Thing I noticed about successful startups with friends as co-founders is that they are pretty young and both have entrepreneurial spirit. (Plus, the requisite

Thing I noticed about successful startups with friends as co-founders is that they are pretty young and both have entrepreneurial spirit. (Plus, the requisite complimentary skill-set) Those are surprisingly uncommon combinations What if your circle of friends are not entrepreneurial? What if your friends that /are\ entrepreneurial already have startups? --then, of course; you'd have to find a co-founder (thats not a friend) or motivate a friend to be entrepreneurial - but, that in itself almost defeats the spirit of #5. I do believe friends are very important, families as well. 1) They'll keep you motivated. 2) They'll give you advice/input. 3) They'll give you support; (tech expertise, business feedback and connections, etc..) The quarter back, and the running back need not be friends to win the championships.