What to do when your co-founder takes a backseat?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23444

by JohnN • 19 years ago

6 16 19 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

JohnN4• 19 years ago

my co-founder has decided to take more of a back seat in return for less equity but also less initial investment. we have been working on the project for a few months. i think he realised he is not THAT into internet businesses/ideas/projects. What do you reckon I should do? get another co-founder?

staunch• 19 years ago

Should you replace the loss of the single most vital resource you have as a startup? I think so. Unless you've got the energy and motivation to make up for it yourself.

JohnN4• 19 years ago

i have the confidence and motivation to go it alone, however, i think startups work better with twos. most of the initial work is done. but post launch a one man band may be a little too much!

akkartik• 19 years ago

Take the time to discuss in detail the reasons for his loss of interest. There may be some good ideas there. I'm not suggesting trying to convince him to stay, but it's never too late to change focus in subtle ways.

gyro_robo2• 19 years ago

Can I borrow your co-founder? I need another body to apply to YC. I don't need anyone else to do the work, just someone whose presence will tick YC's boxes.

brianmckenzie• 19 years ago

YC will probably see through that, unless your faux-founder has a CS degree from one of the top departments, or some equally amazing credential. You might just apply and stipulate that you're looking for a co-founder, rather than go with an impostor.

JohnN4• 19 years ago

hey i will join ya! lol

danielha2• 19 years ago

Having a cofounder isn't some unreasonable requirement. It's entirely for your benefit.

petervandijck• 19 years ago

Yes, dump her and get another cofounder. If they just want to invest something, they're an early investor.

bootload2• 19 years ago

'... take more of a back seat in return for less equity but also less initial investment ...'

Bummer, but all is not lost. This is actually a good thing to happen now, rather than later. How much investment? A lot? Can you do without it? Can you repay them back? Is it worth keeping someone on who doesn't really want to contribute but still wants some control?

'... we have been working on the project for a few months ...'

This is good. The longer you work on the project the more investment is required (time, money and effort). It's also good to weed out early someone who is not willing to go the full journey. So in this respect you are lucky. You haven't created a lot of value that has to be split up or given a dollar value.

'... What to do when your co-founder takes a backseat? ...'

Use the ejector button?

'... What do you reckon I should do? get another co-founder? ...'

Find another co-founder. Work out if you need your ex-founders investment, skills at a later date. If not re-pay the investment. Try to determine why the co-founder has left? Is it because of lack of interest, skill, commitment? Is it they found a better offer?

JohnN4• 19 years ago

I admit it s good thing to happen now, I am not bitter in any way. i am almost glad.

1) The investment is not a lot in monetary value but I couldn't get started without it, in that respect it is "worth it" I could probably pay the person back if the company made even a little money. The person is still involved in the sense that I could ask for help and ideas etc but i would not expect proactive participation.

2) You are right, almost no value has been created as of yet, so if we were to shut up shop tomorrow, he would have lost out.

3) I think the ejector button would be too strong, the advice etc this person has given and i am sure will give will be invaluable. however, i would not expect a LOT of work in terms of execution. But then execution is what matters. If the company did well I believe this person would join. But i would not expect him to leave his job in uncertainty.

4) He left because he is just not THAT interested in Web Apps. No interest = no determination and no determination = no startup in all honesty. Maybe I should have seen this coming. I was visibly more enthusiastic than him.

I think I will push forward until launch (mid-summer) on my own but will look out for another co-founder. If anything this situation has made me more determined to succeed. I am reminded of Evan Williams at Blogger!

dshah• 19 years ago

You need to separate the analysis:

1. What he/she gets as part of investing capital in the company (and whether that's going to be equity or debt)

2. What he/she gets as part of having an operating role in the company.

The good news is that this happened now (vs. later). The bad news is it sucks to lose a co-founder.

bootload2• 19 years ago

'... If the company did well I believe this person would join. But i would not expect him to leave his job in uncertainty. ...'

If this is the case I'd repay money and take the person on as an early employee but not a co-founder. This is okay. You know the person. But the fact is they did not think the idea, concept or work compelling enough to quit. Also don't be fooled into thinking early investment is some sort of ownership.

'... I think the ejector button would be too strong ...'

That was meant to be a joke

What to do when your co-founder takes a backseat?

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