For Cofounders

Would you ever consider sky-diving without any prior training or instructions? Probably not. The same should be true for business partnerships! They are great and can be very powerful and successful, if you know how to do them right. But they are not easy to get right. Maximise your success chances by building the right team.

 

  1. New cofounding teams

As a future cofounder you have many decisions to make:

When forming a new cofounding team, you should be asking these questions:

  • Do I have the right cofounders?

  • How will we work together as a team?

  • How shall we split the roles and responsibilities?

  • What do we need to know about each other?

  • Do we agree on the company’s purpose?

  • How shall we split the equity?

  • Which other options do I need to implement? Vesting? Cliffs? Milestones?

When joining an existing team, you should be asking these questions:

  1. Do I agree with the team’s values? How will I fit in?

  2. Do I understand my role and responsibilities?

  3. What is a fair equity share to negotiate?

  4. What else do I need to be aware of?

 

2. Existing cofounding teams

Typical issues to deal with:

  • Do you have the right team structure, a fitting roles and responsibilities?

  • Is your equity allocated fairly?

  • Are you covered for leaving or underperforming cofounder?

  • Is the team performing well?

  • New cofounder joining

  • Cofounder leaving

  • Is your cofounding agreement complete?

  • Help, we have a dispute - cofounder mediation