250K USD Today or 1M USD “Someday”: Real Founder Facing This Dilemma

2mo ago

2 replies

Picture this: you’ve been grinding on your startup for the past 6 months. Yesterday, you hit #1 on Product Hunt; today, there’s an acquisition offer in your inbox. Here are the numbers: • 250K USD cash, right now • 10K active users after the PH launch • 💸 Zero funding, bootstrapped from savings • Solo founder, burning through your last $$ The offer? It’s from a big player in the market, clean deal, no strings attached. Tempting, right? But every time you check your analytics, you see that hockey stick growth. Your gut says, “this could be huge!” while your bank account says, “take the money and run.” Now imagine yourself torn between: • A quick exit: 250K in the bank, no more ramen • The dream: building something massive • Reality check: 90% of startups fail after a viral launch So, here’s the million-dollar question: Would you cash out now or double down and bet on yourself? Founders who’ve been here, what did you do? Any regrets? P.S. Clock’s ticking—they want an answer in 48 hours 😅

💰 Take $250K and move on

56%

🚀 Take the risk and develop the product

11%

🤔 Try to negotiate

33%

Replies

Ben Syverson @bensyverson

Mattebox

Haven't been in anything resembling this situation, but I would take the cash now and move on. Pretty good payday for 6 months work, and it would give you some cushion while you work on something even bigger. Better than running out of money and being forced to take a full time gig!

Nov 1

Maru Rivera @maru_rivera1

Tough one @yusifov Personally: You already proved you can build something that's worth $250K, which you probably started with close to $0 money. If you have an idea you can start with $100K this time and build it into a $1M in little time, I would take the $250K and use half of it to build the next thing. Now, If you are having fun with what you're building, and trust that it provides massive value to users, just keep at it. Be patient, $1M might be on the low end of what you'll get for it. -- Very interesting situation and a great problem to have. Kudos! Will be waiting for an update in your decision, it will be the right one. Best of luck!

Nov 3