5 Qualities Co-founder(s) Must Have

Greetings from Favcy VB,

Two facts:

1. A founder cannot do everything on his own. (We know you know!)
2. Onboarding a co-founder has a lot of hassles.? (We know you know this as well!)

So, what are the top 5 things you need to look for in co-founder(s) to evaluate him/her/them? We just have the right guide for you to find the best-fitting co-founder for your startup! ???

(No wonder you’ve researched a lot about finding the right co-founder, but we’ve consolidated a crisp guide that will surely come in handy.)

We understand you have strived to build the idea and you must be afraid to share it with anyone. But, a rightly made decision (like onboarding a co-founder) can lead your startup to success.?

In the challenging startup world where pitching investors, building strategies, and budgeting can be crucial for you, having a co-founder to share the responsibilities and pressure can make things a lot easier and fun. ????

Some reasons to have a co-founder could be improved productivity, moral support, and reduced risk of loss. Also, you can get a lot more work done and get better results if you have a co-founder with complementary skills so they can do the job you are not best at, you are better at marketing and your partner at managing a team.

Instead of finding just a co-founder, want a whole troop of startup-building experts who can help in co-building?

Co-build with us

Look for these qualities in your co-founder ??

Every startup has unique needs — yours might require deep technical expertise, while others may need a strong focus on team dynamics — so, take a moment to assess what your startup truly needs and what gaps you need to fill.?

Once you have a clear picture, start finding the right co-founder who complements those needs.?

1/ Skills that complement your skillset ??

Know your weaknesses to understand who would fit you. A frequent mistake is choosing a co-founder with similar skills instead of someone with different strengths.?

(And you’d not want to do that!)

For example, if you as a founder excel in technology, the other should ideally have expertise in startup or marketing.?

Additionally, balancing personality traits is crucial. If both founders struggle with public speaking, it can impair their ability to pitch to investors or engage with clients. The unique strengths of each founder should enhance and support the other’s skills. Startups thrive with two partners who bring balanced and complementary abilities to the table.

2/ Sharing (the same vision) is caring ??

Look for someone who will prioritize the startup as much as you do. Align on the vision and goals you both have for the startup in the future, you guys should envision success and plan how to achieve it together.?

This alignment guarantees that both are working towards the same end and are equally invested in the journey.

3/ Trustworthiness (it’s hard, but not impossible) ??

More or less, having a co-founder is like having a married partner.

When considering working with someone as a co-founder, the best people are those, with whom you have some sort of personal experience, whom you can trust in tough situations, and if you don’t know them personally, do some projects together before onboarding. This will help you learn how they will react in stressful situations.

(And if this isn’t possible, go on a few dates and take a vacation before taking the co-founding vows. ??)

4/ Communication is the ??

Well, you might already know that marriage doesn't work well without communication.?

(Sorry, if we unintentionally struck a nerve!??)

Clear and effective communication in a startup would mean regularly discussing ideas, challenges, and strategies to work on and putting your perspective in the conversation, this ensures well-informed decision-making for the startup.?

Look for someone who can understand your perspective on the problem while making decisions for both of yours’ startup.?

(Yes, always use “us” instead of “I” or “me” statements.)

5/ Networking is always working??

Look for a co-founder who has valuable connections in the industry.?

It's not a must but would help build community for your startup. If you already have a co-founder (or a potential co-founder in your pipeline) with a strong network, it can open numerous doors for investors, clients, and customers.

Conclusion

We get it! Finding a perfect co-founder is hard AF. ????

But not impossible! ??

All you need to find is somebody you can work with throughout the journey and make it a success rather than looking for a perfect person.?

But remember, it's more work than luck >>>

• Look into your group,?
• Meet new people from the startup community to find a person who aligns with your startup goals,?
• And see if you guys can work successfully on a project that involves plenty of decision-making(check your compatibility)

Start your search today (if not yet started) with intent, and you might just find that your ideal co-founder is closer than you think. ??

And you know what??

If all these fail, then India’s largest venture builders , who have co-built 35+ startups, are crashing into your mailbox with this newsletter who can support our vision & our startup. ????

Reach out to us, we don’t bite. ??

(And if you already did, you’re a legend??)