Discovering a Joint Venture Partner in Tech Using LinkedIn

In the fast-paced world of software startups, finding the right co-founder can be a daunting task. With the vast number of potential candidates, it's not always guaranteed that everyone will respond, and the process can be lengthy. In the case of Jared, it took 12 days to receive a response.

However, when a response is received, convincing the potential co-founder of the project's awesomeness and viability becomes the next challenge. This was the case for the author, who was on a mission to find a co-founder with technical skills and the drive to take ownership of software development.

The author's co-founder, who came from the developer world, was initially not interested in time tracking software. But with the right pitch, the author was able to change his mind. The author presented data and experience related to the time tracking software industry, showcasing the potential for growth and success.

The author's expertise lies in marketing and operations, making a partnership with a technical co-founder essential for the project's success. The authors' and the co-founder's different skill sets allow them to divide and conquer, making decisions more efficient and reducing the risk of crossed wires.

To effectively find a business co-founder with technical skills and a strong business mindset, the author combined targeted networking, participation in startup ecosystems, and careful evaluation of potential candidates.

Networking within personal and professional networks, using platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, was a key approach. Attending thematic conferences and hackathons also provided opportunities to meet potential co-founders in a context where technical skills and business interests intersect.

Engaging with startup incubators and accelerators, such as Y Combinator and 500 Startups, was another approach. These environments attract dedicated entrepreneurs and technical talents who are committed to building products from scratch.

Evaluating complementary skills and experience was crucial. The author looked for a co-founder who balanced their skills, especially technical ability to complete product development and business acumen for management and scaling. Ideally, they had relevant management experience or the capacity to learn quickly.

Considering locality for practical collaboration was also important. Sharing the same geographic location simplifies communication and collaboration, which is crucial during intense early-stage development and ongoing management. In-person meetings foster trust-building, aligning visions and work styles.

Focusing on collaboration across roles was another key approach. Encouraging co-founders to stay involved across domains—technical co-founders participating in business decisions like fundraising, and business co-founders engaging with product testing and user feedback—strengthens leadership alignment and product completion capacity.

In conclusion, to build a successful product and company in the software industry, finding a technical co-founder with a strong business mindset is crucial. By leveraging networking, startup ecosystems, careful evaluation, and a focus on collaboration, you can maximise your chances of finding a committed, skilled co-founder.

The author's experience taught them that to build a product like Hubstaff, they would need someone to drive the tech side, which is why they went to find a co-founder. The author also showed the co-founder their track record of establishing and managing several successful online businesses that generated revenue of 1MM and above. Completing a product is seen as a sign of dedication, long hours, and ownership over something.

Management experience is important for a co-founder because as the business grows, new developers will need to be managed. The data presented included hard numbers such as the number of customers, cost to acquire each customer, and the need for the product. The author believes that pitching a potential co-founder is important for them to ask questions and consider everything.

References:

[1] VentureBeat. (2018, August 28). How to find a technical co-founder. Retrieved from https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/28/how-to-find-a-technical-co-founder/
[2] First Round Review. (2017, February 28). How to find a co-founder. Retrieved from https://firstround.com/review/how-to-find-a-co-founder/
[3] TechCrunch. (2016, June 14). How to find a co-founder for your startup. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/14/how-to-find-a-co-founder-for-your-startup/
[4] Y Combinator. (n.d.). Y Combinator. Retrieved from https://www.ycombinator.com/
[5] 500 Startups. (n.d.). 500 Startups. Retrieved from https://500.co/
For entrepreneurs in the software industry, using technology gadgets like smartphones and tracking apps such as Hubstaff can help with time management and productivity, essential for business success.
The author's blog often features articles on the importance of finance management for startups, discussing topics like cost reduction, revenue projections, and investment strategies.
As a successful entrepreneur, the author understands the significance of collaboration and teamwork with the right co-founder, who not only has technical skills but also a strong business acumen and drive for management and scaling the company.
In the fast-paced world of software startups, partnering with a co-founder can make the decisive difference, allowing entrepreneurs to divide and conquer, with one person taking charge of technology development while the other focuses on marketing, operations, and finance.