How to Find the Right Co-founder

Haguer says co-founders can increase the amount and quality of work through complementary skills and shared problem solving. They also provide peer support through startup stress, and many successful companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, began with co-founders.

Haguer recommends waiting for a co-founder by default, but says a solo founder can start if they have strong conviction in the idea and can make early progress independently. Drew Houston built a Dropbox prototype while looking for a co-founder, then reapplied to Y Combinator with Arash.

Haguer puts stress response, mutual support, and aligned motivations ahead of a perfect skills match. He suggests starting with friends and colleagues, trying projects together, asking trusted contacts for introductions, and meeting people through relevant events and communities.

Haguer recommends working together for a set period, aiming to build a prototype or pitch customers, then honestly discussing whether to continue. He says 50/50 equity is a good default for early co-founders, and the CEO should be the clear leader for investors; competing for the title is a warning sign.

After deciding to build together, Haguer advises incorporating and setting up vesting so shares are earned over time. He says the trigger is the mutual commitment to make a real attempt at building the company.