Many founders obsess over finding an ideal technical co-founder without taking a moment to look in the mirror to find the next best thing.
Having a technical co-founder is great if you can find one, but it should not stand in the way of building your startup. Waiting on someone that might not show up could stunt your growth.
While this may not work for everyone, it is something to consider if you have limited resources.
Finding a Technical Co-Founder
Pros
The main benefit of finding a technical co-founder is to have someone else handle the technical side of the business. They know how to code and they can build your app from scratch so you don’t have to. It can be a match made in heaven with the right person.
Cons
No One Will Understand Your Vision Better Than You Do
You probably have a vision in your head about how your site will look and function, but no one else can see it. You can hire someone to build it, but they still may not get it. If you can create your own MVP, you will at least have a have a blueprint in place once you start working with other people.
It can be difficult to articulate your vision to someone else and they may not understand what you are trying to achieve.
Even if you hire an independent contractor, you may end up going through several people if they don’t get it right the first time which will take longer and cost you even more money.
You’re Dealing With Another Personality and Agenda
A technical co-founder will also come along with their own personality and agenda. If they build your app, they may feel like they should own the majority of the company. They may object to your business decisions and you could even run into some personality conflicts.
The sad reality is that many startups are afflicted by these types of conflicts and things can get very messy if you decide to part ways. Make sure that you discuss who owns what, how decisions will be made and what will happen if someone decides to leave. You’ll also want to get all of this information in writing for legal reasons.
It May Be Difficult to Persuade Them
You will need to have a very competitive offer to persuade a programmer to leave their current job and join a startup. This could mean a hefty salary or large equity stake in the business. There is also the possibility that other startups may try to recruit this person too. It may take you months just to find the right person and once you do, you’ll probably want them to sign an NDA before you start sharing proprietary information with them.
Becoming the Technical Co-Founder
Pros
You Can Execute Your Vision
You know exactly what you want and now you have the opportunity to bring it to life on your terms. You can be as creative as you want and break all the rules to create something that the world has never seen before.
Total Independence
Without a technical co-founder, you’ll be free to make your own choices until you consciously choose to bring a business partner on board. If you have a technical co-founder, you’ll automatically have to answer to someone else just because they built the app.
It’s Free
Doing it yourself is completely free aside from the cost of any of the study materials or resources you purchase.
Cons
It can be time consuming
It can take a while to learn how to code and your first prototype might not live up to your expectations. The learning curve is high and you’ll have to be determined not to give up in the midst of your frustration.
Online Coding Resources
Here is a list of online coding resources.
Think carefully about what will work best for you and your business. If you choose to work with a technical co-founder, be sure to find someone that is compatible with your personality and long-term goals. If you decide to go it alone, then make a promise to yourself to stick with it no matter what.
