Keys To Successful Co-Founder Relationships | Startup School

Catheryn Li built the YC co-founder matching platform. This discussion with YC Visiting Partner Divya Bhat covers the importance of having a co-founder, how to get and vet one, and how to build a successful working relationship with your co-founder.
Apply to Y Combinator: yc.link/SUS-apply
Work at a startup: yc.link/SUS-jobs
Chapters (Powered by bit.ly/chapterme-yc) -
00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Meaning of a co-founder
03:39 - Finding a co-founder
04:39 - Co-founder matching platform
08:17 - Tips on getting the most of the platform
10:04 - Evaluate potential co-founder
12:35 - Technical co-founder vs. Dev shops
13:40 - Trial projects
14:40 - Spliting equity
16:29 - How to work together
18:59 - Topics to discuss before committing
20:07 - Building trust
24:01 - How to setup for quick decision making
26:20 - Personality and communication styles
29:04 - Useful habits for a productive relationship

[@ycombinator]

What qualities are you looking for in a co-founder? (Pro tip: you can probably find it at www.ycombinator.com/cofounder-matching )

[@manasseheidl2877]

Can you help me with the "cofounder speed dating" format? I know the classic cofounder matching, I’m a big fan. It's a great tool! But I can't find anything about the speed dating mentioned in the video.

[@TakeMeAwaaay]

I've personally met dozens of very talented and extremely impressive people on the YC co-founder matching platform. Thank you for building it and continually improving it!

[@notlowtemp]

Interesting! I gotta check it out

[@japhethachimba174]

I never knew that I really a co-founder

[@artimmersive2112]

​@@RawForager😭 @ "these people would have been horrific co-founders...since they can't even follow up on their own message requests."

[@HunterFox2x]

I have built two tech startups as solo founder and now starting third one in Health tech. From personal experience so I clearly see the benefits of having co-founder. Although, it is difficult to find one.

[@claudiazhao6378]

Thank you for building the co-founder matching platform, and continuing to share resources and insights! I found it by far the best place to find talented people interested in starting companies!

[@chapterme]

Chapters (Powered by ChapterMe) - 00:00 - Introduction 00:41 - Meaning of co-founder 03:39 - How to find a co-founder 04:39 - Co-founder matching platform 07:05 - Co-founder matches timeline 08:17 - Tips on getting the most of the platform 10:04 - Evaluating potential co-founder 10:39 - Conversations to have early on in a startup relationship 12:35 - Technical co-founder vs. Dev shops 13:40 - Trial projects 14:40 - How to split equity with your co-founders 15:31 - Bad reasons for splitting equity unequally 16:29 - How to work with your co-founders 18:59 - Topics to discuss with your co-founders before committing 20:07 - Building trust in your co-founder relationship 24:01 - How to setup to keep decision making fast 26:20 - Personality and communication styles 29:04 - Useful habits for a productive relationship

[@SterlingCobb]

I really like your "normalize failure" comments. I like to think about this like discovering edges instead of failure. What works, what doesn't kind of thing. Successes are built on top of processes that weed out these edges through discovery; unless you get really freakin lucky on your first shot but I've never won the lotto and couldn't do it consistently (not yet at least).

[@keepyourequityco]

Thank you for these insights. Having a strong co-founder relationships is critical for start-up success!

[@TheAIEpiphany]

Amazing video, thanks a lot for making it! :)) Love your energy as well!

[@markg5986]

Another idea to consider when receiving feedback or criticism is to carefully put what the other(s) said into your own words and recite it back to them, so they know (1) they've been heard; and (2) that you do in fact clearly understand what they were trying to say. Thanks!

[@luissuarez5845]

Great class every entrepreneur should watch. Greetings to all of you who made until here👏🏽

[@JaimeGuajardo]

Catheryn"s voice is so soothing

[@samuelkamotho4958]

that's the best advice I have grabbed over this month, i will walk with it. again its all about relationships and starting hard conversations that will be fruitful. no personal attacks

[@martinstine]

Great course YC. Learned a lot. Thank you Catheryn and Divya.

[@ErnestBondarenko]

Absolutely great video, thank you!

[@shoaibux]

When working in a team, never say "See... I told you... ! You are a team! Stop blaming each other when something goes wrong! It's important to learn from mistakes together. Really can't thank enough to YC

[@ssiiddhhuu04]

Very impressive content. Thank you for sharing the insights.

[@pulkitjain1376]

WOW, I started company long time back, but in mid jan 2023 we decided to wind up.. i wish i should have watched or subscribed this channel , before may be i should have learned more about business and all..

[@mus3equal]

Great stuff as always, thank you for the info!

[@co66]

It is a really brilliant video. Full of useful hints. Actually, I have noticed it two months ago, however, always postponed and procrastinated to watch it. Feel pity about it a bit ))) however, I believe all things to happen in the right moment. So I’m happy, that I finally did it. Many things.))

[@BensTechLab]

This was fantastic! ❤

[@mahendrashingare8628]

It’s really impressive session, thanks for sharing

[@JaimeGuajardo]

Excellent video and great content.

[@thinhlpg]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@facesofthefrontier4574]

this is wonderful!

