Recently I been talking lots of potential cofounders to build a marketplace platform, and some of them click well as we are about 80%-similar on our view and direction.

But they can't seem to code; even though I can code, I still want to prefer tech-cofounder*. Should I still bring them on and consider a 50-50 stock split, vested over 4-8 years?

Here are some of my thoughts:

Why take them?

• Because I do feel a cofounder can help.
• those VC really seem to prefer team with multiple cofounders.

Why not take them?

• 1/ there is really a ton of non-tech person want to do startup so I can be more selective & shopping around; the persons aren't really that 'superstar' talents.
• 2/ we just knew each other for ... idk, 3 hours of conversation over 3 weeks? I've heard that startup is a long-term journey and will take about 6 months to get to know someone.
• 3/ I really don't know the point (forgive me) to have a non-CEO non-tech cofounder. In my dated thinking, either they be the CEO and I be the CTO (which I dislike), or I shall just find a CTO.

Some potential plans forward:

• 1/ bring them as cofounder now at 50-50 stock split or some %.
• 2/ not bring them as cofounder for now, while I go do it as a solo founder for a while, then check-in again in 6 months or so.
• 3/ bring them as general advisors, not full-time team member (idk how that works though).
• 4/ hire them as my first few salaried hires after having funding.
• 5/ let them do their own startup and let us compete.

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why tech cofounder when I can code?

• 1/ I am focusing on more of the CEO role
• 2/ I suck at & not liking my coding day job
• 3/ Two tech persons can do product faster (maybe)?
• 4/ I just don't see the point of bringing another CEO/COO/Market person to the team that early (pre-product)

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Thanks for reading & helping!