Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#31

Post by codegeek » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 1:33 PM UTC

I feel sorry for your co-founder if just going by your post. Are you seriously asking this question ? If your co-founder is any good, give him access to the source code asap and move on with building the business. You are worrying about the wrong stuff.

"Once I get customers, they will be my worth"

Sure and what about your co-founder ?

"but in case of disagreement, I can't go to his laptop/dropbox/drive and delete all the codebase."

No you don't want to do that. Do we need to tell you why ?

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#32

Post by webdisrupt » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:02 PM UTC

Partnership is always about trust....if you already have a trust issue with this person how do you plan on working with them in the future? You have 2 options:

1. Sort out your trust issues 2. Move separate ways by buying out the other guy

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#33

Post by iends » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:38 PM UTC

dudeofjude wrote: post #11

sidcool wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I second your opinion.

So what do you suggest?

Not to start companies with people you don't trust.

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#34

Post by iends » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 2:38 PM UTC

dudeofjude wrote: post #13

gyardley wrote: post #12

You tell him 'here's how you access the source code.' After all, it's his company too. You shouldn't have found a cofounder if you're not willing to do this.

What if he tells me the next week - "my dear friend, I have some other priorities in life, I won't be able to focus on building the startup anymore??" And 3 months down the line I later realize, some friend of his, is running a similar startup??

This is why you have contracts and lawyers.

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#35

Post by sidcool » Tue, Jun 04, 2013, 5:41 PM UTC

dudeofjude wrote: post #11

sidcool wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I second your opinion.

So what do you suggest?

I suggest not joining Zynga after knowing what they are doing. It was difficult to know that a couple of years ago, but now the picture is clear. They are a metrics driven company, nothing more.

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#36

Post by centdev » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 12:22 AM UTC

Give him access if he's a co-founder. Just read-only access so he doesnt go breaking things.

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#37

Post by sasnyde » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 12:39 AM UTC

If you don't trust your co-founder enough to show him the source code then you have a bigger problem here. How are you going to start a company and go thru the ups and downs of startup life with somebody you don't trust?

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#38

Post by FellowTraveler » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 4:29 AM UTC

Get him under contract.

Re: Ask HN: What do I tell my co-founder when he asks access to the source code?

#39

Post by tyang » Thu, Jun 06, 2013, 5:51 PM UTC

Have him sign an IP transfer agreement.

Then:

Give him source code. Or get a co-founder you trust. Or go solo. Or close up and do something else.

Btw, your company is worth zero right now anyway, most likely. Go ahead and try to sell your company right now. Get a firm bid.