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Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

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Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#11

Post by dkokelley »

chaostheory wrote: post #3
edw519 wrote: post #2

"I am not a programmer" - "I will divide equity equally" Aren't these 2 statements a little inconsistent? "I do have what I consider to be strong ideas" Don't we all? I have a feeling that you need to get used to the idea that a web startup is all about building the product (at least at this stage). 2 non-programmers = bad 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker = better 2 hackers = best I really don't mean to pick and I certain…

I agree. ideas are cheap (and they tend to change too). unless the idea requires a lot of biz dev (sales), I also fail to see the logic of a 50 50 split - unless money is involved

Do a 25-25 split (26 maybe, to have >50%) and hold the rest in the company so you don't lose control as you begin funding yourselves.

Startups (tech startups specifically) are a pass/fail course. You either all get money, or all get nothing (taken from one of PGs essays I'm sure). It's pointless to argue over equity except in order to keep control.

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#13

Post by colellm »

dkokelley wrote: post #10

Although not having a programmer on your team as a founder will hurt your chances if you're applying to YC, if your idea is sound and you are flexible you could always hire someone (even contract someone or outsource it) to build your idea, just make sure that person is pretty invested in making a good product, not just "doing a job". In addition to regular pay, you should still offer a good amount of equity (non-con…

Yeah. I would not apply to ycombinator without a programming co-founder (I am going to apply to launchboxdigital though).

Definately have considered "hiring" someone, but I wanted to exhaust trying to find a co-founder first.

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#14

Post by mhidalgo »

Don't let anyone tell you can't do it, where there is a will there is way. I do have to say that if you don't find someone if you are serious about this you should build a prototype yourself. I think even if doesn't become the actual site , the experience you will learn will be invaluable. Also if I was a person who you were recruiting it would impress me that you cared that much to learn. Plus you ability to communicate with a technical co-founder will be that much better. I also think don't underestimate the power of prototype to get you funding.

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#15

Post by webwright »

colellm wrote: post #12
alaskamiller wrote: post #8

http://www.projectwedding.com/ a YC related company

Yup. Know Y combinator funded them. Actually, brings up another point. Curious what people think about applying to ycombinator if they have funded a potential competitor of your company in the past??

How long do you think it would take for YC to run out of markets if they limited it to one company per? It's fine, unless you're aiming for a direct ripoff (at least, that's my opinion! ;-) )

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#16

Post by edw519 »

colellm wrote: post #5
edw519 wrote: post #2

"I am not a programmer" - "I will divide equity equally" Aren't these 2 statements a little inconsistent? "I do have what I consider to be strong ideas" Don't we all? I have a feeling that you need to get used to the idea that a web startup is all about building the product (at least at this stage). 2 non-programmers = bad 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker = better 2 hackers = best I really don't mean to pick and I certain…

I knew I would probably get attacked on this post in some way. I am not naive and I do realize my limitations. Additionally, in a business you are looking ideally for individuals who complement yourself in skills (i.e. one business person, one technology person). What is wrong with 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker sharing equity equally? I realize product development is paramount. I do not expect to be twiddling my thumbs…

I did not mean to attack, sorry if you took it that way. Just trying to give you honest feedback.

"What is wrong with 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker sharing equity equally?"

Nothing if you can find someone to do it. Great deal for you.

No one is accusing you of "twiddling my thumbs". Your mere presence here suggests otherwise.

I'm only suggesting that in the earliest stages, 90% (or more) of the work that has to be done is hacking, pure and simple. This would be like me opening a hair salon and splitting equity with someone who knows how to cut hair. Sure, there's lots of other stuff to do, but the main thing that needs to get done is hair cutting.

Maybe with advanced tools, outsourcing, and some quick learning, you can prove me wrong. I sense from your posts you're the kind of person you can.

Again, I hope you find your match and find great success. Keep us posted. (And someday, come back and let me know how wrong I was.)

