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My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

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Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#21

Post by ggm »

potluckdinner wrote: post #4
ggm wrote: post #2

Lawyer. Keep them on a short leash, they can fuck it up. At the very least consult one and pay for it up front not in arrears to some subsequent drama. Possibly even use a disposable good lawyer to avoid being over amped. If they know there's no subsequent business they may be more dispassionate. It may be impossible to remain amicable once you lawyer up. Using "I saw a lawyer" or "I am seeing a lawyer" as a weapon w…

I think that's basically the nuclear option that I really want to avoid. I think it would cause irreparable damage to the group especially at this moment where it's very possible the company is about to significantly increase in value. To be clear, I haven't had a talk with CUXO yet, so maybe I'll just explain my reasoning and he'll accept it. However, I don't feel like that's likely. It's hard to explain but I feel…

Obviously based on my own prior experience in a mildly analogous space, I agree to its nuclear consequences/effects introducing third parties of any kind.

Some of what you say goes to a loss of trust and full disclosure to motivation and intent between you which is sad, but alas also very normal.

But I do suggest you at least seek advise from somebody you pay, to advocate to you, privately of what is normal and also necessary here.

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#23

Post by pcurve »

Who is more replaceable? You or the cuxo?

What would happen if CUXO were to quit?

Who is more qualified to be a CTO between you and him going forward? i.e. If the company were to scale x2, x5, x10, would you or the him be able to fulfill the duty better?

Would the CEO and COO agree?

At what point do you need a dedicated CTO that is neither you or the CUXO?

How much leverage do you have over the CEO and COO? Does COO have your back?

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#24

Post by potluckdinner »

swyx wrote: post #6

> CEO and COO said that didn't want to get involved and it was for me and CUXO to sort it out ourselves. uhm, no. CEO's job is to run the company and this is tearing it apart. he cannot shirk this responsibility. very sorry you are running into this situation. sounds like the 5 of you were NOT full time up til recently? i would suggest recapitalizing the company if possible (i have no idea how this works) since your…

I went full time first about 2 years ago. Since then the remaining members have gone full time one by one with the CUXO being the last to go full time scheduled for July 1st.

CDO was bought out last year with his equity being distributed evenly.

>uhm, no. CEO's job is to run the company and this is tearing it apart. he cannot shirk this responsibility.

Yes, I agree. I'm hoping to resolve with without needing him to come in to mediate but it feels unavoidable and I think it will ultimately cause harm to the group. I'm also concerned because I feel like I need to start actively guarding against the CUXO from trying to encroach on my area in an attempt to assert himself as a "leader"

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#25

Post by tacitusarc »

Propose that an office of the CTO is created which would be responsible for high level technical direction and promoting technical excellence, and he could be in charge of and lead a dev or so in in that role. Jointly, a General Manager (GM) of Product Development role which reports directly to the CEO should be created, which you could step into. All development would be under that GM role, including the UX and DB teams. The product development team would be responsible for maintaining the existing product, as well as architecting new solutions and features.

If all he really wants is the title, this would give him that. Meanwhile, it gives you ownership.

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#26

Post by potluckdinner »

NoRelToEmber wrote: post #5

A good title to help further his career seems like a valid concern (even if the title itself may not be legitimate), but so are your concerns. You could put the burden of finding a solution on him? Share your concerns - that you did the bulk of back-end technical work, and feel that giving someone else the CTO title would devalue it. If he can find a way to get a better title (CTO or something else) without devaluing…

Appreciate the reply.

I think this is probably the best approach, however I find it hard to believe there is a possible title that he could suggest that wouldn't similarly undermine me somehow.

I'm trying to avoid the conversation turning into an argument about whose done what for the company because I think it would irreparably harm our already tense working relationship, however I think without a doubt I have overwhelmingly been responsible for the companies success from a CTO perspective, especially since taking over the responsibilities of the former Chief Dev Officer. So much so, during client calls I'm often introduced as the CTO by our CEO. CUXO has had practically zero client interactions since he has so far not been working full time for the company.

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#27

Post by ITB »

I assume you are all board members also. It’s the job of the board to make sure silly stuff like this doesn’t get out of hand. Force the leadership team to make a decision.

By the way the sort of rules that dictate everyone will be equal or some title shall not be given, never last. The more you attach yourself to it, the more likely you’ll lose. Rather than sticking with “there should be no CTO”, just make the case for you being CTO.

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#28

Post by zamfi »

Avoid working with people who care primarily about titles.

Is the CEO actually a CEO? I.e., does everyone else report to them? If so, they should get involved and help you resolve.

If they don’t want to, take your equity, cut your losses and move on.

Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab

#30

Post by potluckdinner »

ggm wrote: post #21
potluckdinner wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that's basically the nuclear option that I really want to avoid. I think it would cause irreparable damage to the group especially at this moment where it's very possible the company is about to significantly increase in value. To be clear, I haven't had a talk with CUXO yet, so maybe I'll just explain my reasoning and he'll accept it. However, I don't feel like that's likely. It's hard to explain but I feel…

Obviously based on my own prior experience in a mildly analogous space, I agree to its nuclear consequences/effects introducing third parties of any kind. Some of what you say goes to a loss of trust and full disclosure to motivation and intent between you which is sad, but alas also very normal. But I do suggest you at least seek advise from somebody you pay, to advocate to you, privately of what is normal and also…

I'm not sure what new advice a lawyer could give since we sort of already went through this last year when we bought out the Chief Dev Officers equity. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like I have a solid understanding of what our contract entitles us to. My main concerns are basically navigating this without dirupting the team dynamic as well as guarding against future attempts from CUXO to get power in the org.
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