[hodgesrm]

Thanks for a great write-up. I agree with most of the business tips but one thing you omitted is possible conflicts with your existing job over intellectual property and solicitation of either customers or employees. Most employment agreements include things like assignment of inventions and non-solicitation as standard terms.

Conflicts of this kind would be a good reason to quit before you get too deeply into research, which goes against the title of the post.

[JamesBarney]

Also one more plus for massive companies. Exxon probably isn't too interested in diversifying into bingo card creation.

[2michaeltaylor]

That's a very valid point. One for the lawyers. Anyone have good advice on this front? Happy to add to post.

[newman314]

IANAL but some basic common sense stuff:

* Do this on your own time. Maintain separation and document as necessary

* Make sure that you did not sign anything as part of your employment agreement that claims ownership over your ideas, thoughts, inventions, data etc. outside of working hours

* Do not use any company resources

[hodgesrm]

IANAL2 (but I read a lot of contracts), here are a couple more:

* Read your assignment of inventions agreement _very_ carefully. * If you live outside of California check your employment agreement for non-compete provisions.

If in doubt consult a labor lawyer. Getting qualified legal advice when starting a company is worth the money.