Finding the Right Co-Founder: Lessons from My Own Journey

+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London

Author

Vasily Alekseenko
November 25, 2024

Finding the Right Co-Founder: Lessons from My Own Journey

Finding a co-founder is one of the hardest—and most important—decisions you’ll make as a founder. Trust me, I’ve been there. Over the course of my startup journey, I’ve worked with four different co-founders. Each relationship came with its own lessons, challenges, and (let’s be honest) moments of frustration. But one thing became crystal clear: having the right co-founder makes all the difference.

Why You Need a Co-Founder

Building a startup isn’t just about the work—it’s about the emotional rollercoaster. A good co-founder doesn’t just share the workload; they share the highs and lows. When things are going great, they’ll celebrate with you. When things are falling apart, they’ll remind you why you’re doing this.

Beyond support, a great co-founder complements your skills. I’ve learned the hard way that no founder can be good at everything. The right co-founder fills in those gaps, whether it’s technical expertise, sales skills, or just seeing problems from a fresh perspective.

And, honestly, let’s not ignore the numbers: the most successful startups in history all had co-founders (Facebook had Zuckerberg and Moskovitz. Apple had Jobs and Wozniak). It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s a proven strategy.

The Hard Truth About Finding a Co-Founder

I’ll be real with you—it’s not easy. You don’t just bump into your perfect co-founder at a coffee shop (though wouldn’t that be nice?). Finding someone who shares your vision, work ethic, and ability to handle stress takes time.

In my experience, co-founder relationships often break down because of misaligned goals or different expectations about work ethic. If one of you is ready to eat, sleep, and breathe the business, while the other wants a chilled-out work-life balance, it’s not going to work. Have these conversations upfront. Ask: Why do you want to start a company? What does success look like for you?

Where to Start Your Search

If you’re lucky, the right person might already be in your network—an ex-colleague, a friend, or someone you’ve worked with on side projects. But don’t assume they’re unavailable. Always make the ask. You’d be surprised how many people are open to jumping into something exciting if approached the right way.

If your network isn’t turning up anyone, don’t panic. There are tools that can help, like the YC Co-Founder Matching Platform. It’s a great resource for connecting with people actively looking to start a company. Just keep in mind, the strongest teams tend to form between people with overlapping interests or similar values.

You can also expand your network by attending hackathons, meetups, or even contributing to open-source projects. Anywhere builders hang out is a potential goldmine.

My Biggest Lesson? Test the Relationship Early

One thing I’ve learned is you can’t rush into a co-founder relationship. Start small. Work on a project together, even if it’s just a weekend prototype. See how they handle stress, how they give feedback, and how you communicate under pressure. It’s not all that different from dating—better to figure out compatibility before you’re locked into something long-term.

Final Thoughts

Having the right co-founder can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough. But finding them? That’s a journey in itself. Be patient, be intentional, and don’t settle. Whether it’s through your network, a platform like YC’s, or somewhere unexpected, the right person is out there.

Good luck—and remember, you’re not just looking for someone to build with. You’re looking for someone to share the dream.

RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS❤️

Rare Founders

The Rare Factor: B2B & B2C SaaS Live Demos

​Get ready for The Rare Factor! On December 9th, we’re putting a comedic twist on the classic X-Factor format, specifically crafted for B2B and B2C SaaS startups. This isn’t just another pitch event—it’s a live showdown where 8 selected companies will showcase their products in real time.

The last day to apply for b2b & b2c SaaS startups is on Mon, 25h of Nov. Apply now.

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Mon 9 Dec, 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

Rare Founders

Startup Christmas Party: A Night to Let Loose!

While Mariah Carey slowly defrosts, it’s time for the startup community to come together and shake off the year’s hard work with a night of pure celebration. This isn’t your typical networking event—it’s a full-on Startup Christmas Party, hosted by Rare Founders, SeedLegals, Hotbed, and Building Companies, bringing the whole startup ecosystem under one festive roof!

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Tue 10 Dec, 18:00 - 00:00 GMT

Rare Founders

Navigating Fundraising Challenges for Fintech Companies

​Join us for an in-depth panel discussion on Navigating Fundraising Challenges for Fintech Companies, tailored specifically for startups in the fintech ecosystem. This event will bring together experienced voices in fintech to explore the unique hurdles fintech founders face when raising capital. From regulatory complexities to investor expectations and competition in a fast-evolving market, we’ll dig into the real issues that impact fintech fundraising.

