Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Relocating an Entire Software Engineering Team?

Posted by Cliff on from the mgmt-may-be-temporary-but-coders-are-forever dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "I was recently laid off, along with the entire Vancouver Development Centre, from a large network security company. The software engineering team at our office has performed well and is highly cohesive. I was wondering if anyone at Slashdot has been in a similar situation and the probability/prospects of being able to start a new venture with the existing team. I'm sure most understand the importance of a good team, and the time it takes to grow one. Is it worthwhile for the core team to pursue a new venture or should we all just disband and go our separate ways? Where might we find someone with the entrepreneurial mindset to take advantage of this great resource?"

6 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. You can start new. by vil3nr0b · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Myself and two friends left an IT solutions company after being laid off. We all got on somewhere else and interviewed together. We had enough skills on the table between the three of us to convince the employer we could do the job of six-ten people. (Which is what companies want first and foremost.) Now all three of us just got huge raises and a solid contract guaranteeing employment. After ten years in IT, we are finally appreciated.

    1. Re:You can start new. by vil3nr0b · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Financially we took a big risk leaving immediately. We were laid off technically, but could have stayed around as a "consultant" to train the replacements. It is a shock when three hard working dudes decide to leave the money on the table and strike out for greener pastures together.

  2. Try yourself by New+Breeze · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You're unlikely to find some kindhearted individual/company ready to take on an entire group of people with their associated costs.

    However, I would suggest that if they've been saving a bit and aren't living paycheck to paycheck, starting a consulting company and chipping in to hire a sales/marketing person might be a viable alternative. Especially if the team has contacts with customers that could be persuaded to stay with the people they know, instead of your old company.

    As always, consult a lawyer before doing anything, and if you signed away your soul in your employment agreement, be careful...

  3. Do you need money? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    What about asking to Y Combinator?
    http://ycombinator.com/

    I know they usually go with fresh graduated students but it never hurts to ask. I think they are better than a normal VC.

  4. Re:Is there a non-compete? by j-cloth · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'd check with a lawyer before giving up even if there is a non-compete. At least in my juristiction, a non compete does not override your right to seek employment. So if you are an IT geek and the only option for getting an IT geek job is to compete with your former employer, then they have no case against you. It comes more in when you jump ship and go work for Major Competator across the street (taking clients with you) when you could also have gone to work for Unrelated Company across town.

  5. Assuming you're in Canada... by JediTrainer · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Start a Tim Horton's franchise? Surely there a corner somewhere that doesn't have one yet.

    My team has thought about doing it. At least, back when our company was in the rough and it looked possible that layoffs were coming.

    --

    You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. The impossible just takes a little longer.