Had a very interesting meeting with a leading venture capitalist this morning. We got talking about how finding the right fit for a startup is such a challenge in India. Here are some examples which tell the tale:

1. 'I don't mind compromising on the bonus which I presently get in my organization, but my fixed component must be preserved'. Stocks over and above this, of course!
2. 'I have invested in two properties and a house in Palm Meadows (Bangalore's hottest NRI destination). My EMI cost itself works out to xxx. Obviously one needs to take all this into consideration.'
3. 'I have already worked in a startup once before, but one of the things that I did'nt like was that basic things like a HR Policy were not in place, add to that the fact that many times there was no water in the water cooler".

Well, thats exactly why these organizations are startups. Do people join startups thinking purely of stocks and cashing out! Well, what we realized is that what is missing most often is the right attitude... Can this person work in a vacuum where he needs to clean his own ...

Add to that, can he or she prepare for that one big time in their life where they do something for the sheer glory of doing it and nothing else. Are prepared to feel good about what you've done and go through, even if you fail and lose money!

These are deep incisive questions that anyone considering a startup organization must consider.. else, you will be a fish out of water.

This apparently is the difference between India and Silicon Valley.

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