6 ms·

Ask HN: How to find a co-founder?

13 points by casper345 8y ago

hari_seldon_ 8y ago
I genuinely say this because I want to be helpful and not because I am trying to be snarky: Search past HN posts and even Google the topic. People have written a lot about this, and nothing that will be said here will be any more useful without more context on your situation... If you really want feedback to YOUR post on HN, I’d say to rewrite it with more context on your idea, background, and what you are looking for in a co-founder (skillset, money?, location, commitment, etc.).
bsvalley 8y ago
I think finding a co-founder is harder than creating a successful company. So, either I'd go solo (not recommended at all), or I'd simply use time as the only helpful way to find the right person. It doesn't have to be tomorrow, could happen anytime. "Simply" force yourself to meet new people over and over. Time will make it happen for you.
dublin 8y ago
Well, the answer depends to some degree on the kind of co-founder you're looking for, but I'd strongly suggest starting with LinkedIn and looking for people with previous startup experience, particularly in your area. Previous startup experience is the best predictor of success, even if their previous ventures failed (though it's always good to know why.) Also, make sure you get people who can think and communicate clearly - this is important even (or as often, especially) for the tech leaders. I get a few people a year approaching me for IoT startups - I'll almost always meet with them and point them to someone who might be able to help them if I'm not the guy. (I'm not interested in raw startups anymore - I've got plenty of great product ideas of my own if I've got to go flog funding...)
mychael 8y ago
I also have the same question, but I'm specifically interested in a non-technical co-founder. Someone smart who has innate business acumen and is a shameless salesperson.
spatx 8y ago
In addition to what others have said, one other avenue is to go to local startup/entrepreneurial/tech events and meetups in your area. I've met my co-founder at a local startup-related meetup. And I know some people that were introduced to their current co-founders through people that they met during such events/meetups.
Kinnard 8y ago
Read the Founder's Dilemma[1]. Don't "look for a cofounder". Collaborate with friends and loose connections on projects ("date") and escalate from there. (Don't undershoot "loose".) You need to be friends[2]. Get hitched when you're sure. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundation-Entrepreneurship/dp/0691158304/ https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Founda... [2] http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html
Lordarminius 8y ago
What kind of business are you building ? What would the cofounder's role be ?
dogreborn 8y ago
It's like asking how to find a wife because that's what a co-founder is :)
- mchannon 8y ago
  Finding a wife (or husband) is far easier than finding a co-founder (at least when comparing for the same level of quality). And on many occasions, a business divorce is far more financially painful than a marital one.
Fsp2WFuH 8y ago
It's possible you could just be looking for someone to motivate you. If that's the case, I'm in a similar boat, got a project, but I get lazy sometimes, I could use feedback to help me go forward but I can't find anyone to even look at my work.

13 points by casper345 8y ago

I genuinely say this because I want to be helpful and not because I am trying to be snarky: Search past HN posts and even Google the topic. People have written a lot about this, and nothing that will be said here will be any more useful without more context on your situation... If you really want feedback to YOUR post on HN, I’d say to rewrite it with more context on your idea, background, and what you are looking for in a co-founder (skillset, money?, location, commitment, etc.).

bsvalley 8y ago

I think finding a co-founder is harder than creating a successful company. So, either I'd go solo (not recommended at all), or I'd simply use time as the only helpful way to find the right person. It doesn't have to be tomorrow, could happen anytime. "Simply" force yourself to meet new people over and over. Time will make it happen for you.

dublin 8y ago

Well, the answer depends to some degree on the kind of co-founder you're looking for, but I'd strongly suggest starting with LinkedIn and looking for people with previous startup experience, particularly in your area. Previous startup experience is the best predictor of success, even if their previous ventures failed (though it's always good to know why.) Also, make sure you get people who can think and communicate clearly - this is important even (or as often, especially) for the tech leaders. I get a few people a year approaching me for IoT startups - I'll almost always meet with them and point them to someone who might be able to help them if I'm not the guy. (I'm not interested in raw startups anymore - I've got plenty of great product ideas of my own if I've got to go flog funding...)

mychael 8y ago

I also have the same question, but I'm specifically interested in a non-technical co-founder. Someone smart who has innate business acumen and is a shameless salesperson.

spatx 8y ago

In addition to what others have said, one other avenue is to go to local startup/entrepreneurial/tech events and meetups in your area. I've met my co-founder at a local startup-related meetup. And I know some people that were introduced to their current co-founders through people that they met during such events/meetups.

Kinnard 8y ago

Read the Founder's Dilemma[1]. Don't "look for a cofounder". Collaborate with friends and loose connections on projects ("date") and escalate from there. (Don't undershoot "loose".) You need to be friends[2]. Get hitched when you're sure. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundation-Entrepreneurship/dp/0691158304/ https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Founda... [2] http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html

Lordarminius 8y ago

What kind of business are you building ? What would the cofounder's role be ?

dogreborn 8y ago

It's like asking how to find a wife because that's what a co-founder is :)

mchannon 8y ago
Finding a wife (or husband) is far easier than finding a co-founder (at least when comparing for the same level of quality). And on many occasions, a business divorce is far more financially painful than a marital one.

Fsp2WFuH 8y ago

It's possible you could just be looking for someone to motivate you. If that's the case, I'm in a similar boat, got a project, but I get lazy sometimes, I could use feedback to help me go forward but I can't find anyone to even look at my work.