I’m a solo founder. Should I seek a co-founder?
Our take: if you’re a solo founder, we recommend you carefully consider staying solo before bringing on a co-founder. If you decide to add one, start with a trial period of at least a few months to see if you’re both ready for the commitment of a co-founder relationship.
This advice may seem counterintuitive because the desire for a co-founder is natural and understandable. A co-founder can refine your business idea, have skills to complement your own and boost your startup’s credibility. Startups are tough, lonely, and risky, so a co-founder can provide you with accountability, motivation, and companionship while sharing in the risk. Many investors also favor co-founders – although, perhaps cynically, this may be because it spreads their risk across more people.
The media also often promotes iconic co-founder duos who have shaped the modern world – Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Google), Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Apple), Bill Gates and Paul Allen (Microsoft) – making a co-founder seem essential for success.
However, we advise founders to think of a co-founder relationship as a marriage with the company as your child. Like marriage, a co-founder relationship carries commitment, high expectations and legal obligations. Marriage isn’t for everyone and you shouldn’t rush into it. You want your co-founder to be someone you know well and believe you can grow and evolve with over time. While a great co-founder relationship can be extremely beneficial, a failed one can lead to stress, chaos, and a difficult, damaging separation. For some, single parenthood may be far better than a dysfunctional relationship.
Work compatibility is not the same as personal compatibility. Many people are amiable and easygoing, but differences in work styles, habits, and expectations could still cause issues. If you are a solo founder, there are many alternative ways to gain companionship, accountability, and motivation without adding a co-founder such as founder groups, friends, family, fellow employees, etc.
If you’ve read the above and are still set on finding a co-founder, then we strongly recommend “dating” first. Begin with a short-term working relationship to explore compatibility and get to know one another before you say “I do” for a long-term commitment.
