The wrong co-founder will kill your startup faster than running out of money.
The right one? They’ll make you unstoppable.
YC has seen this play out over and over again.
Almost none of the top YC startups were started by solo founders.
Not because solo founders aren’t smart or driven.
But because startups are brutal.
A bad co-founder will:
❌ Drain your energy
❌ Slow down execution
❌ Create internal chaos
A great co-founder will:
✅ Push you to level up
✅ Cover your blind spots
✅ Keep the startup moving when things get tough
So, how do you pick the right one?
YC looks for 3 things:
1️⃣ Intelligence & effectiveness – Can they execute without handholding?
2️⃣ Mission alignment – Are they here for the long game, not just the money?
3️⃣ Complementary skills – Visionary + Executor = 🔥
And before you commit? TEST. IT. OUT.
👉 Work together for a few months—under real pressure, real deadlines.
👉 Talk about the hard stuff: equity, conflicts, long-term vision.
👉 If they wouldn’t succeed without you, they’re NOT co-founder material.
Startups don’t fail because of bad ideas.
They fail because of bad relationships.
Choose wisely.
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👋 Don't know me? I'm J.Y! I've been building things and making money online since 2017, and I share my entrepreneurial journey here on LinkedIn.