[curiouslurker]

Not true. To most corporate recruiters 'doing a startup' for a couple of years is almost the same as being unemployed. I faced this myself after years of slogging away at an unsuccessful project and then trying to get back into the job market.

[riskneural]

I have heard it referred to as being in a band.

Things that people in start ups don't know: getting technical things done in complex environments. I would focus my CV on showing interaction with corporates outside the firm - show you have some game.

[eru]

Depends which country/place the recruiter is in. Eg in SF Bay Area they would probably not treat you as equivalent to unemployed.

Or where are you?