Do You Really Need a Co-founder?
Most startup advice says: “don’t go solo.”
It’s practically gospel, especially if you want to raise money.
But I’ve met plenty of founders who started solo and stayed that way. Some thrived. Some flamed out. Some figured out how to build a support system around them without giving away half the company.
So now I’m wondering:
Have you ever gone solo?
What worked? What didn’t?
And if you had a co-founder, how’d that shape the outcome?
Personally, I started out alone. Eventually, I partnered up with someone who was better at the technical execution side for what we were trying to do. Now we run a service business together that helps founders get momentum without needing a whole team on day one. That changed everything.
Still, I think about how much of this journey was possible before I had a partner.
Curious what others think is solo a smart risk or a slow death?
I wouldn't have come this far without my cofounder...that's for sure.
Replies
My answer is: you do and you don’t.
The world today is full of information and resources. You can absolutely be a modern-day Renaissance man, like Dan Koe says. You can wear all the hats, pull things off on your own, become a solopreneur, and make it happen. It’s doable.
But there’s also something special about finding a partner. A CEO, a CTO, or even just making your first hires. It raises the stakes. It adds pressure. You become more accountable. But you also start learning from others, working toward shared goals, and building something together. There’s camaraderie, and the satisfaction of doing it with a team you enjoy is honestly hard to explain.
I think both paths are valid. It really depends on where you are in life and what you're looking for.
Hope that answered your question :)
@chaosandcoffee I agree. My cofounder and I might as well be married partners at this point hahahaha
I would say that it all depends on what you are building and your skills. For example, if you lack technical skills and you are building a tech product, I believe that a cofounder is essential as he/she would cover the gaps you have
I had a friend who tried to go solo. I think it's not about capabilities, you may be the best CEO/CTO mix, but at the end of the day. You only got 24 hours, that's why you need co-founders. To split work between each other, and gain support in heavy times.
Dereference
I'd argue that having a partner with complementary skills isn't just about sharing the workload, but also about accessing new expertise and networks. It's not about mitigating risk, but rather about amplifying potential.
@adi_singh5 That's true. I'm great at talking. My cofounder is not. We are both technical. He is more technical. I love networking. He doesn't. There's a yin and yang to it.
@cristian_stoian_urzica It's like marriage. Definitely, more fun with a partner.
YourGPT
Having a co-founder makes a big difference if they are truly passionate and aligned with your vision.
When you both share the same drive for innovation, it’s not just support it’s momentum.