Starting a business with the wrong co-founder is like getting into a long-term relationship without asking the tough questions first. Everything might seem great at the start, but when things get rough (and they will), you’ll wish you had dug deeper. Finding the right person isn’t just about shared enthusiasm—it’s about trust, responsibility, and knowing how they handle chaos.

Ask These Questions For Potential Co-Founders

What Motivates You to Start This Business?

People start companies for different reasons—some want freedom, some chase money, and others just love solving problems. If your motivations don’t align, expect friction down the road. A co-founder who’s in it for quick cash won’t have the patience to grind through tough times. A partner who prioritizes creative control might clash with someone focused on rapid scaling.

How Do You Handle Stress and Failure?

Startups aren’t smooth sailing. The real test comes when things go south—missed targets, funding struggles, product failures. Ask about past experiences where they faced setbacks. Did they adapt or crumble? If they can’t handle pressure, they’re not the right fit.

What Skills Do You Bring to the Table?

If both of you have the same strengths and weaknesses, that’s a problem. A strong partnership balances technical skills with business strategy, creativity with execution. One should complement what the other lacks. Define roles early so there’s no confusion when decisions need to be made fast.

This is where many startup teams fail—unclear roles lead to frustration and power struggles. The podcast episode Startup Co-Founder Roles: Find a Co-Founder – Episode 2 breaks down how to align roles and avoid common mistakes that derail partnerships. It’s worth a listen if you want to dodge these pitfalls.

How Do You Approach Conflict?

Disagreements will happen. The real question is whether those disagreements turn into productive discussions or full-blown wars. Some people avoid conflict until it explodes; others pick fights over every little detail. Figure out how your potential co-founder argues and resolves issues before committing to anything serious.

What Are Your Expectations Around Equity and Decision-Making?

Money and power disputes can destroy even the best partnerships. Be upfront about equity splits and decision-making authority from day one. Who has the final say on key choices? How will shares be divided if one founder puts in more effort than the other? These conversations might be uncomfortable, but avoiding them leads to resentment later on.

The Startup Co-Founder Roles podcast episode also covers equity splits in detail—because nothing creates tension faster than feeling undervalued in your own company. Listen here: Startup Co-Founder Roles.

How Do You Test Working Together Before Committing?

A great idea doesn’t mean you’ll make great partners. Before making it official, run a test project together—a small product launch, a side hustle, something that forces you to collaborate under pressure. This will reveal working styles, communication habits, and potential red flags before you’re legally tied together in a business entity you can’t easily escape from.

questions for potential co-founders

Don’t Skip the Hard Questions

Skipping these questions for potential co-founders is like skipping a prenup before marriage—you might regret it later when things fall apart. The right partner isn’t just someone who shares your vision; it’s someone who can weather storms with you without losing their mind (or making you lose yours). Want more insights on avoiding co-founder disasters? Check out Startup Co-Founder Roles: Find a Co-Founder – Episode 2.