't know it, but they are trying to get something without it costing them anything. This doesn't work.

it doesn't sound like they can convince you to invest your time in it, you think they'll be able to convince others to invest money in it?

I think it's a risk that you have to weight for yourself based on how sure the profit will be, how much time week be spent/wasted on the development, whether or not you're able to financially support yourself in that time, etc.

Overall i think this can be at least a good experience. but remember, if you decide to join them, sign a contract with them. Do not count on the title "friend" when it comes to business.

One last important thing, if they get offended by the thought of signing a contract, then know that the company won't last for 2 years!

Quora has a lot of good answers around startup contracts, I've found some good insights there.

(Eventually we'll get our own good Q&A system going on devRant)

Ask to be the CTO