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#17

Post by chaostheory »

colellm wrote: post #6
sarosh wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I respectfully disagree with edw519. While your assessment that you are indeed not a "programmer" may be technically accurate, but, if this is you: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/B06/B99 then I think you sufficiently qualify under a very broad definition of a hacker, or, alternatively, you are quite technical yourself. While you may currently feel you need a co-founder for your project who is a "programmer", you shoul…

Thanks for the advice. Right now, I would like to continue in my hunt for a co-founder but do plan on trying to pick up some knowledge of programming even if I do find someone to work with.

regardless of whether you have previous knowledge or not, if you're willing to program (whether it's front end or back) and you do learn, even if it is on the fly, for this project... then maybe a 50 50 split does make sense...

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#18

Post by colellm »

edw519 wrote: post #16
colellm wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I knew I would probably get attacked on this post in some way. I am not naive and I do realize my limitations. Additionally, in a business you are looking ideally for individuals who complement yourself in skills (i.e. one business person, one technology person). What is wrong with 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker sharing equity equally? I realize product development is paramount. I do not expect to be twiddling my thumbs…

I did not mean to attack, sorry if you took it that way. Just trying to give you honest feedback. "What is wrong with 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker sharing equity equally?" Nothing if you can find someone to do it. Great deal for you. No one is accusing you of "twiddling my thumbs". Your mere presence here suggests otherwise. I'm only suggesting that in the earliest stages, 90% (or more) of the work that has to be done…

Thanks :) Didn't mean to sound defensive. I posted expecting responses similar to yours. Initially I was naive but a little networking in the tech community solved that pretty quickly.

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#19

Post by webwright »

colellm wrote: post #5
edw519 wrote: post #2

"I am not a programmer" - "I will divide equity equally" Aren't these 2 statements a little inconsistent? "I do have what I consider to be strong ideas" Don't we all? I have a feeling that you need to get used to the idea that a web startup is all about building the product (at least at this stage). 2 non-programmers = bad 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker = better 2 hackers = best I really don't mean to pick and I certain…

I knew I would probably get attacked on this post in some way. I am not naive and I do realize my limitations. Additionally, in a business you are looking ideally for individuals who complement yourself in skills (i.e. one business person, one technology person). What is wrong with 1 non-programmer + 1 hacker sharing equity equally? I realize product development is paramount. I do not expect to be twiddling my thumbs…

I'm curious what you'd be doing for 40-60 hours a week while your partner(s) hack. I'm not being snippy. In fact, I am the least technical of 3 hackers on our team (currently YC08). I do all of the Photoshop work, html, css, JavaScript, light Rails, customer communication, copywriting, analytics, cooking (I'm serious), pitching, etc.

But if I took out the BUILDING stuff (design prototyping and front-end development), I wouldn't be a critical asset to the first 3-6 months of product development. I could certainly keep myself busy, but I wouldn't be critical.

If I were in your shoes, I'd focus on pitching why you are critical. Having ideas and being a user in your target market doesn't cut the mustard IMO. And an early stage team doesn't need a project manager, or detailed spec sheets, or other "manager-y" stuff.

That being said, there are startups that could really benefit from early sales/biz dev efforts. I know of at least one YC08 company that has a founder who is selling the hell out of their offering already (for real dollars). THAT has real value, but it really only applies to certain startups (a UGC site like I think you're after isn't one of 'em).

Re: Seeking Technology Co-Founder (NYC)

#20

Post by dkokelley »

colellm wrote: post #12
alaskamiller wrote: post #8

http://www.projectwedding.com/ a YC related company

Yup. Know Y combinator funded them. Actually, brings up another point. Curious what people think about applying to ycombinator if they have funded a potential competitor of your company in the past??

YC is an investment company. They certainly do help their investments to do well, but I don't think they would keep from funding a similar company if they think it will increase their potential return.

After all, they expect a good deal of their companies to fail. If they didn't fail because of the idea then doubling up through a similar company is a good way to increase their odds. They might not fund competitors in the same cycle though.

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