A lot of OCE members ask me the same question: “Do I need a co-founder to start a business?”
My answer? No.
I know that goes against everything you’ve probably heard. They say startups are a team sport. They say no one builds alone.
But let me tell you something—if you think a co-founder is going to make or break your business, you’re already betting on the wrong thing.
But FIRST
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The Truth About Co-Founders That No One Tells You
I’ve built my entire investment and property management business around partnerships. But there’s a difference between strategic partnerships and being locked into a co-founder relationship.
Because here’s the truth: partnerships are easy to get into and hard to get out of.
Most people don’t realize this until it’s too late. They get excited. They find someone who shares their vision, and it feels like the perfect match.
Until it isn’t.
When money, stress, and long hours get involved, people change. The best co-founders become each other’s greatest strengths. But when things go wrong? Your co-founder can become the biggest liability in your business.
Most Startups Don’t Fail Because of Bad Ideas—They Fail Because of Bad Relationships
Not enough people talk about this. 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflict.
Why? Because co-founders fight. A lot.
And if you think that won’t be you—consider this:
- Watch how they treat people they leave or disagree with. That’s how they’ll treat you if things go south. Start with the end in mind. Have an upfront conversation about expectations and document them. If it’s not signed, it never happened.
- People change—expect it. And when money is involved, expect them to turn into the worst versions of themselves. Money creates monsters.
- Incentives drive actions. If they get paid regardless of performance, expect them to do less.
I’ve seen friendships end—all because their co-founder situation became toxic.
And here’s the thing: most people won’t want it as bad as you do. They won’t be willing to sacrifice what you’re willing to.
That’s a dangerous gamble to make on someone else.
The Hardest Thing About Finding a Co-Founder? Finding the Right One
Even if you think you need a co-founder, actually finding the right person is an uphill battle.
Most people spend months—sometimes years—searching for the right co-founder. But time is your most valuable asset in a startup.
If you’re spending more time looking for a co-founder than actually building, you’re already behind.
Even Paul Graham, who’s always championed co-founders, once said:
"My advice is not to choose a co-founder but to work with people that share the same vision, goal, and enthusiasm until it becomes obvious who should be your co-founder."
Translation? Start building. The right people will reveal themselves over time.
None of this means partnerships are bad.
Some of the biggest wins in my business came from the right collaborations. And yes, I’ve also had my fair share of bad ones.
But here’s the difference—I don’t need a co-founder to build powerful partnerships.
I don’t have to split equity to collaborate. I don’t have to wait for someone else’s approval to move.
Going solo means:
- You move faster. No waiting on someone else to agree before making a call.
- You stay in control. No risk of waking up one day and realizing your co-founder has a different vision for the company.
- You pivot with speed. No dead weight when it’s time to shift gears.
If you find the right person—someone who truly shares your vision, commitment, and brings complementary skills to the table—great. But don’t let the lack of a co-founder be an excuse not to start.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need a perfect team.
You just need to be relentless enough to go all in.
Like what you read? Share with friends!
PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in?
We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders.
You can also explore purposeful opportunities through our Impact Internship Opportunities Database.
Get Curious.
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Lena
https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/
