Are you at a stage where you are wondering if you need a Co-founder and also, where to start? If that is the case, then this is the article for you, we share our own journey, key considerations and best platforms to find a Co-founder.
Othership founders, Ben and Arnaud co-founding journey was not a linear and straightforward one. During their employment stints, opportunities to work together and drive for self-development brought them together to provide a solution of providing flexible and distributed workspaces for professionals and organisations. The problem-solving duo with a flair for creating Saas (software as a service), attracted a strong workplace community that is still growing. Today, Othership continues to remain flexible and relatable in the space of creating leading solutions for
We have been asked by founders in the Othership community for years about co-founder initiatives, we thought why not us provide you with the link? This article kicked off our vision for providing a co-founding matchmaking service.
We present three ways towards finding your perfect Co-founder.
- Take action with our quick and innovative registration with Othership Co-founder matchmaking, all we need is for you to answer one key question plus your contact details (name and email) and we are done. We will get in touch with next steps, get in now to gain priority acknowledgement. Apply here today.
- The Othership Slack community allows founders from all over the world to connect in a relaxed way, and the team are always there to help steer you to the community members suited to you. If online isn’t your thing they also have networking events you can join, or meet up in a physical workspace, many free to use.
- Othership Studio, provides a more mentorship lead approach. The studio team are experts in their own fields and are active members of the Othership community. While this has an element of cost, the team, can be your Co-founder at a distance or help you navigate the world of finding one.
Covered in the article, 3 key questions to ask yourself:
- Do I need a Co-founder?
- What is the best way to find a Co-founder?
- What are the qualities of a great Co-founder?
Do I need a Co-founder?
Whether or not you need a Co-founder depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of your business, your personal strengths and weaknesses, your resources, and your goals. That said, in most cases, yes, it’s better to have a Co-founder.
A Co-founder brings complementary skills and expertise to the table, which will help you build a stronger business. For example, if you are a technical person, but lack experience in marketing and sales, a Co-founder with marketing and sales skills is extremely valuable, and vice versa.
In addition, a Co-founder can provide emotional support and help you stay motivated during the ups and downs. Starting a business can be stressful and lonely, so having someone to share the burden with can be a huge advantage.
Finally, a Co-founder can bring additional resources, such as funding or connections, to the business. This can be particularly important if you are starting a capital-intensive business or if you need to access a particular network or market.
Bear in mind that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. As with all relationships, this one requires a different level of dedication due to the multilayer of factors involved across individuals’ circumstances and priorities. If you don’t work to maintain a good working relationship with your Co-founder, it can lead to regrettable situations. Most importantly, consider equity split. If you relinquish too much equity in your business with your Co-founder, it can limit your ability to make decisions and control the direction of your business.
Find your Co-founder today!
What is the best way to find a Co-founder?
Finding a Co-founder for your startup can be a challenging task. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of finding the right Co-founder:
- Make sure you have a clear vision and goals: Be clear about the business model, the market you’re targeting, and the skills and experience you need in a Co-founder. This will help you identify & attract the right partner.
- Network and attend events: Attend startup events, conferences, and meetups to connect with other entrepreneurs and professionals in your industry. You can also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with potential Co-founders.
- Accelerator or incubator programs: Joining an accelerator or incubator program can provide you with access to a network of mentors, investors, and other entrepreneurs. These programs often have a structured process for connecting founders with potential Co-founders.
- Consider platforms & founder matching sites: There are now several online platforms that match potential Co-founders based on their skills, interests, and values.
The 5 best platforms to find a Co-founder
1. Othership
Yup, we put ourselves first. Having started being asked by founders in the Othership community for years, we thought we better try our best to solve the issue. We started in fact with this article, and then quickly realised something better was needed. Now we provide three ways to find your perfect Co-founder. The first of these is through a dedicated team who match make you based on requirements. To get started all you need to do is fill out a quick form, and the team will be in touch.
The Slack community allows founders from all over the world to connect in a relaxed way, and the team are always there to help steer you to the community members suited to you. If online isn’t your thing they also have networking events you can join, or meet up in a physical workspace, many free to use.
Lastly, Othership Studio, provides a more mentorship lead approach. The studio team are experts in their own fields and are active members of the Othership community. While this costs a bit more, the team, can be your Co-founder at a distance or help you navigate the world of finding one.
2. CoFoundersLab
CoFoundersLab is an online community that connects entrepreneurs with potential Co-founders, advisors, and other resources needed to start and grow a successful business. The platform was founded in 2011 by Shahab Kaviani and is now owned by Onevest, a startup investing platform.
CoFoundersLab provides a database of potential Co-founders, an online forum for networking and discussing business ideas, and a variety of resources and tools to help entrepreneurs launch and run their startups. The platform also offers a matching algorithm that uses a proprietary algorithm to help entrepreneurs find Co-founders with complementary skills and compatible personalities.
3. Start Hawk
StartHawk is an online platform that helps entrepreneurs find Co-founders for their startups. The platform was founded in 2019 and is based in San Francisco, California.
StartHawk aims to simplify the Co-founder search process by using a matching algorithm that analyzes users’ backgrounds, skills, and interests to connect them with potential Co-founders. Users can create a profile on the platform, which includes information about their experience, skill set, and startup idea. The platform then matches users with other potential Co-founders based on complementary skills, shared interests, and other factors.
4. Founders Nation
Founders Nation is a simple search engine for finding a Co-founder. You can screen people who want to be Co-founders and filter by location, or skill set. For profile verification, you can use Facebook to log in and enable those who visit your profile to confirm that you are a real person.
5. YC Startup School
The YC Startup School Founder Matching Service is a program run by Y Combinator. YC Startup School is a free online program that provides resources and guidance to early-stage founders.
The Founder Matching Service is a feature of the YC Startup School program that helps connect founders with potential Co-founders. The service aims to make this process easier by providing a platform for founders to find and connect with other founders who share similar interests, skill sets, and goals.
Remember, finding the right Co-founder is critical to the success of your startup. Take the time to find someone who shares your vision, values, and work ethic. Once you’ve identified potential Co-founders, conduct thorough interviews and due diligence to ensure they have the skills, experience, and values you’re looking for. Be sure to check their references and past work experience.
Find your Co-founder today!
Still not sure what you should do?
If you still can’t decide where to start, speak to someone who has been there before, and apply for us to get to know you more. We have tonnes of amazing Founders and Entrepreneurs in Othership’s community, and would like to connect with you, you’re not alone.
Here’s to a memorable co-founder journey.
You must be logged in to post a comment.