You shouldn't be having to compromise on these issues - you should be working together to a consensus, where one of you persuades the other or you come up with a solution that you're both happy with. In ten years of running a business with a friend I can't remember a single time we've done something that one of us disagreed strongly about. Sure, we've disagreed strongly about stuff going into a conversation, but we've always managed to reach a conclusion we're both happy with.

If the two of you can't work through these issues then it sounds like you might be in trouble.

Hi Arman,

If the two of you are having issues this early on such fundamental items such as the ones you describe, it is not a good sign. My suggestion is that your friendship is far more valuable than your business and that you find a transition out of the business relationship together and work on salvaging your friendship.

Matt

If this person has been your friend for 30 years, ask yourself what is more important. the friendship or the business.

If it turns out to be the friendship, you should sit down together and question the decision to start a company together.

If it turns out to be the business, you have some fundamental disagreements to clear between you or continue alone/spilt the business/buyout your partner.

If it where me, I think I would consider the 30 years of friendship quite valuable.

Sit your friend and co-founder down and talk about the issues you have openly and honestly. Then, hash out who does what. If you can't come to an agreement on how to run the company, then think about getting another founder that can focus on the business side of things. Sometimes it take another, impartial, person to sort out the differences. If after that you guys can't get along, then you should not be working with each other.

Which investors to present to seems like an odd issue to be having. Is it the particular investors, or the level of investor (how much capital, what level of experience, seed vs. a larger sum)?

I think when you get to the bottom of this issue, the others may solve themselves. For example, if you want higher caliber investors, your UI better be intuitive, attractive and fast - or you better have a helluva track record in turning an ugly idea into a winner.

Similarly, you can get additional engineer help by coughing up a little equity. No sense giving someone a salary unless you're taking on large amounts of capital, or have cash on hand. Which brings us back to the investment issue.

One of you wants to grow organically and one of you thinks the "win" is in getting a lot of venture money. You guys need to get on the same page with that and then I think the rest will work out. In any case, you should NEVER have to sacrifice in your vision of what the end product should be. Maybe a feature here or there, but you have the right to deliver on your vision.