"I can code really shoddily" Ideally you need a technical co-founder. If you are starting a software company, at least 1 founder needs to be really good at cre

"I can code really shoddily" Ideally you need a technical co-founder. If you are starting a software company, at least 1 founder needs to be really good at creating software with actual experience. Having said that, don't settle for anyone and keep trying. You CAN build an MVP without a technical co-founder (some yourself or with freelancers etc if you can afford it) and get 10 paying customers. But you need one if you want to build a real software company and not just a side project with a few paying customers. "How do I find engineers who are leaders and willing to work with me" Show. Don't tell. Get an MVP done somehow and then get 10 paying customers. Heck, get 5. Show that you are the real deal and mean business. Then you have to talk about it everywhere. Think of it as sales. You have to sell yourself/your vision/your company to someone who may have similar interests. But any good experience technical person won't join you unless you do these things first.