Most co-founder splits start at month six. Here's how to avoid that fate.
1. Work together first. Run a 30-day side project with no equity. See who delivers, who flakes, who shows up under pressure. 2. Talk about money before equity. What's their financial runway? What's their lifestyle expectation? Mismatched expectations destroy partnerships. 3. Define ownership in writing. Founder agreements should cover equity, vesting, decision rights, and dissolution. Don't skip this. 4. Optimize for trust, not credentials. A "B-player" you trust beats an "A-player" you don't.
