👥 How to Recruit a Technical Co-Founder for Your Startup...

5 Strategies for Finding a Tech Partner for Your Startup

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Ok, so you’re a non-technical founder – you don’t write code – and you have The Gold Tech Startup Idea – how do you find a tech partner?

It’s way more common than you think. And it’s important to keep in mind that the best talent in tech is probably already working, so your proposition has to be very attractive. Here is some food for thought on the topic.

Find your ideal technical partner:

1. Activate your network – before you do anything else, package your ideas and jump over onto WhatsApp, LinkedIn etc. and start having conversations. “Hey, I’m working on this cool new thing, can I ask your input/feedback?” Chances are someone you know knows someone who’ll be a good fit.
   
2. Try a co-founder matching network – yes, it’s a thing, and it’s free to use. Check out Y Combinator’s co-founder matching tool. Or go to startup events, meet people and tell them what you are working on. Not only can they provide valuable feedback, they can also be your next co-founder.
   
3. Package your idea very well – like we said, tech talent is probably working already, so don’t pitch “I have a good idea, you build it and take 50%”. You’re asking someone to take on sleepless nights and a huge amount of risk, so you have to give them way more reason to believe in/with you. They want to see A) your huge influencer network or previous successful marketing track record, B) your own capital, and C) your golden-pedigree business development experience. (In short, they want to see why you are the person for this, not just the product.) D) Understand what an upside could be – i.e. are you building a lifestyle business or are we IPO’ing this thing?

4. Back yourself – are you investing more than the odd hour a day and minimum money? If you back your idea, you should be confident and put money behind it. If you don’t, don’t expect someone else to do it.
   
5. Keep going – don’t stop and wait for a miracle partner to swoop in. Build it low code/no code if you have to. Legend has it Kevin Systrom wasn’t known for his programming skills, but he built the very first version of Instagram himself and used it to convey the idea and get more technical employees and VCs interested. Build your website and social profiles, develop your marketing, create your community – act as if the product is already done/underway and get traction!

Or, you know, hit reply and tell us what you’re building… maybe we can help connect you with someone.

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