eli aleyner & mani fazeli - what does it take to find a co founder

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A CO-FOUNDER?

ELI ALEYNER - @EALEYNERMANI FAZELI - @MCFAZELI

ABOUT US

MANAGE PRODUCT @ XTREME LABS

PRIOR LIFE: AMAZON.COM, MICROSOFT

CO-FOUNDER@ BETTEREZ

HELPED START: CONTEXTLOGIC, MANAWA NETWORKS

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

IncorporationWhen to quit your jobShould I outsource my development?

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalexanderson/5421517469

WHY LOOK FOR A COFOUNDER?

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwardez/3834852526/sizes/l/in/photostream/

It’s a long road to walk alone

GET STARTED EARLY

You need speed, support and executionhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/aartj/527502812/

BE PREPARED

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krypto/14765221/

Show your skill, know your needs

WHERE DO I LOOK?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/haagsuitburo/2627515964/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Co-workers, classmates, hackathons, FounderDating

STRUCTURE OF A RELATIONSHIP

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jay_que/450365066/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Equals, not subordinates

DEMONSTRATE YOUR VISION

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cgoulao/2206212075/

Have a tangible “plan”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulnomad/7599430328/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Pragmatic coders & savvy sellers

EQUITY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierrotsomepeople/3060137552/

Split, vest, formalize, move on…

COMMON MISTAKESMirror image of yourself

Not working together before committing

Glossing over goals, lifestyle, cash needs

Not picking the outward facing person

http://www.flickr.com/photos/savethejellyrabbit/5154067039/

THANK YOU!QUESTIONS?

ELI ALEYNER – @EALEYNER MANI FAZELI – @MCFAZELI

REFERENCES(1) FUNDERSANDFOUNDERS.COM/STARTUP-DIRTY-LAUNDRY-CONFLICTS-THAT-KILL-PARTNERSHIPS/(2) FOUNDERDATING.COM/QUESTIONS-TO-ASK-POTENTIAL-COFOUNDERS/