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I need a cofounder in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. I have a vision but I can't code. I'm looking to bring in a developer looking for a big project. Let's discu

I need a cofounder in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. I have a vision but I can't code. I'm looking to bring in a developer looking for a big project. Let's discuss.

alain94040 16y ago
This was posted yesterday on HN. Do you meet those criteria? If so, you will find a technical co-founder. 1. Become a domain expert - know the problem you are trying to solve inside and out. Know the market size, sales cycles, etc. Make connections in the industry. 2. Find Customers - Bring an idea, along with a 14,000 name mailing list that you generated via blogging on the subject. 3. Bring a design - Actually mock up a set of flows for an MVP. Show it to 20 people, and iterate on their feedback. Find out what is important so when you do start building you build traction right away. All of these are things that a good "Business Guy" should be able to do and will ultimately be responsible for when they do find a cofounder. Sure, pick up a little RoR or JS, but you aren't going to become a startup quality dev in 6-12 months (or likely more). However, in that same time you could do all of the above many times over.
- bloomshed 16y ago
  Working within the timeframe of the current rate of development in web apps, I'm not the "business person" in my operation because I don't have the time or experience to accomplish what is listed above. I'm the "vision person", I need a developer to make my vision real in the form of an alpha version of the site, then I need a "business person" to come in and connect the dots for the investors to make the thing real. I need a lot of help for sure but my hand is open, I know I can't do this on my own. I haven't found the people to fill the roles I need through my limited professional network. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I'm working on the connections listed in #1 by networking with local developers and applying to the YC winter session. #2 is a big jump for me without a working demo which I'm currently contracting and developing. 14K name mailing list? Yikes, I need an expert for that one. I've attempted #3 already but it's not efficient to design things and then not being able to pay for the coding of all the stuff I design. I need cofounders who have the time, energy, and value system to take my vision and run with it and make it real. I know I sound like a kid writing a letter to Santa but I know that someone is willing to pursue a dream. I just have to find them.
anamax 16y ago
>I have a vision but I can't code. We all have a vision or several. Why should folks who can code work on yours? Seriously - what else do you bring to the table? Note that we're not looking for a "big project", we're looking for a big payoff for us.
- bloomshed 16y ago
  In my experience, people who have an attitude of doubt or want a guarantee of quick returns immediately disqualify themselves from achieving something earth shattering. You've heard it all before I'm sure, and that's the problem. My project is a long term long shot. It's not for everybody. I'm just being honest. If I could code like Zuckerberg, I wouldn't have to annoy developers so much. What do I bring to the table? Something that hasn't been done before coupled with an understanding that I don't have all the answers, other people who are experts in their particular areas have value to contribute, and I don't care what has to happen to make my vision real as long as my vision doesn't get corrupted or sold short. What is my supposed "vision"? It's not something I toss around in forums. I don't care what the folks at the YC Startup Forum talked about this year, if people are just throwing around ideas with no strings, they're being reckless because they have nothing to gain from their ideas being ripped off. I have bills to pay.
  - coryl 16y ago
    Okay, essentially you have no skills to offer. To be blunt, your vision is worthless because everyone thinks their ideas are gold. So here's where you start: pick a few of the things people mentioned and learn them. If you're not into programming, learn marketing things, like building email lists, or work in sales, affiliate marketing, whatever. Just get started, and build from there. Then, once you have a bit more experience and can bring something to the table, you'll be much more valuable.
    - lachyg 16y ago
      Alternatively, money is a pretty good thing to bring to the table.

I need a cofounder in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. I have a vision but I can't code. I'm looking to bring in a developer looking for a big project. Let's discuss.

alain94040 16y ago

This was posted yesterday on HN. Do you meet those criteria? If so, you will find a technical co-founder. 1. Become a domain expert - know the problem you are trying to solve inside and out. Know the market size, sales cycles, etc. Make connections in the industry. 2. Find Customers - Bring an idea, along with a 14,000 name mailing list that you generated via blogging on the subject. 3. Bring a design - Actually mock up a set of flows for an MVP. Show it to 20 people, and iterate on their feedback. Find out what is important so when you do start building you build traction right away. All of these are things that a good "Business Guy" should be able to do and will ultimately be responsible for when they do find a cofounder. Sure, pick up a little RoR or JS, but you aren't going to become a startup quality dev in 6-12 months (or likely more). However, in that same time you could do all of the above many times over.

bloomshed 16y ago
Working within the timeframe of the current rate of development in web apps, I'm not the "business person" in my operation because I don't have the time or experience to accomplish what is listed above. I'm the "vision person", I need a developer to make my vision real in the form of an alpha version of the site, then I need a "business person" to come in and connect the dots for the investors to make the thing real. I need a lot of help for sure but my hand is open, I know I can't do this on my own. I haven't found the people to fill the roles I need through my limited professional network. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I'm working on the connections listed in #1 by networking with local developers and applying to the YC winter session. #2 is a big jump for me without a working demo which I'm currently contracting and developing. 14K name mailing list? Yikes, I need an expert for that one. I've attempted #3 already but it's not efficient to design things and then not being able to pay for the coding of all the stuff I design. I need cofounders who have the time, energy, and value system to take my vision and run with it and make it real. I know I sound like a kid writing a letter to Santa but I know that someone is willing to pursue a dream. I just have to find them.

anamax 16y ago

>I have a vision but I can't code. We all have a vision or several. Why should folks who can code work on yours? Seriously - what else do you bring to the table? Note that we're not looking for a "big project", we're looking for a big payoff for us.

bloomshed 16y ago
In my experience, people who have an attitude of doubt or want a guarantee of quick returns immediately disqualify themselves from achieving something earth shattering. You've heard it all before I'm sure, and that's the problem. My project is a long term long shot. It's not for everybody. I'm just being honest. If I could code like Zuckerberg, I wouldn't have to annoy developers so much. What do I bring to the table? Something that hasn't been done before coupled with an understanding that I don't have all the answers, other people who are experts in their particular areas have value to contribute, and I don't care what has to happen to make my vision real as long as my vision doesn't get corrupted or sold short. What is my supposed "vision"? It's not something I toss around in forums. I don't care what the folks at the YC Startup Forum talked about this year, if people are just throwing around ideas with no strings, they're being reckless because they have nothing to gain from their ideas being ripped off. I have bills to pay.
- coryl 16y ago
  Okay, essentially you have no skills to offer. To be blunt, your vision is worthless because everyone thinks their ideas are gold. So here's where you start: pick a few of the things people mentioned and learn them. If you're not into programming, learn marketing things, like building email lists, or work in sales, affiliate marketing, whatever. Just get started, and build from there. Then, once you have a bit more experience and can bring something to the table, you'll be much more valuable.
  - lachyg 16y ago
    Alternatively, money is a pretty good thing to bring to the table.