Cofounders: How Not to Turn a Partnership into a Disaster - Main

When you launch a startup, it seems like the most important thing is the idea. Or the product. Or those first sales.
But the truth is, the most important thing is the people you’re going on this journey with.
Especially if you’re not doing it alone — but with one or two cofounders.

Because a cofounder isn’t just a “partner in the idea.”
They’re your partner in risk. In sleepless nights. In the decisions that shape the future.

And this is exactly where things most often fall apart.ъ

Why partnership in a startup is always a risk zone

In the beginning, everything seems simple. You’re excited about the idea, you’ve made the first moves, you click easily.
You’re both smart, ambitious, and “on the same wavelength.”

Then life happens.

Someone burns out. Someone is pulling more weight. Someone wants to be heard — and isn’t.

One has a family, kids, a second job. The other has different priorities.

“It started out great. We were friends, inspired by the idea. Then one of us stopped showing up. The other carried the whole thing alone. But we each had a third of the company. Conflicts started. Resentments piled up. The idea was strong. But we buried it. Just because we couldn’t figure out how to work together.”

That scenario is far from rare.
In fact, it’s almost the norm — if you don’t agree on things early on.

The key mistake: not having hard conversations “on the shore”

Most cofounders avoid difficult talks at the beginning. It feels awkward to bring up money, responsibilities, or “what if you leave.”

But if you don’t do it at the start — you’ll do it later.
Only then it’ll be on the backdrop of conflict, hurt, and broken trust.

Here’s what you must talk about:

1. Roles and responsibilities
Who makes the final decisions?
Who talks to investors?
Who manages the team?

If the answer is “we do everything together” — you’re heading straight into a power struggle and bruised egos.

2. How decisions are made
Is it by vote? Does one person lead while others trust? Is there veto power?

Without clarity here, even the best of friends start fighting or dragging their feet.
Startups are all about speed. Decisions must be fast.

3. What happens if someone leaves
This is very common.

And if you haven’t agreed on exit terms, equity redistribution, and vesting — expect trouble.
Someone leaves, but keeps 30% of the company. And there’s nothing you can do.

4. How you’ll resolve conflicts
Who will mediate? How do you surface disagreements? Can you bring in an external perspective?

A transparent conflict-resolution process isn’t a formality — it’s a safety net when the first real crisis hits.

A good partnership doesn’t mean “we never fight.”

It means “we know how to talk and find a way forward.”

“My cofounder and I agreed on the basics early: who’s the CEO, how we split equity, how exits work. We were 27. We had no idea how things would turn out. But two years later, when one of us wanted to leave — it all went smoothly. Because we had a clear agreement. And, more importantly, we kept our trust.”

If you want to build something big, meaningful, and alive —
you have to learn to talk not just about the product,
but with each other.