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I've done both. Solo Pros: less communication overhead, rapid decision making, unified direction, do things your way, full ownership Solo Cons: lack of mental

I've done both. Solo Pros: less communication overhead, rapid decision making, unified direction, do things your way, full ownership Solo Cons: lack of mental support, heavy burden, all falls on you, context-switching between tasks (e.g., building v. talking to users), in tough times you must find your own support network, less manpower Cofounder Pros: divvy up roles, combine diverse skillsets, mental support, camaraderie, make use of strengths of multiple people, investors like teams, can boost each other up in tough times, bouncing ideas off each other and brainstorming can lead to breakthroughs Cofounder Cons: potential for disputes and conflict, compromise can worsen results, must agree and unite, easy to end up with a bad cofounder, must continue to nurture relationship Common saying: "go fast alone, go farther together" You can also start solo and bring on cofounders once you feel you need it.

0des 5y ago
> You can also start solo and bring on cofounders once you feel you need it. Thanks for the reply. How do you know when it is time to do this?
- ngokevin 5y ago
  I can't really say since I never reached that stage, but I imagine you'll know for yourself if that time comes (e.g., need more skillsets, can't keep up with demand, growing too fast you can't handle it alone, burning yourself out, finding a natural fit).
- mckleroy 5y ago
  Currently building a binocular company. Was able to get the product / design / marketing / ecomm going solo, brought on partner once the product market fit was proven to help with fin / ops. That made more sense than to start at the beginning, as the fin / ops was not much for the first few years (intense product / marketing tho).
  - ksec 5y ago
    How did you split your shares? Equal part?
    - ngokevin 5y ago
      Not OP, but if it's a full-on growth startup, one advice from a YC video is 50/50. Because the majority of the company building is still ahead of you (think 10 year timeline). And you want a true cofounder to have full skin in the game. This varies on the situation of course.
      - ksec 5y ago
        Make sense. Thanks.
codegeek 5y ago
As a solo founder so far, I approve this message.
- cblconfederate 5y ago
  .. all by yourself
23david 5y ago
> Common saying: "go fast alone, go farther together" Great advice.

0des 5y ago

> You can also start solo and bring on cofounders once you feel you need it. Thanks for the reply. How do you know when it is time to do this?

ngokevin 5y ago
I can't really say since I never reached that stage, but I imagine you'll know for yourself if that time comes (e.g., need more skillsets, can't keep up with demand, growing too fast you can't handle it alone, burning yourself out, finding a natural fit).
mckleroy 5y ago
Currently building a binocular company. Was able to get the product / design / marketing / ecomm going solo, brought on partner once the product market fit was proven to help with fin / ops. That made more sense than to start at the beginning, as the fin / ops was not much for the first few years (intense product / marketing tho).
- ksec 5y ago
  How did you split your shares? Equal part?
  - ngokevin 5y ago
    Not OP, but if it's a full-on growth startup, one advice from a YC video is 50/50. Because the majority of the company building is still ahead of you (think 10 year timeline). And you want a true cofounder to have full skin in the game. This varies on the situation of course.
    - ksec 5y ago
      Make sense. Thanks.

codegeek 5y ago

As a solo founder so far, I approve this message.

cblconfederate 5y ago
.. all by yourself

23david 5y ago

> Common saying: "go fast alone, go farther together" Great advice.