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lucifer - I'd turn the tables on this deal. What is the value proposition of the non-technical co-founder? What is he bringing to the table? Money, ideas, custo

by rcmorin 17y ago

lucifer - I'd turn the tables on this deal. What is the value proposition of the non-technical co-founder? What is he bringing to the table? Money, ideas, customers, investors, partnerships, IP, co-founders? He generated the idea: yipee. Biz guys and idea generators are over-rated. There is no marketplace for ideas, and business plans are worth less than the price of the paper they're printed on. He cannot execute, and needs someone to do his bidding. There is no business at this point - just a compelling, unique idea and chicken scratches on napkins. All this talk about signing NDAs, pricing shares, and seeking VC $ is a waste of time. Focus on (1) building a team, (2) coding a basic v.1.0, and (3) finding users. If you can get past the prototype stage, then some more serious conversations can begin.

lucifer 17y ago
That pretty much sums up my thoughts. Not quite sure what you mean by "get past the prototype stage, then some more serious conversations can begin." Do you mean build it on my own and retain code ownership?
- rcmorin 17y ago
  I'd ask myself a blunt question: why do I need this guy? Why am I so attracted to this compelling idea? If you're a smart engineer, you can be the idea generator and the coder. That way you can retain full ownership, and then recruit the business guy. I'd reasses your approach to this potential partnership. Ideas and code are property of the business. Your compensation comes with equity and % ownership. I'd state clearly what each of you plans to contribute to the future of this venture, and how the two of you will work together to make this succeed. Ex. I will focus on engineering; he will be the biz guy who focuses on fundraising, handling investors, doing sales, crafting product vision, etc.
- dannyr 17y ago
  I was working with a non-technical guy before for an app. He was insisting 50-50 even though most of the task we have is coding and I was doing all the work. I asked him to shell out some money just to make it fair. His quote for a couple of week's worth of work for me was $300. I felt insulted and walked away from the project.

by rcmorin 17y ago

lucifer 17y ago

That pretty much sums up my thoughts. Not quite sure what you mean by "get past the prototype stage, then some more serious conversations can begin." Do you mean build it on my own and retain code ownership?

rcmorin 17y ago
I'd ask myself a blunt question: why do I need this guy? Why am I so attracted to this compelling idea? If you're a smart engineer, you can be the idea generator and the coder. That way you can retain full ownership, and then recruit the business guy. I'd reasses your approach to this potential partnership. Ideas and code are property of the business. Your compensation comes with equity and % ownership. I'd state clearly what each of you plans to contribute to the future of this venture, and how the two of you will work together to make this succeed. Ex. I will focus on engineering; he will be the biz guy who focuses on fundraising, handling investors, doing sales, crafting product vision, etc.
dannyr 17y ago
I was working with a non-technical guy before for an app. He was insisting 50-50 even though most of the task we have is coding and I was doing all the work. I asked him to shell out some money just to make it fair. His quote for a couple of week's worth of work for me was $300. I felt insulted and walked away from the project.