How many co-founders are on your team?

Question

I recently joined the Y Combinator's co-founder matching platform. Do you prefer working with a co-founder, if yes, how many of them? Please do share the equity stake among the members in the founding team (if you're comfortable).

Anastasia Liamets · Accepted Answer

I actually found my amazing co-founder through YC matching, and happy to share!

We’re 3 co-founders:

CEO + marketer - me 
CTO - tech co-founder from YC
COO + designer - my friend

Works amazing for us, but took me some time to find a perfect partners who share my values.

Answer

Comment Deleted

NJ Robb · Answer

I will always advocate a cofounder. Nothing against solo, just they dynamic is great. You have your squabbles and storming and norming but this is normal. Three different perspectives which is better than an echo chamber, you just have to understand how each communicates.

Also, when one of us has been off sick, the product still gets developed. I would think this would not be the case if any of us were solo - a tougher journey to take.

But it depends on your product. If you genuinely have the capabilities to do it yourself, then that is your answer. You don't need a co founder just to have a cofounder. It should be considered that a cofounder will be there for the long haul and you will hopefully find a solid friend.

If you are looking for VC, they tend to favour more than one cofounder.

Three, including myself! Equal equity. This is because at some point in time one of us will have a heavy burden in the product development.

ie - Inception is designer/architect (UI/UX)
   - Building - Developer
   - Launch (brand awareness etc) - Marketer

Each phase we all contribute as much as we can with some more than others.

This will be different if your whole team are devs but at some point someone will have to shoulder some aspect of each role.

Equal (in my opinion) is the wisest and kindest way to do things and shows trust that everyone will/should be dedicated equally - that way everyone has the same skin in the game and will not grumble.

You can also do vested with a cliff to add more incentive to stay motivated.

Good luck in finding your cofounder, :) hope it is going well?

Gaurav · Answer

@njrobb thanks for this response. although i have developed the product all by myself, a cofounder skilled in marketing is a must for scaling the product. Just joined the matching platform and I'm getting average matches.

Gaurav · Answer

@fermin_blocher, if you don't mind, may I ask what each of them does? (Technical/marketing/sales?)

Gaurav · Answer

@anliamets I'm look for a non-technical co founder too on the yc matcher. I am hoping to find a good match.

NJ Robb · Answer

@zignis Oh wow, well done. How have you found the journey? Average as in everyone is the same/not zinged or not the right fit?

Gaurav · Answer

@njrobb I'm still trying to find the right match. everyone that I have been through does not have the experience to scale products. I believe I need to spend a few more weeks there to get the perfect match.

How many co-founders are on your team?

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