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I'm taking my first few steps in attracting a co-founder. With all the questions, comments and advice I've read concerning attracting a co-founder comes down to integrity...thee most important "factor" over idea, knowledgeable and technical experience.

This is what I require Senior IT (or equivalent) person with the ability to construct and develop a digital web network. With the understanding that coding is very time consuming, demanding and is a large part of this concept - overseeing sub-contracting duties and milestones would assist with said responsibilities.

At present I have diagram process, demo and older coding written by app developer (09).

The concept ideally lends it self as a social network, operating with in the tourism/ small business consumer market. The revenue streams are solid, measurable and in demand.

The concept has great potential if it reaches market, my first co-founder "only require two" is going to be an IT individual that after meeting me and viewing demo believe they have what it take to pull this off.

Based on risk, market potential and most important our chemistry, I would allow them to tell me what percentage of this concept they would be okay and happy with.

In my view, there are a lot of knowledgeable people out in the world and they should be wealthy. Is this the right direction for me to head in?

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I am not sure what your question is. what are you asking? – TimJ♦ Aug 12 '11 at 20:57
This is basically "review my business" type of question, that is off-topic. – Ross Sep 3 '11 at 13:28
This isn't a real question. It's an ad to recruit developers from this site. – Zuly Gonzalez♦ Jan 13 '12 at 15:23

closed as not a real question by Zuly Gonzalez♦ May 17 '12 at 17:13

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote

As a programmer, being honest, I wouldn't lift my pinky finger for 100% equity in a social network. That is absolutely ludicrous, and you won't get any halfway respectable developer to work under those conditions.

Half of it is because there's no money. The other half is because it's equity but in a super crowded, B2C space where it's difficult to make a profit -- the farthest possible thing from a "sure thing."

If you had a B2B business with a creative product that fills a serious need (say, saves business X money) and already had contacts you're negotiating subscription fees with, i.e. a very probably thing, perhaps I would consider working for equity while the company gets off the ground. But a social network concept?? I find the suggestion insulting to my profession. I didn't study my ass off for years to build your web site for free because you think it's a good idea, sorry.

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+1. Point is that as IT guy you can get a good amount of money without the risk working as contractor. Why waste a year and the funds associated for it without a valid return concept? No moneyo n the table - no deal at all. Your arguments stand very strongly. I could work 24/7 if I would work for people with ideas for free. – NetTecture Sep 2 '11 at 2:26
up vote 3 down vote

If you are looking for someone to develop this for 100% equity then I imagine you'll need to give them half of the company. If it was me as the IT co-founder I would also require there to be someone with CASH involved for marketing once it's completed. So if you don't have cash, don't have the ability to create it and are just coming to the table with the IDEA and possibly some industry experience in the market the network is targeted towards then.. (I) wouldn't say you are coming in with much ;)

So, I would suggest 3 partners in that case, you need money. No matter how sweet your idea is

  • Maybe I answered your question, not sure exactly where it was in your post :]
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Hi Ryan, you hit the nail on the head. Three co-founders is the direction I'm looking to head in. Great idea + proficient team = $. – Donald Bailey Aug 19 '11 at 5:27
Simple, I know its not going to be that simple but being a designer its my responsibility display where the audience is that would satisfy VC's quench for profit. If your a confident IT developer and believe you can run with the big boys/girls then lets take a walk and talk. I'm more interested in a developers "Wish List" if I know that then a win win is more like to come about - wouldn't you say so? – Donald Bailey Aug 19 '11 at 5:57
Hey Donald, since I run the www.webascender.com team full time, evenings and nights ;). Plus, I'm working on a couple product ideas right now for Web Ascender to promote/sell. We are typically 100% consulting, but getting into products now. So, I wouldn't be a good fit. – Ryan Doom Aug 19 '11 at 12:18
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Donald, I think you missed the part about your bringing cash. What do you bring to the table, really? A few mockups is worth about 0.00001% of my startup. Cash, early adopters, press? Ok, then I'm listening. – Alain Raynaud Sep 1 '11 at 23:06
up vote 0 down vote

Jason, sorry that you feel like I'm insulting your profession. That was not my intent and I do appreciate your feedback. If anyone invest their time in my project... it now becomes our project because they have taken the time out to get more information (view demo, and ask questions) that satisfy their entrepreneurial senses. As start ups I'm not appealing to the majority of hackers out there O'no "their good snogged away in a tech department coding and making a good living". My appeal is for a trail blazer ready to tread down that unfamiliar path (unique) of co-founder to fame and fortune. Here is a executive summery of my concept you'll see I'm in a relevant B2C and B2B market that is strong and growing in demand.

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Please, post comments as comments, not answers. – Ross Sep 3 '11 at 13:26

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