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I think that your co-founder also has to believe in your idea just as much as you do. Any wishy-washy-ness now will only grow as time goes on. The list also re

by sosuke 16y ago

I think that your co-founder also has to believe in your idea just as much as you do. Any wishy-washy-ness now will only grow as time goes on. The list also reminds me of a "what to look for in an employee" article.

Lukeas14 16y ago
Agreed. A belief in the usefulness and future success of the idea should be at the top of both lists. Without it domain and language expertise is a mute point because they will never be performing at their full potential. I would also add having faith in the other co-founder(s).
alain94040 16y ago
Yes, this is a critical part. PS: I run a site dedicated to finding co-founders: http://fairsoftware.net http://fairsoftware.net. So I have some experience in the topic. Share your idea: don't be scared that someone will steal it from you. Most people will think your idea is bad anyway. Your job, as the business founder, is to convince me, the technical guy, that you can make it happen. Do you have customers lined-up? Can you raise funding? If all of these align, then get to know each other, work for a month on the idea and see how you feel then. Then formally commit.
jasonlbaptiste 16y ago
I agree, but that's more of a general "what to look for in cofounders" thing. Business, technical, design, etc. cofounders should all share that quality.
lsc 16y ago
the important thing to remember here is that any technical person with experience is going to have an initial reaction of suspicion when approached by a business person with some wacky new idea. If you avoid everyone who initially reacts with suspicion, you will be limiting yourself to people who have not been approached by business people before. That said, I agree that your co-founder and you have to agree the product is worthwhile. I'm just saying; don't expect this enthusiasm right off the bat; that is really only going to happen if your technical co-founder has never listened to a well-pitched bullshit idea.
bootload 16y ago
"... I think that your co-founder also has to believe in your idea just as much as you do. ..." Has to believe in your idea? For me this is a warning sign. It could be the result of the other party being dominated or submissive. I'd much prefer a committed co-founder who is flexible and can be swayed by merit at the same time be critical where necessary.

by sosuke 16y ago

Lukeas14 16y ago

Agreed. A belief in the usefulness and future success of the idea should be at the top of both lists. Without it domain and language expertise is a mute point because they will never be performing at their full potential. I would also add having faith in the other co-founder(s).

alain94040 16y ago

Yes, this is a critical part. PS: I run a site dedicated to finding co-founders: http://fairsoftware.net http://fairsoftware.net. So I have some experience in the topic. Share your idea: don't be scared that someone will steal it from you. Most people will think your idea is bad anyway. Your job, as the business founder, is to convince me, the technical guy, that you can make it happen. Do you have customers lined-up? Can you raise funding? If all of these align, then get to know each other, work for a month on the idea and see how you feel then. Then formally commit.

jasonlbaptiste 16y ago

I agree, but that's more of a general "what to look for in cofounders" thing. Business, technical, design, etc. cofounders should all share that quality.

lsc 16y ago

the important thing to remember here is that any technical person with experience is going to have an initial reaction of suspicion when approached by a business person with some wacky new idea. If you avoid everyone who initially reacts with suspicion, you will be limiting yourself to people who have not been approached by business people before. That said, I agree that your co-founder and you have to agree the product is worthwhile. I'm just saying; don't expect this enthusiasm right off the bat; that is really only going to happen if your technical co-founder has never listened to a well-pitched bullshit idea.

bootload 16y ago

"... I think that your co-founder also has to believe in your idea just as much as you do. ..." Has to believe in your idea? For me this is a warning sign. It could be the result of the other party being dominated or submissive. I'd much prefer a committed co-founder who is flexible and can be swayed by merit at the same time be critical where necessary.