So, you’re about to push full throttle down the runway, but do you go solo, or is it better to have someone in the co-pilot seat? This is a marathon, not a sprint, so having the right person alongside you could make all the difference.
I’ve built businesses both ways—alone and with a co-founder—and for me, the short answer is: if you can find the right co-pilot, do it. Not just for the sake of having one, but because the right person can transform the business and make the journey far more enjoyable.
Let’s break it down.
The Pros of Having a Co-Founder
1. Someone to Share the Journey With
The biggest advantage? Having someone to bounce ideas off, challenge your thinking, and brainstorm solutions with. Sure, friends and mentors can help, but they’re not in the plane with you every day. A co-founder is.
My business partner and I spent countless hours strategising, problem-solving, and figuring things out together. That constant back-and-forth made our business better and helped us avoid a lot of mistakes.
2. Energy and Drive
No matter how motivated you are, you will have low-energy days. That’s where a co-founder makes a huge difference. When one of you is struggling, the other can step up and keep things moving.
Also, vacations—yes, you’ll need them. Having someone who can take the yoke while you disconnect for a bit is invaluable. It’s a marathon, remember? Burnout is real.
3. Dividing Responsibilities
In the early days, everything falls on you. A co-founder helps split that load. My partner and I had complementary skills—he handled strategy, legal, and marketing while I focused on tech, operations, and finance. That division of labour let us cover more ground without hiring a team too early.
The Cons of Having a Co-Founder
1. Shared Decision-Making
When you’re solo, you decide—no discussions, no waiting. With a co-founder, major decisions require alignment. It’s a process, and while it can lead to better outcomes, it can slow things down.
2. Differences in Vision
What if one of you wants a lifestyle business while the other is gunning for a huge exit? That misalignment can lead to tension, so it’s critical to align on long-term goals before you start.
3. Unequal Effort
One founder working harder than the other? That’s a fast track to resentment. If one person is putting in more time, energy, and sacrifice, it can cause major friction.
Things to Agree on Before Taking Off
If you’re bringing on a co-founder, talk through these things upfront. Trust me, it’ll save you from headaches down the line.
1. Spending Habits
Just like in a marriage, money matters. If one of you is frugal while the other loves to spend, conflicts will arise. Agree on how money should be spent, what’s necessary, and what can wait. Keeping costs low in the early days extends your runway.
2. Equity Split
50/50 sounds fair, right? But what if you hit a deadlock? Some startups do 51/49 so one person has a deciding vote. Others tie voting power to roles. My co-founder and I went 50/50 but agreed that as CEO, he had the casting vote. In six years, he never had to use it, but having that clarity upfront helped. Sometimes the split will be decided by what investment each founder is making.
3. Financial Position
This one’s huge. If one founder has a financial cushion and the other doesn’t, decision-making gets tricky. The founder who can afford to take risks will feel differently than the one who needs a steady income. It’s why I always recommend having a financial safety net before jumping into a startup.
4. Health and Insurance
What happens if a founder gets seriously ill? It’s something most people don’t think about until it’s too late. As soon as you can afford it, get key person insurance—it protects the business if one of you can’t work.
Also, consider what happens if a founder dies. Without a plan, their shares could go to a spouse or family member who knows nothing about the business (or worse, actively interferes). Make sure you have a buyout agreement in place so the business can purchase those shares instead.
5. Stage of Life
A 25-year-old founder and a 50-year-old founder will have different goals, responsibilities, and energy levels. That’s not a dealbreaker, but you need to talk about how it will affect the business. If one of you is looking for a long-term build and the other wants a fast exit, that’s something to resolve early.
My Final Verdict? Team Up if You Can
Considering all the above, I’d still choose to build with a co-founder rather than go solo. The journey is tough, and having the right person alongside you makes it some much more enjoyable.
But whether you’re flying solo or with a co-pilot, it’s time to throttle up and start building your first product.
See you in the next post—Beware the Dogma.
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