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​🤝 The Co-Founder "Marriage Interview": 10 Questions That Determine Your Success ​Choosing your co-founder is arguably the single most important decision in your startup journey. It’s not just about skills; it’s about aligning on values, commitment, and vision for the next decade. ​Before you formalize your partnership, you must sit down and resolve these 10 critical questions. Write down the answers, compare them, and discuss the inevitable differences. 👉​ Commitment & Motivation (The "Why") 1. ​What are your personal goals for this startup (financial and non-financial)? ​Are we building a lifestyle business, or swinging for a massive, high-growth outcome? 2. ​What needs to happen for you to go full-time? Do we need funding, a certain number of customers, or is your commitment immediate? 👉 ​Roles & Equity (The "How") ​3. How will we split up equity? ​Resolve this fairly and early. Is there a vesting schedule, and how will it work if one person leaves? 4. ​What will our roles and titles be, and who is the CEO? ​Even if roles evolve, define initial responsibilities and the ultimate decision-maker. 5. ​How will we handle disagreements on major decisions? ​Have a clear process for breaking ties and resolving conflict before the tension is high. 👉 ​Operational Alignment (The "Now") 6. ​What is your personal financial situation and how long can you work for free? ​Be honest about salary needs and financial runway. Will either of us put personal money into the company? 7. ​What is our typical working schedule, and what are your non-work commitments? ​Align on expected work hours and respect essential boundaries to prevent burnout. 8. ​Where will the company be based, and will we work together in-person or remotely? ​Logistical alignment is crucial for collaboration and team building. 👉 Vision & Flexibility (The "Future") 9. ​What is the core idea we will work on, and are you willing to change it (pivot)? ​Are they committed to the problem or just the current solution? Flexibility is key. 10. ​What is your philosophy on company culture and the kind of team we should build? ​Start defining your values now, as they will influence every hire and every decision going forward. ​These conversations aren't easy, but skipping them guarantees trouble down the road. Treat this phase as the most important due diligence you’ll ever conduct.