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So you want someone to cofound a company for less than 30% with 2 founders? I wouldn't partner with you if that was your mindset. You're basically saying your

by ohashi 15y ago

So you want someone to cofound a company for less than 30% with 2 founders? I wouldn't partner with you if that was your mindset. You're basically saying your time is worth 3x my time and we should work full time on this. With that sort of disparity at the beginning and a glimpse into your mindset, I would get out. Not worth the hassle. Of course there could be caveats like he isn't working full time or you've already built the product or something to skew it that dramatically. I think the problem here is you honestly. If you're unhappy with the equity distribution and that's all that is on your mind instead of building a good team to bring your product to market and make it successful, you're doomed anyways. Option 1 is always on the table, option 2 won't happen or lead to a good ending if your partner feels cheated from the start (assuming he would even go for it) and option 3, you're the obstacle, can you get around yourself? Option 4, you compromise until you both are happy.

jfdi 15y ago
Interesting take, thanks for taking the time to post it. Maybe it is me, I'm trying to sort that out. We would both be part time, however I'm building the product from scratch - so my hours/week is about 30-40 (with another full time job), whereas he might find a way to fill that much time but it's highly doubtable given no product touch. He'd be researching ways to market it and really come into his own once we have shipped, but then again, so would I as the company's CEO. I've already built the alpha solo, it's pretty cool but has a way to go yet until it's really shippable. I see the value of the marketing co-founder in the mid-long term, but more as a glue and access to his network of engineers. In the immediate term, the term that makes or breaks the company, we either build the product and ship or we don't, and his role in that is limited to giving and perhaps managing feedback. That's the rub for me - 45% (or 30%) at this point is challenging for me to get comfortable with... After reading this extra context, you still think I need to check myself here? Again, thanks.
- ohashi 15y ago
  I get the distinct impression you don't want a cofounder. You seem keen on having engineers, not this guy. You imagine this guy as a conduit to engineers. You don't think he's going to add value anytime soon. I don't think you're going to be able to work around these issues personally. You won't be happy with what he's bringing to the table and I suspect he will be unhappy given your perception of him. I don't think there is a right or wrong here, it's going to be about what you're comfortable with and what he is comfortable with and finding a balance if he's going to cofound with you. To me it sounds more like you want another engineer or two, why not just skip business person and get them as cofounders. I know you mentioned difficulty finding them, but partnering with someone who doesn't help you (in reality or in your head) isn't a step forward.
- sawyer 15y ago
  Yeah, it sounds to me like this person isn't the right fit for you. My initial reaction to the fact that you've already gotten the project rolling is that you'll want more than a 50% share in the resulting company, but you should find someone who you want to share the other 30-40% with who will actually help bring the product to market. If you create something people love it won't be difficult to market when the time comes.

by ohashi 15y ago

jfdi 15y ago

Interesting take, thanks for taking the time to post it. Maybe it is me, I'm trying to sort that out. We would both be part time, however I'm building the product from scratch - so my hours/week is about 30-40 (with another full time job), whereas he might find a way to fill that much time but it's highly doubtable given no product touch. He'd be researching ways to market it and really come into his own once we have shipped, but then again, so would I as the company's CEO. I've already built the alpha solo, it's pretty cool but has a way to go yet until it's really shippable. I see the value of the marketing co-founder in the mid-long term, but more as a glue and access to his network of engineers. In the immediate term, the term that makes or breaks the company, we either build the product and ship or we don't, and his role in that is limited to giving and perhaps managing feedback. That's the rub for me - 45% (or 30%) at this point is challenging for me to get comfortable with... After reading this extra context, you still think I need to check myself here? Again, thanks.

ohashi 15y ago
I get the distinct impression you don't want a cofounder. You seem keen on having engineers, not this guy. You imagine this guy as a conduit to engineers. You don't think he's going to add value anytime soon. I don't think you're going to be able to work around these issues personally. You won't be happy with what he's bringing to the table and I suspect he will be unhappy given your perception of him. I don't think there is a right or wrong here, it's going to be about what you're comfortable with and what he is comfortable with and finding a balance if he's going to cofound with you. To me it sounds more like you want another engineer or two, why not just skip business person and get them as cofounders. I know you mentioned difficulty finding them, but partnering with someone who doesn't help you (in reality or in your head) isn't a step forward.
sawyer 15y ago
Yeah, it sounds to me like this person isn't the right fit for you. My initial reaction to the fact that you've already gotten the project rolling is that you'll want more than a 50% share in the resulting company, but you should find someone who you want to share the other 30-40% with who will actually help bring the product to market. If you create something people love it won't be difficult to market when the time comes.