So, you have decided to launch your startup and have arranged everything required to get your business off the ground. The only thing missing is the technical knowledge and expertise needed to develop the product. That’s where you need a technical co-founder who can assist you in product designing and all technical aspects of your project.
A technical cofounder is much more than an app developer or a tech expert. They are your partners who help build your business from scratch and are there to assist you in every stage of launching, selling, and marketing your products. If you believe your business needs a co-founder with the skill sets required to take your business to new heights, you are in the right place. This post will show you some tips for finding the best and most reliable technical co-founder for your company.
Who is the Technical Co-Founder?
A technical co-founder does exactly what the name suggests. They specialize in technical work, backend operations, and complex development procedures. The contribution of a technical cofounder is usually equal to that of your contribution to your business but in different ways. You will handle your organization's management and other aspects, such as customers, employees, capital, investments, and more, while the cofounder is responsible for product development, marketing, modifications, etc.
Both of you will split the responsibilities. Some co-founders share equal equity, while others get a slightly lower percentage of the equity than the actual business owner. You can use a startup equity calculator to get a better idea of the technical co-founder’s ownership.
It isn’t always necessary for a technical co-founder to take full responsibility for product development, programming, and other tech skills. Sometimes, the co-founders work together to build a product, but the technical co-founder who performs the duties of a CTO (Chief Technical Officer) will often handle the complex parts of the product development.
Tips for Finding a Technical Co-Founder
You can’t just pick the first person who sends you their resume and has the basic programming and technical skills required to develop a product. Since you will be working together, splitting the workload, and sharing equity, it’s important to choose someone who ticks all the key traits of a professional co-founder. Here’s how to find a technical cofounder for your startup.
Social Networks
Social networks are ideal places to pitch your idea to millions of people. LinkedIn, in particular, can help you find a passionate technical expert who might be willing to work with you to make your vision a reality.
You can send DMs to individuals who fit your eligibility criteria. Although cold messaging doesn’t always work, it might help you find the person who’s the best fit for your company. Just remember your end goal and what you need from the technical co-founder. Twitter is another great place to broadcast your idea to a wider audience and find someone who might be interested in being part of your company’s objectives.
Professional Network
Have you worked for someone before? Were you a part of an organization that had technical experts or developers’ teams? Then, you can use your existing network of professional engineers to get a technical cofounder for your business.
Make a list of all the tech experts, including software developers, programmers, product developers, IT specialists, and other professionals you have worked with. Reach out to them with your startup idea, or you can work with them to come up with a startup idea that both of you can work on together to build a great product.
If you haven’t worked for an IT company or have no professional network, you can consider IT specialists from colleges and schools specializing in programming and product development to work with you. Many tech-oriented students can be found in reputable colleges.
Use Special Programs
You might have heard of the Y Combinator’s Cofounder Matching Platform. Just like a dating app, it helps you find a perfect match, except that it’s designed to find you a perfect technical co-founder for your business. Although it’s still new, the website claims to have helped more than 9000 businesses find a reliable cofounder for their organization.
You only need to list the criteria for finding a suitable partner, the qualities or skills you seek, your location, and more. Based on the filters you have used, the site will match you to the best co-founders in the industry. You will get a list of people who meet your eligibility requirements, are capable of working with you, and are passionate enough to help you achieve your long-term business goals.
Angel.co is another special platform that connects you with employees who might be looking for a technical job or passionate individuals who would be perfect for the technical cofounder role in your company. You can post your requirements and get applications from those who are willing to work with you.
Look For a CTO
Choosing a random candidate as the technical cofounder of your organization might mean putting your company at stake. You never know whether the candidate is qualified enough to be a cofounder. If you have a doubt, you can hire the candidate as the company's Chief Technology Officer and promote them to the technical cofounder’s role once you are satisfied with their work.
A CTO’s responsibilities are mostly the same as those of a technical cofounder, but the latter has bigger responsibilities and shares your company's equity. They will not just manage the software development or the product launch but build a team of technical experts who can manage various IT services in your business.
Conclusion
A technical cofounder makes sure their services and role align with your business goals. As mentioned earlier, a technical cofounder has an equal contribution in ensuring that your business achieves great heights and performs well in the long run. So, choosing the best technical cofounder whose role in your business goes beyond IT services is a must if you want your startup to outperform your competitors.