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I should probably know better than to moralize at people over the internet, but I feel somewhat obligated to give you my own honest opinion about this. And that

I should probably know better than to moralize at people over the internet, but I feel somewhat obligated to give you my own honest opinion about this. And that is that if I were a prospective investor, I would regard this article as a red flag. It's not that you apparently ended up with someone who was a flake. That could happen to anyone. It's that you saw fit to publish and advertise a rant about them in which you chose to refer to them with demeaning language like "worthless chump" and "knobgoblin". That seems to indicate that you've taken on a level of resentment and emotional burden that may eventually cloud your judgement in other situations. I don't think it would establish the characteristic of maturity that an investor would want to see in a founder. I would urge you not to refer investors to this article and instead just try to explain in simple terms that you felt your co-founder did not respect the timelines that were critical for your company. And list the facts, not your opinions. Update: By the way, I'd like to add that it's clear you had a rough ride with this one and I don't feel unsympathetic. But I wouldn't want you to struggle with it any longer than is necessary. Best of luck.

colechristensen 5y ago
Likewise as an investor or prospective employee I would look at this and quite easily be turned away. Here is someone who doesn’t have the register of a leader, and whatever red flags people willingly broadcast, the obvious signs are often only the tip of the iceberg.
smackeyacky 5y ago
I appreciate the feedback, and I do realise this will come across as a potential issue, but hiding things is just as bad. For reference, what's also seen as a red flag by investors is disclosing this after they have engaged, "keeping it private" is seen as deceptive. The company survives on revenue anyway.
- nicolas_t 5y ago
  I wouldn't say keeping it private and that article are your only choices. You should absolutely disclose that you had a cofounder who didn't work out because he turned out to be incompetent. Hiring a cofounder is tough and people make mistake all the time, they've seen that before. But sharing that specific article is a mistake, instead just stating it without emotion is probably better. I know it's tough, I was in a similar position with a cofounder who really didn't work out and I really resonate with that line "I do miss that naive me though, there is something wonderful in trusting your fellow man that I can never quite regain, which is a shame.". My experience also made me lose that bright sunshine of naivety and easy trust that I had and for a long time I was incredibly bitter about my ex cofounder. But, it's not a good strategy to be publish it with a wording this emotional, instead just being very matter of fact about it, describing the main issues in broad terms is enough.
- sshine 5y ago
  I'm happy you had your catharsis, smackeyacky. Mental health is important, and seeing yourself reject bad behavior, as well as sharing your emotions with your peers, are both excellent ways to feel better. If you need to share your anger with the world, this quality essentially has nothing to do with your former partner, but has everything to do with your future partners' perception of your coping strategies. The red flag is that you may spend unnecessary energy holding on to things. The mark of responsibility is sucking up and admitting that it was 100% your mistake, and that he was just a particularly tall rock you had to climb. To quote a musician, scream it to the trees. (Ventilate to those for whom it has zero cost; your spouse, your friends; not all potential future partners.)

colechristensen 5y ago

Likewise as an investor or prospective employee I would look at this and quite easily be turned away. Here is someone who doesn’t have the register of a leader, and whatever red flags people willingly broadcast, the obvious signs are often only the tip of the iceberg.

smackeyacky 5y ago

I appreciate the feedback, and I do realise this will come across as a potential issue, but hiding things is just as bad. For reference, what's also seen as a red flag by investors is disclosing this after they have engaged, "keeping it private" is seen as deceptive. The company survives on revenue anyway.

nicolas_t 5y ago
I wouldn't say keeping it private and that article are your only choices. You should absolutely disclose that you had a cofounder who didn't work out because he turned out to be incompetent. Hiring a cofounder is tough and people make mistake all the time, they've seen that before. But sharing that specific article is a mistake, instead just stating it without emotion is probably better. I know it's tough, I was in a similar position with a cofounder who really didn't work out and I really resonate with that line "I do miss that naive me though, there is something wonderful in trusting your fellow man that I can never quite regain, which is a shame.". My experience also made me lose that bright sunshine of naivety and easy trust that I had and for a long time I was incredibly bitter about my ex cofounder. But, it's not a good strategy to be publish it with a wording this emotional, instead just being very matter of fact about it, describing the main issues in broad terms is enough.
sshine 5y ago
I'm happy you had your catharsis, smackeyacky. Mental health is important, and seeing yourself reject bad behavior, as well as sharing your emotions with your peers, are both excellent ways to feel better. If you need to share your anger with the world, this quality essentially has nothing to do with your former partner, but has everything to do with your future partners' perception of your coping strategies. The red flag is that you may spend unnecessary energy holding on to things. The mark of responsibility is sucking up and admitting that it was 100% your mistake, and that he was just a particularly tall rock you had to climb. To quote a musician, scream it to the trees. (Ventilate to those for whom it has zero cost; your spouse, your friends; not all potential future partners.)