What's it really like working at a startup? by Tiger Buford
Background - This article is written for all of the people who I have met over the years in Orthopedics and Spine that think they would like to work at a startup. They usually have a rosy picture of what life is like at a startup that includes fantasies of fast-paced fun, creativity and playing ping pong in the break room. The reality is different. The work is long, hard and intense and the vast majority of startups don't make it.
I have had the fortune of working for three startups with as little as two people to 18 people - NovaLign (now Sonoma/Arthrex), Active Implants and Ellipse Technologies (now NuVasive). I have also worked for three larger companies - Smith and Nephew, Sulzer/Centerpulse, and Wright Medical so I understand how vastly different these companies can be.
Startups are not for everyone, but many people thrive in startups. There are pros and cons. There are enormous differences in focus, in stability, in daily work, and in responsibility and learning. To illustrate, I offer the contrasts below. Disclaimer: my comments are entirely general and are not targeted towards any specific companies.
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