I believe it comes down to personality and maturity. My own experience is with solo success and a few projects with co-founders dying in early prototyping stag

I believe it comes down to personality and maturity. My own experience is with solo success and a few projects with co-founders dying in early prototyping stage. In short, some of the things people benefit from externally from a co-founder, I learned to internalize. I have needed to consciously increase my introspection, know when to trust my instincts and when not to and be 100% self-motivating all the time, even when I am feeling low. I don't think 24 year old me could have done this. I don't think I would know when I was wrong or recognize want vs. need fast enough to prevent serious failures from happening. 36 year old me is very good at it. The maturity, willingness to question my choices in a positive manner and self discipline I gained in that time has made it possible for me. edit: I also think it has allowed me to be a better bootstrapper and avoid the need to seek out seed money. 36 year old me is comfortable with both knowing what should be done, doing it. For example, YC would be worthwhile for me, but I would never change a thing about my plans just to get in.