Ask HN: How to find a non-technical cofounder?

by lux on 6/30/2011, 4:30 PM with 4 comments

With all the posts on here about finding technical cofounders, I thought I'd flip the question since I'm currently looking for the reverse (and I've searched but only found pieces of an answer but not directly this question).

I'm the coder/designer, and while I do have business and sales experience, it's too much for one person (single founder syndrome). Whenever I spend time coding, the other half suffers, and vice versa.

So far, I've been looking at friends who might fit, but I'm not in a startup hub and most of my friends don't really share the entrepreneurial/risk-taking spirit. I've been networking as well, but haven't found the right person yet.

A description of what I'm looking for would be an evangelist/hustler-type willing to work for equity, but no salary at the start. The role would include marketing (on and offline), getting people excited, getting users, planning the launch/press strategy, etc.

Advice?

  • by VuongN on 6/30/2011, 4:38 PM

    How about you start with this: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2714304

    I think it's the same concept. But you are definitely in a much better position because you can produce the product? Find a good adviser and deal with the non-technical co-founder once you have the MVP. I think it serves you better if you do your own marketing (blog, socialnetwork and other unobtrusive marketing). I'm doing that right now and I think I feel very good about it. I guess the question is: do you need one right NOW?

  • by vrikhter on 7/1/2011, 5:21 AM

    Drop me an email (in my profile)..i'm in the opposite boat as you. Biz guy, have a part of a product already built and soon to be finished. I know the market pretty well too.