[edw519]

I commend your efforts. It's not easy to go through this. And it's smart of you to share and ask for help. Very smart.

You asked. I won't be bashful. Take my feedback however you want (or tell me to go to h*ll).

You do not have a startup. You have a hobby. A startup is full time. Greater than full time.

Like you, I'm a hacker. I simply cannot imagine giving up equity to a designer or an "idea man" (whatever that is). Design is grossly overrated (see Google). Ideas are everywhere. Only a fool pays for them. People should be paying you to give you ideas (more about that below).

I understand that these are your friends and that you love working with them. Nothing wrong with that. What's more important to you, the quality time you spend together or the outcome? I think you have a tough decision to make because, frankly, I don't see you having both. You don't need these guys.

I would seriously consider taking your employer's offer to relocate. This would give you a graceful exit from your current endeavor and preserve your friendships. Then I would bank every dollar I could in order to go back to my start-up full-time. You should be able to work full-time for at least 6 months, preferably a year. I would also try to pick up side jobs somewhat related to my start-up. Pick up a few extra bucks and get your ideas FROM THOSE WHO ARE PAYING YOU. These are real ideas coming from the field, not from some ivory tower. So the logic is reversed: you can pay for untested ideas, or get paid for real ones.

You don't mention whether your employment is related to your start-up in any way. If it's not, all the more reason to pick up side work.

I would also try to make connections with other hackers; maybe you can find more suitable co-founders.

(By the way, the comment about open and honest communication is spot on. Talk to your partners!)

You've got quite a few things to think about and a lot of good feedback from both places. Please - keep us posted. You never know where this may lead...

[joe]

Thanks for the blunt comment. It's what I was looking for, and much appreciated.

I will attempt to let you all know how this pans out.