Co-Founder not responding!
So I along with a guy are building a startup. We are together in it from long. Initially started it as side project, he wrote the first line of code.
Then when I decided to go full time in it, we both decided to do it together. After early validation, I left my job and went full time while he keeping his job. I understood his condition and do not wanted to put burden.
After a while we got companu incorporated and I gave him 50-50 share. No discussion around it.
I keep investing whatever capital is required, company also pays for its operations but new hires/growth experiment is where I put my money. Idea is once we stabilise and raise I will take it out as salary/bonus or xyz. (Not much concerned).
My cofounder he keeps shipping along with his job. Some times his job gets hectic and I understand and take hit by slowing things down here.
Last month he got married and now he is in pretty locked up state.
We have a meet last to last week and I explained strategies/plans and fundraise initiatives too. He was in on all. He agreed to solve all bugs and issues and get back to work.
Again last week no show. Then I kept pinging, and on Friday evening he messaged, will do all on weekend. Not getting time.
Again no show over weekend, already 2 days passed in this week, no response.
We have plans in marketing/business everything now hanging kind of.
Its is also making me anxious and stressed. Yesterday I even stalked him on insta and saw him frequently active.
Tried calling couple of times over whatsapp & regular phone. No response on WhatsApp and on phone he sent me pre-defined message, “I”ll be rhere soon”.
Not sure what to interpret of it?
Ok I will be your Co founder
Me too, can do full-time.
Thanks for that :)
I don’t know the structure of company but it needs to be best and not outright. Because then if someone leaves you won’t have given away 50% of your company to someone who is no longer working and legal battles get complex especially in this country.
Best is to lawyer up and get your own lawyer and CA as well to make sure it is based on vesting and not 50% right out of the box. Vesting makes sure that people who are locked in and working only gets the shares.
To be devils advocate: your cofounder just got married so he might be genuinely busy. But it is better to be cautious and get legal involved from your side so that you are secured and especially the company.
Wrong co-founder can take down the company and btw co-founder issues is the biggest reason for startup failure as per YC as well. So don’t take it lightly but remember that you will have to work with him if things get better.
What are you building I can help with tech as I am building something myself too
You are building while at Avaya,, need hands alongwith? Available... Let me know. Thanks
Thanks a ton for offer!
Seems your co-founder is married with experienced & manipulative HR. Better Start searching your 2 co-founders at once.
Whose idea was it? If the idea and the initial gap identification was by your partner then you should have a talk with him. If the idea and view is all you and he is technical head then sure reduce his percentage or buy him out. Explain it’s better to get back his worth in company as cash rather than see it burn down due to his not availability. Give him the opportunity to come back as technical lead or advisor if needed in future.
The idea and strategy and plan everything belongs to me. He is the one who codes it from first line.
Call him from a different number, if he picks up just confront empathetically - Hey I am not sure what's up with you, but I do understand that things change post marriage so you might need more time settling in. But I am literally hanging by thread here and can't burn money without any visibility, so it would be really helpful to understand your decision: even if you choose to not continue I would respect that. Something like that
Move on. Break the deal
Can you hire an software engineer? In need of a job
