Technical Co-founder, Freelancer or Agency, what does my startup need?

Shaun Bettridge
Jul 20, 2017 · 5 min read

As a technical co-founder with a highly technical team, I often get asked about this aspect of a startup. Some people want to learn how to code and build it themselves, others want someone else to build the product, but they have two issues.

Firstly, who do I get to build it? Secondly, how do I ensure they build what I need?

For the first question, there are usually four obvious answers. The non-technical team learn and build it themselves, they hire an agency, they find a freelancer, or they find a technical co-founder. Secondly, how do you ensure quality? The nerdy friend test.

Tech Debt

Importantly, there is a term here you should know before reading on, tech-debt. Tech-debt is a loan you take out against your project, you borrow time, but you must know that it will be paid back — with interest.

Another way of looking at it is a time-saving approach now that you will have to fix later. My advice for tech-debt is the same as any loan, know the terms you are signing and the impact it will have — will you be in a position to repay without major consequences?

How do each of the four approaches work and what terms do they add to your tech-debt? Let’s go through the options.

Building a product take years of skills and knowledge

Non-technical Co-founders building the product

Grab the team sit down and think about this, can your product exist using off the shelf tech at a stage you are happy to call MVP. Are you building a business where you can get by with google sheets, Facebook messaging or some other bought software? If so you might be able to pull it together, bootstrap, validate raise and then build your product. In that case, you are then stuck with the manual, non-scalable solution for the interim that will keep you busy and distracted from growth — that is the interest.

Should you learn to code and build it yourself? Would you do three years of auto mechanics to fix your car? Probably not, you might learn a bit so that when your mechanic tells you that your carburettor needs replacing you know if you have one or not. You might learn to change the oil or replace a flat tyre, and as a car owner, I would encourage that. As a co-founder, I would say it is essential, at the least, to know your technology so that you can either call bullshit when it is needed or jump in for small quick fixes.

At the end of the day, I encourage learning the tech but discourage building yourself.

Agency

I have not gone down this path before, so I will keep this section brief. Cost, time, quality — pick two and know you will pay for information asymmetry and potentially not just financially. Also, make sure recommendations are not affiliated with the agency.

Freelancer

This requires something, money. Not necessarily a lot but something.
It might be worth saving a bit and to stick out the 9–5 a bit longer and save. I would then reach out to the nerdiest person you know (hit me up if you’re running low on options) or go to some startup meet-ups/programming meet-ups and chat with people (remember some people may evangelise technology, try to find someone that will tell both sides of the story). Try to get a good idea of what you need. If your nerdy friend approves it has passed the nerdy friend test, for better results ask multiple nerdy friends! This video may help you understand some concepts and names if you are building on the web development space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBzRwzY7G-k).

Try and find someone proficient in languages and libraries in popular/relevant/up-to-date languages (I generally want full stack to start, Python/Django/React/Redux for web applications). Obscurity of technology could hurt you later if the tech doesn’t pan out. Find someone that is on your level and understands what you are building. Experience in small teams/startups where they have had to wear many hats is also a decent sign. You can also hit up the personal reference, or better yet do they publicly recommend them on LinkedIn. It might take some searching but if you find this person, wherever they may be in the world, go for it.

As a rule, I ordinarily agree a fixed fee, 2–4 week trial. If they are good, and your nerdy mate agrees. From there you either have someone to engage long term or not. Engaging someone long term that doesn’t know what you want or isn’t on board results in significant tech debt.

Technical Co-founder

Ultimately, I feel this is the most beneficial option. If you can convince someone to join your idea and put skin in the game AND build the thing for you, go for it! If you’re unsure start them as a paid freelancer, suss them out and make a decision. You want a co-founder, not a hobbyist, make sure you see some passion as well as sacrifice.

Remember though; the same rules apply as the freelancer. Take it seriously and make sure they are the right person. The suggested technology should still pass the proper reference/nerdy-friend tests.

Where to score the next member of your A-Team

The best place to find your freelancer/co-founder:
- Friend (works better as co-founder, paying friends can become messy)
- Personal References (Ask around)
- Startup/Tech Meetups (Get networking)
- Online (Helping out on stack overflow and publishing code on Github, bonus points for open source code that people use)
- Asking around co-working spaces or a product/feedback session/pitch at a startup event where you can describe your idea and ask for help

Once you have you team, its becomes about keeping your momentum up!

Our Team

To be fair, I don’t like any of the terms, especially freelancer. I like to think that we have a team, some are paid, and others have equity. I don’t want to hire someone that just wants a 9–5, that’s not why we started this. I honestly think that that attitude has served me well. I know I have a great team at CourseCouch, and from my perspective, everyone sees values in the project, everyone contributes and post-launch I want them on board for the journey.

That’s my 2c anyway.

So what are we building?

At CourseCouch, we connect people sharing what they love and help them get closer to making a living from their passion.

Have you mastered the art of fire twirling? Have some Instagram followers that love what your craft? Would love to teach people how to surf, play ball, speak Japanese or code like a pro? Join us and start sharing your passion with real locals, face-to-face.

CourseCouch, is a free to use marketplace and booking platform for social learning. Pre-register today at www.coursecouch.com to join us. You can also keep in touch on Facebook!

ApointB

Appointments, bookings and ticket sales. A platform for SMEs, professionals and instructors. Free to join! www.ApointB.com

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Shaun Bettridge

Written by

Co-Founder of ApointB

ApointB

ApointB

Appointments, bookings and ticket sales. A platform for SMEs, professionals and instructors. Free to join! www.ApointB.com

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