5 ms·

Startup Cofounders: Have you ever found a cofounder where....

...you two couldn't find an idea you both were passionate/excited about? How did you proceed?

boniface316 11y ago
I would have to say that finding the rught cofounder is the biggest challenge. I worked with friends of mine for 2 years and things fell apart. So choose your cofounders wisely. Also keep everything very clear between the two. Document everything. My new co-founder is an awesome dude. Since day 1 our chemistry was great, however I got him to sign all the documents just in case. Here is how things worked with my current co-founder. He wanted to help me build the product I was working on cause it was his passion. He gave me a hand. We didnt think of each other as partners. We just enjoyed working together. He got excited when his proof of concept was well recieved by customers. Then he started to committ take less shifts at work to committ to the project. He acted as my co-founder without even me asking him. Then we agreed to start a business and became co-founders. Great guy! I love working with him! But to this day, I get everything in document so he knows everything is crystal clear.
- auganov 11y ago
  Everyone make sure you follow the advice on documenting everything. Never feel ashamed about asking people to help you with that. It's ridiculous how much trouble and angry/crazy/malicious person can cause you. And when that happens, suddenly every record and document you have will be invaluable.
  - boniface316 11y ago
    True story happened to my friend. His partner walked away, he kept working on his business. Then his partner came back and took piece of the business. He won, but all the headache he had to go through!
jyu 11y ago
Maybe you both just don't mesh that well. Nothing wrong with that. If you actively wait for good opportunities, and sharpen your skills along the way, you'll be in an enviable position all along your journey.
- boniface316 11y ago
  I agree with you on this. I think me and my co- actively waited for the oppurunity.
- a_lifters_life 11y ago
  can you explain what you mean by: "If you actively wait for good opportunities, and sharpen your skills along the way, you'll be in an enviable position all along your journey."
  - jyu 11y ago
    There's this meme in the startup community of founders making large sacrifices and taking huge risks to keep a startup dream from dying. Just because you take large risks doesn't mean you will be rewarded for them. Much like buying millions of dollars worth of lotto tickets will probably end in a bad outcome. So instead of rushing with a cofounder to force a brilliant idea out, just keep working on your skills. One of the most important skills is recognizing good opportunities. Constantly refine yourself, keeping your eyes open, and pounce when a good opportunity presents itself.
    - a_lifters_life 11y ago
      I think that is sage advice, appreciate you posting on here its been helpful
      - boniface316 11y ago
        My definition of actively waiting is that you keep building something. Initially me and my co- started building our version of Amazon dash. We helped each other. This allowed me to learn his character and he learned mine. Then we came up with an idea. While he was taking care of tech, I would simply work on business administration stuff. Also just apply for grants, you dont have to submit it, but you will know how to do it.

...you two couldn't find an idea you both were passionate/excited about? How did you proceed?

I would have to say that finding the rught cofounder is the biggest challenge. I worked with friends of mine for 2 years and things fell apart. So choose your cofounders wisely. Also keep everything very clear between the two. Document everything. My new co-founder is an awesome dude. Since day 1 our chemistry was great, however I got him to sign all the documents just in case. Here is how things worked with my current co-founder. He wanted to help me build the product I was working on cause it was his passion. He gave me a hand. We didnt think of each other as partners. We just enjoyed working together. He got excited when his proof of concept was well recieved by customers. Then he started to committ take less shifts at work to committ to the project. He acted as my co-founder without even me asking him. Then we agreed to start a business and became co-founders. Great guy! I love working with him! But to this day, I get everything in document so he knows everything is crystal clear.

auganov 11y ago
Everyone make sure you follow the advice on documenting everything. Never feel ashamed about asking people to help you with that. It's ridiculous how much trouble and angry/crazy/malicious person can cause you. And when that happens, suddenly every record and document you have will be invaluable.
- boniface316 11y ago
  True story happened to my friend. His partner walked away, he kept working on his business. Then his partner came back and took piece of the business. He won, but all the headache he had to go through!

jyu 11y ago

Maybe you both just don't mesh that well. Nothing wrong with that. If you actively wait for good opportunities, and sharpen your skills along the way, you'll be in an enviable position all along your journey.

boniface316 11y ago
I agree with you on this. I think me and my co- actively waited for the oppurunity.
a_lifters_life 11y ago
can you explain what you mean by: "If you actively wait for good opportunities, and sharpen your skills along the way, you'll be in an enviable position all along your journey."
- jyu 11y ago
  There's this meme in the startup community of founders making large sacrifices and taking huge risks to keep a startup dream from dying. Just because you take large risks doesn't mean you will be rewarded for them. Much like buying millions of dollars worth of lotto tickets will probably end in a bad outcome. So instead of rushing with a cofounder to force a brilliant idea out, just keep working on your skills. One of the most important skills is recognizing good opportunities. Constantly refine yourself, keeping your eyes open, and pounce when a good opportunity presents itself.
  - a_lifters_life 11y ago
    I think that is sage advice, appreciate you posting on here its been helpful
    - boniface316 11y ago
      My definition of actively waiting is that you keep building something. Initially me and my co- started building our version of Amazon dash. We helped each other. This allowed me to learn his character and he learned mine. Then we came up with an idea. While he was taking care of tech, I would simply work on business administration stuff. Also just apply for grants, you dont have to submit it, but you will know how to do it.