Manalac says a solo founder can build a successful company, but it can be difficult. Twelve percent of companies funded in the latest batch were solo-founded, while only three of the top 50 YC companies by valuation had a solo founder. A cofounder can share both the work and the emotional burden.
How to Find a Cofounder
Speaker
Kat Manalac, a partner at Y Combinator, explains how founders can find a cofounder, what YC looks for in founding teams, and how to think about equity.
Among YC companies valued above $100 million, about half of the teams met at school, 20% at work, and 16% through mutual friends. Among funded teams with women founders, about 33% met at school, 20% at work, and just under 10% at events. School and work offer a chance to observe someone’s work and communication over time.
Manalac says YC likes teams with a balance of product-building and selling skills, and the ability to explain their work clearly. She also recommends working together before applying, since a shared project can provide evidence that the founders communicate well and are likely to stick together.
Even if one founder joins after the idea is formed, Manalac says YC still likes to see an equal split. She notes that a company may take eight to ten years to reach an IPO or exit, so founders need to feel equally invested for the long haul. Reluctance to offer or accept equal equity may be a reason to reconsider the partnership.
Takeaways
- A cofounder can share both execution work and the emotional strain of starting a company.
- Look for potential cofounders in settings where you can see how they work, such as school or work.
- Build something together before committing to a founding partnership.
- Form teams that can build, sell, and explain the product clearly.
- Consider equal equity and whether everyone is ready to commit for the long term.
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What was claimed 8
- role atKat Manalac is partner at
Y Combinator“I’m a partner at Y Combinator.”
YouTube Verified2 sources· Talk
- metricY Combinator: Only 3 of the top 50 companies by valuation were started by solo founders
“only three of them were started by solo founders”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: 12% of companies funded in the last batch were started by a solo founder
“Twelve percent of the companies we funded in the last batch were started by a solo founder”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: Among female founders funded by YC, about 33% of teams met at school, about 20% at work, and just under 10% at events
“about 33% of those teams met at school, about 20% met at work, and just under 10% met at events”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: Among YC companies valued over $100 million, about 16% of co-founding teams were introduced by mutual friends
“about 16% were introduced by mutual friends”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: Among YC companies valued over $100 million, about 20% of co-founding teams met at work
“about 20% of the teams met at work”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: Among YC companies valued over $100 million, about 50% of co-founding teams met in school
“about half of those teams met in school”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- metricY Combinator: 94% of the top YC companies have co-founders
“94% of the top YC companies have co-founders”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
