Ask HN: Where to find a potential co-founder?

2 points by tmpk 17y ago ↗ HN

I know that this might seem like the wrong question to ask. You are supposed to know your co-founder very well by the time you start a company together. But most of the people whom I know from college are not willing to take the risk of starting a company on their own. It's hard to persuade a risk-averse person to become an entrepreneur, and even if I am able to persuade him, some months down the road when the going gets tough, he might be tempted to chicken out.

So what are some of the events and groups in the Bay Area that provide good opportunities for meeting potential co-founders? Thanks.

4 comments

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curiousgeorge 17y ago ↗

Perhaps you can be more specific about why you need a co-founder? Can you build the product yourself? If you cannot what value do you bring to any venture?

I'd suggest you put yourself in a position of strength by executing and other people will want to work with you. If you cannot clearly articulate why you are seeking/need a co-founder, you should not be looking for one.

tmpk 17y ago ↗

I am looking for a start-up for the all the reasons that PG and other experienced entrepreneurs give for having at least one co-founder.

I am building the prototype on my own, but I would like to have a co-founder to assist with version 1.0, and with the non-technical aspects of a startup.

GrandMasterBirt 17y ago ↗

Let me rephrase this question because I have the exact same problem:

Granted that I do not have enough time to start a start up myself, or seek out VCs for money, since I NEED my 9-5 job to feed myself and family (literally), I am naturally seeking for one or few people to start the company with so that we have enough time/brainpower between the X of us to actually make the startup work at least while we are actually paying in peanuts.

Now my unfortunate problem is that I don't have a friend I am willing to do this with. So is there a methodology people here use to find someone to start the startup with?

Now it's either that OR I am forced to wait until my wife graduates with her masters and gets a higher-paying job than me. In which case I guess I can quit work and focus on the startup. Is this the better alternative than looking for someone?

babyshake 17y ago ↗

I was lucky enough to meet a co-founder at school who is a good complement to my skills, and we have good "chemistry".

That being said, it's really a matter of pounding the pavement. Meet lots of people, the types of people you'll make sure to follow up on.

Since moving to the bay area, I've met plenty of really great people. I'd be happy to give you some advice or make introductions...are you already working on a project, or is this more hypothetical?

Ping me - jamslevy@gmail.com