Have a good idea but can’t code? How to find a technical co-founder
5 pieces of advice when looking for a technical co-founder.
Written by Anton Holmquist // Also shared on Startups.co.
Many startups begin with a few people having an idea they want to pursue. In this group, there is often a natural CEO joined by some people with more or less defined roles, but no coder. So the next step usually to find that person, and this often proves to be one of the most difficult positions to fill. It is also a key role — in the short term to build a prototype to validate the market, and in the long term to create a technological advantage over competitors.

So, why is it so difficult to find a tech co-founder?
There is currently a huge shortage of programmers and many are already employed with high salaries and good working conditions. Others are freelancing or already working on their own ideas. Because of this shortage, developers are often drowning in recruitment offers. This has created an environment where even junior developers have started to see job offers as spam. The barrier to leave this lucrative environment is high which naturally puts high expectations on each and every alternative.
At an early stage, the typical startup rarely have much money, so competing with salary or security is usually not an option. You need to find other values. Freedom and the opportunity to work with something they are passionate about is important, but rarely sufficient. You must also be able to convince the developer that there is real substance in the business model and that the team as a whole has what it takes to go all the way to a profitable or scalable business.
So how can you improve your chances to find a tech co-founder? Some concrete advice:
1. NETWORK AND TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR IDEA
Get out there, meet people and always talk openly about your idea. Skip the NDA and be completely transparent about what are trying to create and who you are looking for. You may believe your idea is unique, but you can be almost certain that it is not. Execution is everything and if you are too secretive you are risking to miss opportunities to create interest.
2. CLEARLY SHOW YOUR OWN VALUE
Building a first version of the product often takes several months. For a programmer to find the time and energy to do this puts very high expectations on the rest of the team. Someone must be responsible for developing a business plans, talking to potential clients or attracting investors, and all that stuff. If everyone wants to have opinions about the product, but no one wants to take on other important tasks, it can be difficult to keep a developer motivated. Show clearly what you and the rest of the team will contribute.
3. SHOW WHAT YOU ARE READY TO RISK
Do not expect that the programmer to sit to work evenings and weekends while you are not. If you have a job, show that you are willing to leave it and dedicate. Joining on a startup usually implies insecurity, so knowing that someone else believes in the project enough to quit their job can be comforting.
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