What It’s Like To Work at a Startup: Insights From Startup Professionals

For computing professionals, startups offer something few corporate roles can provide. They give you the chance to build cutting-edge technology, gain equity, and work at a pace big companies can't match. Nearly a quarter of North American startups are in the tech and communications sector, so these opportunities are abundant. [1] But what is the day-to-day reality behind the promise? We polled IEEE Computer Society members to get the real scoop. Here’s a sneak peek into what you can expect.

Why People Choose To Work at Startups

The most common reason people choose to work at a startup is the freedom to innovate and accomplish something unique. This holds true whether respondents launched their own startup or decided to support an existing venture.

IEEE Computer Society member Christian Kennedy says he decided to work for a startup because it gave him “the ability to push the state of the art and move at a pace that’s difficult to replicate in a larger corporate research environment.”

Mohamed Hamdy Naeem Othman has similar sentiments. He puts it simply, saying, “I like to innovate, solve problems, help others have a better life, and, of course, to do business.”

As Othman points out, the business aspect of working at a startup also has a unique draw. IEEE member Cihat notes that startups can often take advantage of unique funding sources. He specifically cites “the vast opportunities available through government initiatives and support programs” as a driving factor in his decision to launch his own startup.

The Rewards of Working at a Startup

While startup work is often a high-risk proposition, the rewards can be impressive. For some, they mirror the reasons why they chose to get involved in startup work in the first place: They get to build cool new solutions. Cihat says being involved in building something unique, often from the ground up, tops the list of benefits.

Christian Kennedy appreciates both the ability to do something new and bring it to market, saying the most rewarding part of working for a startup is “the ability to do technologically innovative work with a commercial focus.”

Victoria Clotet also underscores the financial benefits, saying her favorite part of the journey is “revenue.” Yet, she adds another crucial benefit, “seeing that my startup is solving other people’s problems and simplifying their lives.” Levgen Gartman agrees. He muses, “Building something new, which did not exist before, is the most exciting experience in my life.”

The Realities and Challenges of Startup Employment

It’s not all smooth sailing while navigating the startup seas. One of the biggest waves that tosses startups to and fro is finances. “Founders tend to chase the money in hope of an exit, where, in their minds, they’ll be on the beach while everyone else labors to deliver what was promised,” Christian Kennedy observes. He continues, “Misrepresentations at the leadership level to customers and investors are common.”

To avoid getting short-changed, Kennedy says it’s important to “understand the cap table for the company when deciding how to value options, equity grants, restricted stock units (RSUs), and stock appreciation rights (SARs). And pay particular attention to any preferred agreements.”

Advice for Those Considering Startup Work

For those contemplating the startup journey, the key is to choose something they’re passionate about and be ready to adapt to new, unexpected challenges. As Victoria Clotet says, those interested in this world should “pick a startup with a problem they’re truly obsessed with and/or want to spend the next three years working for.”

At the same time, startup newbies have to balance passion with pragmatism. As Christian Kennedy says, “Beware of ‘Founder’s Disease’ — the ‘I want to buy an island and a jet. Why aren’t we done yet?’”

Levgen Gartman points out that an honest self-assessment is step one. “If you like ‘hard fun,’ this is for you. If you’re looking for a quiet place, a startup is not the best choice, for sure.”

While everyone’s startup experience is different, the consensus from IEEE Computer Society members is that the diverse range of risks is well worth the rewards.

Do you have any startup reflections or experiences? Please share on LinkedIn and tag us so others can learn from your perspective.

N. Blair (2025, January 15). Startup Statistics in Canada for 2025. Retrieved from https://madeinca.ca/startup-statistics-canada/