Thread by Karthik Sridharan
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- Feb 15, 2023
- #StartupInvesting
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Finding a great co-founder for your startup is a game-changer!
The MOST important & toughest decision you will make.
A 3-step framework to help you find the important partner for your startup 👇🏼
The MOST important & toughest decision you will make.
A 3-step framework to help you find the important partner for your startup 👇🏼
Firstly, let's all accept that no "perfect" person exists :)
Your goal here is to find a great co-founder by being specific with your priorities.
The idea here is to not make a compromise but to find one that works perfectly with you.
Your goal here is to find a great co-founder by being specific with your priorities.
The idea here is to not make a compromise but to find one that works perfectly with you.
Finding the perfect co-founder - Steps broken down:
1. Defining expectations.
2. Finding the perfect co-founder.
3. Approaching potential co-founders.
Let's dive in:
1. Defining expectations.
2. Finding the perfect co-founder.
3. Approaching potential co-founders.
Let's dive in:
1. Define your expectations.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
Could I enjoy working with this person?
Could I spend a lot of time with this person?
Could I see myself working well with this person?
You need to be able to work as a team, not as individuals.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
Could I enjoy working with this person?
Could I spend a lot of time with this person?
Could I see myself working well with this person?
You need to be able to work as a team, not as individuals.
1a) Ensure diversity in skill sets.
It isn't ideal to work with someone if you both:
• Have the same strengths
• Have the same weaknesses
• Have the same identical skills
You need diversity to bring in new and better ideas :)
It isn't ideal to work with someone if you both:
• Have the same strengths
• Have the same weaknesses
• Have the same identical skills
You need diversity to bring in new and better ideas :)
1b) Same aspirations about the startup.
While skillsets need to be diverse, the aspirations of the startup need to be similar!
In the end, you need them to be able to:
• Maintain positivity
• Keep you going
Only possible if you are aligned on the goals of the journey :)
While skillsets need to be diverse, the aspirations of the startup need to be similar!
In the end, you need them to be able to:
• Maintain positivity
• Keep you going
Only possible if you are aligned on the goals of the journey :)
2. Searching for the perfect co-founder.
Start by leveraging your personal network to:
• Talk to mutual contacts
• Reach out to potential co-founders
• Of course, put you in touch with them
No better-trusted group than your immediate network itself :)
Start by leveraging your personal network to:
• Talk to mutual contacts
• Reach out to potential co-founders
• Of course, put you in touch with them
No better-trusted group than your immediate network itself :)
2a) Friends as potential co-founders.
Friends are whom we naturally default to.
But this can be quite tricky too - don't want a failed professional relationship to harm your friendship.
So, be careful with this decision.
Friends are whom we naturally default to.
But this can be quite tricky too - don't want a failed professional relationship to harm your friendship.
So, be careful with this decision.
2b) Professional networks.
Don't leave out platforms like:
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Angellist
Many are looking for potential matches here and these networks already give you good information about them :P
You can use this to your advantage and vet it carefully!
Don't leave out platforms like:
• Angellist
Many are looking for potential matches here and these networks already give you good information about them :P
You can use this to your advantage and vet it carefully!
3. Approaching potential co-founders.
Once you're convinced you have the right person
You need to follow these steps to approach them:
Once you're convinced you have the right person
You need to follow these steps to approach them:
Pitch your ideas: They need to understand your vision.
Meet for a catch-up: Get to know each other outside of e-meets.
Start small: Begin with small goals. Focus on mini-projects first.
Review: Hopefully, it works out, but don't hesitate to call it off, if it doesn't.
Meet for a catch-up: Get to know each other outside of e-meets.
Start small: Begin with small goals. Focus on mini-projects first.
Review: Hopefully, it works out, but don't hesitate to call it off, if it doesn't.
TL;DR
1. Define your expectations.
(Ensure there are diverse skill sets and high aspirations)
2. Finding the right co-founder.
(Utilize personal and professional networks)
3. Approaching potential co-founders.
(Pitch your ideas, and get to know them in real life)
1. Define your expectations.
(Ensure there are diverse skill sets and high aspirations)
2. Finding the right co-founder.
(Utilize personal and professional networks)
3. Approaching potential co-founders.
(Pitch your ideas, and get to know them in real life)
That's for reading this thread!
If you enjoyed it, please follow me @karthiks2206 and retweet the first tweet 🙏
I share my experiences, mistakes & learnings while building my startups for founders and startups.
Have a great day :)
If you enjoyed it, please follow me @karthiks2206 and retweet the first tweet 🙏
I share my experiences, mistakes & learnings while building my startups for founders and startups.
Have a great day :)
