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Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

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11–19 of 19 posts

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#11
I have found that having a cofounder makes the process a little more easier. I tend to become more motivated when I feel that someone else is also dedicated to the cause. I think it is essential for killing bad ideas and thinking more creatively too. We come up with better ideas together than we do on our own. I know I have bad ideas sometimes but without that input from someone also involved in the company I find that the feedback I get isn't as beneficial.

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#12
I understand most of these points completely. The problem I am having is finding the RIGHT cofounder. I have run with my idea for about 18 months now, and I am now just starting to get serious about it from a business stand point. Now I am frantically looking for cofounders to join me but everybody seems like they are missing a key component. A lot of people are "stoked" about the idea and thought of starting their own company and are great to bounce ideas off of, but when it comes down to it they just don’t do the work. I don’t want to settle just to find a cofounder quickly, but I also feel like investors won’t take me as seriously unless I have a founding team.

What do you think?

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#13
I've started a few ventures, 2 solo, 1 w/ partner, 2 w/ partners. For me, its just a matter of knowing my strengths, knowing the goal, and then being resourceful.

Having a partner is one solution to a missing set of needs - but it also comes with a lot of baggage in many cases. Getting meaninful perspectives can come from anywhere if you have a good network and leverage it. Massive workloads can be solved with leadership skills, effecient use of capital and human resource management.

First time around sure wish I had a partner - I was crazy to be on my own. Now, I feel like a partner has to be a very strong fit to be best alternative.

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#16

Another question: Let's say you've already spent considerable time (12-24 months, say) developing a product and then find somebody to partner with. What is the breakdown in company ownership? Certainly not 50/50 or even 60/40, I would think.

So when I was reading Book "The Perfect Store" by Adam Cohen, I found out that similar was the Situation for Ebay. John Stokes joined later than Pierre Omidyar, so they decided with different equity levels. I guess it was 28/72. Not sure..

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#18
post #12

I understand most of these points completely. The problem I am having is finding the RIGHT cofounder. I have run with my idea for about 18 months now, and I am now just starting to get serious about it from a business stand point. Now I am frantically looking for cofounders to join me but everybody seems like they are missing a key component. A lot of people are "stoked" about the idea and thought of starting their o…

see here

Re: Is having cofounder at early stage really that important?

#19
post #18
post #12

I understand most of these points completely. The problem I am having is finding the RIGHT cofounder. I have run with my idea for about 18 months now, and I am now just starting to get serious about it from a business stand point. Now I am frantically looking for cofounders to join me but everybody seems like they are missing a key component. A lot of people are "stoked" about the idea and thought of starting their o…

see here

http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=2615
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