I have completely 180'ed on this topic. I used to think to be a successful startup, you all had to be in the same room, ideally at a big huge desk etc.
After working at my current startup, I realize I was wrong. We are an entirely remote operation, and have been since day 1. A few of us are in Austin, and rarely meet for a face-to-face, but it's more of a 'oh yeah, you actually exist' meeting rather than a hash-it-out sort of meeting.
I think the reason we have been successful is because being remote has forced us to write things down, in our wiki (in the form of product specs) and in JIRA (in the form of specific features and bug fixes). With just those two forms of written communication, we've solved 95% of our communication needs. We almost never skype or use video conferencing... it's just not needed.
The other reason we are successful is due to experience. We've all done startups before, so we know the drill. I can't emphasis how important this is enough, but does deserve more explanation. (unfortunately I can't muster the amount of typing atm).
IN the end, we can focus on getting work done... without the distraction of office chatter, commuting, long lunches.
> The other reason we are successful is due to experience. We've all done startups before, so we know the drill. I can't emphasis how important this is enough
I've worked remotely for a few years now and think this is the key. I would not advocate hiring junior developers remotely. There's too much risk in it. I was once faced with the task of trying to mentor a junior dev remotely and it just didn't work.
In general I would agree, but I think it also depends on junior developer in question. Every now and then you meet someone whose overflowing intelligence, talent and work ethic will make them an exceptional engineer, but are not there yet. It would be a shame not to support that.
I recently mentored such person and she is already one of our most productive developers.
After working at my current startup, I realize I was wrong. We are an entirely remote operation, and have been since day 1. A few of us are in Austin, and rarely meet for a face-to-face, but it's more of a 'oh yeah, you actually exist' meeting rather than a hash-it-out sort of meeting.
I think the reason we have been successful is because being remote has forced us to write things down, in our wiki (in the form of product specs) and in JIRA (in the form of specific features and bug fixes). With just those two forms of written communication, we've solved 95% of our communication needs. We almost never skype or use video conferencing... it's just not needed.
The other reason we are successful is due to experience. We've all done startups before, so we know the drill. I can't emphasis how important this is enough, but does deserve more explanation. (unfortunately I can't muster the amount of typing atm).
IN the end, we can focus on getting work done... without the distraction of office chatter, commuting, long lunches.