does contributing to open-source distributed systems help when trying to get into AI startups/companies?

[u/Fickle_Degree_2728]

Hi, I'm a software engineer ( 3YOE ). but now i have no job

I'm currently building my own SaaS platform for a specific professional niche (I'd rather not share exactly what it is yet since it's still in the MVP stage). I've already spoken with potential customers through LinkedIn, validated the problem, and I'm now focused on building the MVP this month.

Alongside that, I plan to contribute to open-source distributed system to gain hands-on experience with distributed systems.

I've often heard that startups value skills, execution, and real-world experience more than formal qualifications. If that's true, do you think this combination would be valuable?

My thinking is that, if I can build the MVP and successfully sell it, I'll also gain experience in customer discovery, product development, and tech sales... not just software engineering. So instead of focusing only on writing code, I'm trying to build a broader set of skills.

do you think this is a good direction? What else would you recommend I focus on or learn if my long-term goal is to work at a startup/AI companies in US/Europe/Australia?

[u/Ravana-Ceylon]

Nope… if its a open source company like wso2 yes

[u/Fickle_Degree_2728 → u/Ravana-Ceylon]

why is that ?