Key insights

• ⚖️ Having a co-founder is advantageous for splitting tasks and emotional burden. Only 3 out of the top 50 companies by evaluation were started by solo founders.
• 🎓 Most co-founders meet in school or at work, followed by mutual friends. Female founders tend to meet their co-founders in a similar way, with slightly more meeting at school.
• ⚙️ Building a good team is crucial; they should be well-balanced, able to build and sell, and have a history of working together.
• 📈 Investors look for evidence of long-term commitment and collaboration between co-founders, regardless of when the idea was conceived. An even equity split is favored, considering the long-term growth of the company.
• 💼 Co-founders should be equally invested and willing to work hard for a long time. Consider equal equity when bringing on a co-founder. 94% of the top YC companies have co-founders with equal equity.

Q&A

• What do investors look for in co-founding teams?

  Investors look for evidence of long-term commitment and collaboration between co-founders, regardless of when the idea was conceived. They also prefer an even equity split, and consider equal investment and dedication from co-founders, as demonstrated by the high percentage of top YC companies with equal co-founder equity.

• What criteria does Y Combinator look for in co-founding teams?

  Y Combinator looks for well-balanced teams with the ability to both build and sell, clear and succinct communication, and a history of working together. Additionally, they seek evidence of long-term commitment and collaboration between co-founders, preferably with an even equity split focused on long-term growth.

• Where do most co-founders meet?

  Most co-founders meet in school or at work, followed by mutual friends. This pattern is similar for female founders with slightly more meeting at school. Meeting a potential co-founder through school or work provides a context for collaboration.

• Why is having a co-founder advantageous?

  Having a co-founder is advantageous for splitting tasks and the emotional burden, contributing to the overall success and support of the company. While solo founders can start successful companies, having a co-founder provides various benefits.

• 00:00 In this segment, Alec, a partner at Y Combinator, discusses the need for a co-founder, where top YC companies met their co-founders, what YC looks for in co-founding teams.
• 00:29 Solo founders can start successful companies, but having a co-founder is advantageous for splitting tasks and emotional burden. Only 3 out of the top 50 companies by evaluation were started by solo founders.
• 01:10 Most co-founders meet in school or at work, followed by mutual friends. Female founders tend to meet their co-founders in a similar way, with slightly more meeting at school.
• 01:51 Building a good team is crucial; they should be well-balanced, able to build and sell, and have a history of working together.
• 02:24 Investors look for evidence of long-term commitment and collaboration between co-founders, regardless of when the idea was conceived. An even equity split is favored, considering the long-term growth of the company.
• 03:02 Co-founders should be equally invested and willing to work hard for a long time. Consider equal equity when bringing on a co-founder. 94% of the top YC companies have co-founders with equal equity.