How did you find your cofounder?

I wonder if it's not so much primness as a desire to steer threads away from the sort of boring/crude one-liners that reddit can often devolve into.

I assume you've googled around a bit and found there is no simple answer to this question. I'd say posting site like this is your best bet. Do you know what you're looking for? I ran a successful startup/small company and this is my advise - YMMV.

1) you're looking for someone who has similar values yet contrasting /knowledge/skills/abilities (KSA) The similar values makes them a 'potential friend' and that's the best you can aim for. In the past I made the mistake like so many co-founder do, of connecting with ppl because of our common KSA. At first it's very easy to get along with someone who is equally passionate about, say, linux. Over time your conflicting philosophies will lead to a poopy_work_environment(tm)... at which point you'll mostly like start the "why I hate this person" list to help validate breaking apart the company. I assume it's very similar to a marriage/divorce.

2) Understand that nothing is more important than the 'who' The person/ppl you choose to build a company with will make you who you're going to become. If your values are similar you'll agree quickly on possible problems and get up into a high level of creativity when brainstorming solutions. The process will be rapid and you'll alter your ideas with nothing more than an "um" from the other person/co-founder... You'll know exactly what they're thinking. You're a product of your environment so nothing is more important to you than the 'who'.

3) filtering Let's say you get 100 ppl interested in working with you, how do you choose? I recommend tracking down someone who's studied Industrial and Organizational Psychology. I was lucky to find two post-grads from a local university (UW) here in Waterloo and they suggested I read the textbook "Human Resource Selection, 5th ed., by R.D. Gatewood and H.S. Field). They also assisted with a few filters. The best I'd say is to create a 'structured interview'. This will help you interpret a persons values.

4) pick a small 'what' Once you've gathered your 'potential friends', choose a small problem/project to work on -- even if it's for free. Make sure the project is meaty enough (6months?). The purpose is to alpha-test your startup. Especially watch how/if you all resolve conflict. I suggest agreeing before hand on the most pragmatic approach possible... something like, if we reach an impass than we'll flip a coin... watch how the person who didn't get his/her way responds (especially if that's you).

5) try find someone who has already run the race -- successfully! Imagine this 'potential friend' was someone like pg. Their insight will handicap your odds of success.

6) Do not rush it. At worst get a job at Burger King and wait.

I hope that's coherent. I apologize for the length of this post, it wasn't intended. If you have further questions, you can email me at dollarsignfoo@gmail.com -steve

Looks like I have a new goal in life. -23, here I come.

On a related note, have you seen 'Startup.com'?