Having a co-founder significantly increases the chances of startup success by providing increased productivity, better brainstorming, accountability, and moral support.
Use resources like the YC Cofounder Matching platform to find a compatible co-founder, focusing on aligned goals, values, communication styles, and complementary skills.
Establish clear expectations, decision-making processes, and accountability structures to build trust and effectively work with a co-founder over the long-term.
Meeting Notes:
Co-founders
A co-founder is someone who starts a startup with you and has at least 10% equity
Having a co-founder dramatically increases chances of startup success
Key benefits: increased productivity, better brainstorming, accountability, moral support
Empirical data: Only 4 out of YC's top 100 companies were founded by a solo founder, most successful companies have multiple founders (e.g. Microsoft, Apple, Facebook)
Look within your network first - friends, classmates, colleagues
Use YC's Cofounder Matching platform
40,000 co-founders, 100,000 total users on the platform
Example: Zebrain co-founders met and vibed instantly
Example: TD BioSciences took a structured approach over time
Tips for using the platform: Put a lot of effort into your profile - brag, show accomplishments, meet people in-person if possible, 70% of matches happen within 2 weeks
Treat it like a marriage - you'll spend a lot of time together
Have early conversations to align on: Goals, values, communication styles, finances, commitment levels
Complementary skills are good but not absolutely necessary - focus on compatibility
Consider doing a trial project together to test working relationship
General advice is to split equity equally by default
Avoid issues like "I came up with the idea", "I took a salary", claiming one deserves more
Equity splits should be about fairness and keeping everyone motivated long-term
Set clear expectations upfront on: Work hours, response times, going without salary, milestones
Create space for mistakes, don't attack ("I told you so")
Have regularly scheduled 1-on-1s for open discussions
Trust people by default until they lose your trust
Follow through on commitments or communicate honestly