Should your co-founder be in the same geography as you?

Hi Colette, I have cofounded a few startups being not only another city away, but another country and timezones apart. I think it really depends on if your values and vision align. Having done this few times now and experienced ones that worked and ones that fail - you really should have a very solid relationship with them already. Be upfront about what you can both commit - time, money, resources etc and of course how each other want to eventually exit the business. Consider if you were cofounding a not-for-profit - would you still want to do it with this person? It's a matter of trust and this factor alone has been my sticking point. I consider the cofounding partnership to be challenging second only to marriage! Some food for thought?

Answered 10 months ago by Shelli Trung

Not dealt, however a co-founder should be one who supports the cause and vision, and is willing to invest efforts / thoughts / words and or money! Place should be not issue I feel.. Even I am looking keenly for a co-founder for Bhasha international (www.bhasha.asia)

Answered 10 months ago by Arvind Agrawal

I started with a co-founder in another country. The biggest issue is trust and being able to communicate well. You can simulate working next to each other by running video chat the whole time.

Answered 10 months ago by Leo von Wendorff

It's definitely harder having a co-founder in another location. You're gonna generate a lot more paperwork (email and skype) keeping yourselves in sync and will also miss out on some of the motivational benefits of working alongside someone. That said, if the alternative is no co-founder at all then don't even think twice - get them on board. If they are the right person then ultimately it won't matter where they are.

Answered 10 months ago by Alex Hunte

Colette, hi personally I have cofounded a business with a remote relationship and it is working fine for us, the advantage is we are effectively launching in two different locations with two different networks. google doc's solves the collaboration and Skype the communications. However its different and not necessarily better than co-location.
If you think's its an issue it probably will be if you see it as an opportunity then it will be!

Answered 10 months ago by Michael Potts