This is a tricky problem given its a people problem in a company with only a few people. There seems to be some good advice in the comments here. Would you please post a follow-up and let us know how things went?
My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab
61–65 of 65 posts
Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
Would CUXO be happy as Chief Product Officer? The whole thing sounds pretty silly, but if you want to be CTO, then CPO seems like a reasonable thing to offer CUXO (if you think he’s any good at product stuff, anyway).
If the CUXO is not a narcissist and does take the companies interest into account, this is probably the most cogent idea in the thread. CUXO is obviously a ridiculous title as are both CDO titles.
Yeah this seems to make sense. You should have a CTO and CPO is also logical. If your startup is growing fast you should be changing the structure regularly and be ready to adapt to the change.
Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab
#63If you are that confident posting this to Hacker News that he won't read this then I don't think he is CTO material. lol
Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab
#64[flagged]
Re: My startup crossed $2M/yr and now co-founder is going for a power grab
#65You have to play hardball. If someone else is being political and you try to avoid politics, you’ll get crushed. The fact that your co-founders are not getting involved means they don’t think your CUXO’s claims are outrageous— that’s a problem because you think you do. Meet 1-1 with everyone, including the CUXO. Tell them you don’t support this decision. Ideally tell them you should be CTO. Making CTO a banner title…
> Ideally tell them you should be CTO.
This.
Ask them all individually why they think the CTO position should exist, and what the role would entail, and what kind of person would be best suited for this position. You are all creating a new position at your company, do it properly.
After you have this information, find out why he thinks he is better suited for the role than you. From what you have said, you are a more suitable candidate.
Don't just let him invent a title for himself. Create the role and fill it with the most suitable person.