Finding a co-founder is extremely hard. So many things have to line-up and so many things will have to be worked out. I’ll start the list with some questions that I think are necessary to ask. Then, I follow up with some questions that help in discovering fit or flag potential problems.
These are based on this article and some YC and EF methodology.
Must Ask
Structure
Location? Remote?
Equity split?
Timeframe and acceptable pace of success?
Do we bootstrap or fundraise? How long?
How do we startup-divorce?
Commitment & Work Style
Can you be successful and not sacrifice family and friends? Is it desirable?
What’s your time commitment for exploring product-market fit? What’s your showstopper?
What’s your personal runway?
What’s your minimum salary and its runway?
What’s your runway for zero money?
Policy on co-founders’ freelance jobs?
Socialising with co-founder and employees?
Helpful Questions
Are our skills complimentary?
Do we have a right to win in that idea?
Strengths?
Weaknesses?
How many hours are you willing to work?
How do you feel your responsibilities should change with scaling?
What if there product-market fit but no excitement?
What motivates you?
What is success to you?
From the people around you, whom do you admire, who are they and why?
What are you most proud of work-wise?
Top values in your ideal company?
How will we resolve personal conflict?
Skills & Passion for:
Sales
Marketing
Product Strat
Design
Engineering
Ops
Fundraising
Legal
Recruiting