Startup co-founders can be selected by considering several key factors, spanning mutual respect, complementing each other, matching goals, and internalization of vision and mission.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — A startup business begins with an idea that is developed until it is validated and translated into a prototype. When startup founders feel confident enough with their ideas, they will start building a vision and mission as the foundation for running the business.
There are many kinds of stuff that founders have to carry out during the early stage, spanning designing products, taking care of business legality, and managing finances.
Duties and responsibilities as a founder cannot be carried out alone, requiring co-founders to work together to build the business. Founders can consider key factors in selecting co-founders, according to a discussion of the National Movement of 1000 Startup Digital and Block71.
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Building mutual respect
Choosing a co-founder doesn’t have to be someone the founder knows closely, but the most important thing is mutual respect. Founders must be able to hear suggestions from co-founders and be willing to accept their criticism and vice versa.
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Complementing each other
Besides background and abilities, choosing a co-founder should consider chemistry. Founders and co-founders must complement each other in terms of ability, cooperation, and many other things. For example, if a founder is an expert in the field of business, he can find a co-founder who is smart in technology.
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Matching goals
Founders and co-founders must have the same end goal. Without alignment with the co-founders, a good business vision and mission will be worthless since all founders have egos. A common goal can provide a clear bridge when founders and co-founders have disagreements.
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Internalizing vision and mission
The vision and mission built by the founder must be able to be translated into the most basic structure of the organization, such as lower-level employees, middle-level employees, and the founders themselves. In addition, the vision and mission must be implemented in the company culture, process, mindset, and company values.