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Wed 11 Dec, 9:30 - 12:30 GMT

OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟

unrest

Cap Table Mistakes Could Cost You Thousands - Here’s How to Avoid Them

Join this value-packed webinar with Finn Maclean, VC Partnerships & Equity Compensation Lead at Carta, and get exclusive insights into the world of cap tables and equity strategies!

Online event

Tue 26 Nov, 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

Techspace

People Breakfast: Pre-Holiday Edition 🎄

​☕️ 🥐 With a cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand, catch up with People Leaders across the ecosystem for our final get-together of the year. Enjoy a breakfast spread, meet someone new and reconnect with peers to round up your 2024!

In-person event

Barbican area, London, UK

Tue 26 Nov, 8:30 - 11:00 GMT

storyblok

What Rockstar CMOs Need to Know: The New Rules of B2B Marketing and Best of Breed Solutions

There is a lot going on for B2B marketing leaders to focus on, trendy advice, technology and best practices, but what should we focus on? In this insightful session Ian and Thomas apply their 40 years of marketing experience to the hot topics that marketers are talking about and decide if they are short-term one-hit-wonders or like Oasis’s classic hit a timeless Wonderwall.

Online event

Tue 26 Nov, 10:00 - 11:00 GMT

SeedLegals

Breakfast & Big Ideas: Founders and Investors with HSBC Innovation Banking

​​Kickstart your day with SeedLegals over breakfast as we dive into powerful insights on scaling and securing growth in today’s dynamic market. ​Whether you’ve already raised £350k+ or are preparing for your next round, come connect, learn, and be inspired by those leading the way.

In-person event

Moorgate area, London, UK

Wed 27 Nov, 8:00 - 12:30 GMT

Eurasian Startup Hub

Fireside Chat: VC Meets Founder

​Join this deep dive into what makes marketplaces like Material Index tick — the unique challenges, the investor dynamics, and the key traits that attract funding. Learn what sets marketplaces apart, why construction is ripe for innovation, and how investors can back these businesses effectively.

In-person event

Eurasian Startup Hub, Unit 9 - Leather Market, London , UK, SE1 3ER

Wed 27 Nov, 18:00 - 20:00 GMT

vestd

Scaling your company in 2025

Join us for this interactive, free webinar with Jeff Williams, a Business Coach with over 20 years of experience helping businesses grow.

Jeff will share practical growth and business planning strategies to help you scale your company in 2025 and beyond. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and get them answered live!

Online event

Thu 28 Nov, 11:00 - 12:00 GMT

Block Dojo

Block Dojo Cohort 9 Showcase

​​​Come on down to our bustling London HQ, where you'll be among the first to meet our newest group of AI and blockchain startups actively seeking SEIS/EIS investment.

​​​At the showcase, you'll get an exclusive peek at their business propositions and see the impressive progress they've made during the 12-week Dojo programme. You do not want to miss this!

In-person event

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Plexal, Here East, London, E15 2GW, UK

Thu 28 Nov, 11:00 - 12:00 GMT

PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES🌿

SeedLegals

SeedLegals Awards 2025 Nominations are Open!

Don’t miss your chance to enter yourself or nominate someone sensational for a SeedLegals Startup Award 2025 – the deadline for nominations and entries is 13 December 2024.

We’ve got 13 awards up for grabs for the ultimate game-changers, disruptors and visionaries of the UK startup scene. Every finalist stands a chance to win our prestigious Startup of the Year title and a £50k+ investment offer!

Block Dojo

Applications for Q1 2025 cohort are closing soon

Block Dojo is a London-based Web3 and AI venture builder running three 12-week programs per year. They invest £10k in early-stage founders (idea or pre-MVP) and provide access to their design team, developers, financial modellers, and partner credits with companies like Google Cloud. Valued at £250k, the program is completely free for founders. At the end, startups pitch their MVPs to investors at a showcase event. In the past two years, Block Dojo has launched 71 companies, including 8 in the Philippines. Applications for the next cohort, starting January 2025, are now open for 8-10 new companies.

Application deadline: 1st Dec, 2024.

Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders

Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.

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