[@lnyxiux9654]

Excellent, thank you

[@samuelkamotho4958]

all the hard things can be learnt you just need to take the leap of faith

[@katlianik]

An interesting issue I encountered. Finding a CF makes sense, but not at a very early stage, provided you're a tech founder. In that case you can build and iterate for a while at an extreme speed, rather than spending the same time trying to match with someone (which is not as easy as it may sound and chances are you'll split after a trial period). But when you have some early market validitaion, then you should definitely try and find a partner. Organically if you can. Though each case is individual. If you know from the beginning that you need a skill that you don't have - it's the best hint you need a CF asap.

[@Amanisha3211]

Men they provide a huge vale in this video.

[@greenhouse_fin]

Thanks man!

[@StreamAgency]

This is lit!

[@howme.school]

Great!!!!!!!!! ✨✨✨✨

[@george_davituri]

great spot YC ☺

[@nomnomnooma]

I’d watch these two on their own channel

[@john_smith281]

Should a co founder also be aware of the product that the start up build? E.g. if you are building software for developer (like sdk or libaries) should your co founder, even as non tech person, should know how to use the sdk or libary? Thanks for your awsome video :)

[@devstuff2576]

Heck no!

[@reyz1713]

Thanks! Regarding equity split: What do you recommend if the non-techi invests a lot of money into it, let's say hypothetical 70k & works 40h+/week while the techi works 30h/week while continuing his work at his current job - but scaling back, as he requires the salary. One is in a very lucky position to have this money and the time, the other less so. What would be fair? What would enable the best outcome for the company & for the founders?

[@saloni379]

Thankyou, can you guys arrange a platform that help in networking with other companies?

[@ohidotg]

14:40 So, you are asking me to split my startup equally with a new co-founder which I built and has traction already. As a technical founder, I find this absolute nonsense, non-relatable, and self detrimental. If I don't share equal equity, it doesn't have to mean that I don't value my co-founders. I wouldn't even do that If my startup were in the MVP stage. Someone has to work harder and smarter than me to get equal equity, which in reality rarely happens.

[@omthesmwgroup]

Once you have launched an MVP in the market and raised the money, you don't need a co-founder.

[@manasseheidl2877]

Can you help me with the "cofounder speed dating" format? I know the classic cofounder matching, I can highly recommend it. It's a great tool! But I can't find anything about the speed dating mentioned in the video.

[@sultan.alimov]

🔥

[@Tokieejke]

Hi, technical cofounder here :D I`m looking for man of sales to make a great things

[@loumulet]

Hi Serhii, how can we get in contact?

[@YuriyBraterskyy]

Where do you live Serhii? Any previous projects to brag about? 😎

[@John27477]

You want to identify your target audience, determine their needs and close on them with your solution is what you're saying right?

[@keerthivasanb7931]

9:28 - 9:48 👌🏼👌🏼

[@chrismagistrado6014]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:01 🚀 Understanding Co-Founders 03:46 🤝 Finding a Co-Founder 08:33 💡 Evaluating Co-Founders 15:05 💰 Splitting Equity with Co-Founders 16:41 🗣️ Communication in Co-Founder Relationships 18:30 💡 Preparing for Co-founder Challenges 20:08 💡 Building Trust in Co-founder Relationships 24:00 💡 Defining Roles and Responsibilities 26:37 💡 Understanding Personality and Communication Styles 29:09 💡 Habits and Structures for a Productive Co-founder Relationship

[@WGchamara]

❤❤❤

[@azneter]

What if I'm the cofounder willing to take a smaller equity so my mate can get more of the benefits long term? I just want to make my thing, I don't actually even care about personal profit or survival most days. I truly believe in the longterm prospects of what I'm building and I think even taking a smaller share I might still be set up for life if the stars are willing to align in my favor to get it started. Sam Altman testified before congress that he gets 0% equity from OpenAI 🤔

[@jannickbremm9483]

4:00 I think people you meet at work for example, more often than not have a similar skill- /mindset making the cooperation pretty useless.

[@Hyperion.1]

Out of curiosity...what do Cat and Divya keep 'touching' on the table after they've each made a comment? Is it like a chess clock or something? 😊

[@darrinakpambang3810]

“YC funds solo founders? I don’t think the form expresses that

[@YasinNabi]

Making money is an art, you can only make money if you practice and master the art..... by the way I enjoyed watching your videos. a fellow creator----==--

[@aar0n709]

Can't believe they put Anjie's business out there like that. EMBARRASSING.

[@thatryanp]

Nothing embarrassing about solving real problems

[@aar0n709]

@@thatryanp Yeah putting a young woman’s personal medical information out is definitely crossing the line. No bueno buddy

[@thatryanp]

If it's not part of the public story she is telling about her company, then yes.

[@aar0n709]

Anjie, if you’re out there can we plz get your input.

[@saralapeach1797]

All these instructions makes me not want a co-founder. Oh…the energy drain 😅 just kidding 😊

[@japhethachimba174]

😅😅😅 not really Sara you just need someone who believes in your solution and wants to solve the problem.

[@Ummfadhlullah]

Hi y'all il looking for a good developer & engineer preferably a woman who can help build apps and softwares and get equity and profit sharing once we start monetizing.

[@greenhouse_fin]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@snnsnn]

The way you shot these videos are really awkward and hard to watch because half the time people look confused and anxious because they are not sure if they need to talk to the camera or the next person. Please find another format.

[@James_David]

Type A af

[@willdtrl]

But is it “Ralph” tho…. Never heard of these trash companies. Compete against me in a company I’ll wipe the floor with ya

[@derricktapia2098]

Def not a fascist haven, steering everyone into company cultures dominated by Asia.

[@Shroomade]

What does that mean?