
I often get asked if I can co-found or refer a co-founder. Here’s my future go-to-answer. Dave Lerner says it best.
“Stop Looking for a Co-Founder. The very act of looking for a co-founder is already a sign that you are hopelessly unprepared.”
“Stop Looking for a Co-Founder. The very act of looking for a co-founder is already a sign that you are hopelessly unprepared.”
The conventional wisdom that you have to find an experienced co-founder to drive your plan forward indicates that you haven’t fully worked out your plan. You don’t yet know where you’re going and that’s why you’re looking for a co-conspirator.
If that’s the position you find yourself in, you need to seriously consider whether you’re doing the right thing pursuing the project in the first place. Going in blind and relying on someone else’s vision and foresight is probably not the best strategy.
You need to upskill.
I’m not saying you have to be the best coder or product designer. However, you do need to understand your product, how it’s developed, what’s going to go into it and how you’re going to get it to market.
Case in point. You’re planning an app, because you have a kick-ass idea. Instead of courting agencies to design and develop it, you’re more likely to succeed if you join some design forums, learn the basics, network in the community and meet people that can help you refine your app and get a prototype developed.
You also generate a lot more value before you have to dilute your ownership.