What’s the best way to kill a startup? Run the bank account to $0? Lose customers? No.

The best way to kill a startup is for the co-founders to start fighting. 

I need to know how strong a team’s relationship is. So I ask every entrepreneur, “How did you meet your co-founder?”

Here are some answers I hear…

The Repeat Co-Founders

“We worked together at our last startup, GiggleGizmo. It failed, but Jim was always there, shipping product.”

I love teams that have worked together before. If they could get along at GiggleGizmo, they should be able to get along at their new startup too. 

The Childhood Pals

“We’ve been friends since childhood. We grew up on the same street.”

Even better! 

There will be some big conflicts as they build this startup. But since they have a strong relationship, I’m confident they’ll resolve them.

The Mom and Pop Startup 

“My co-founder is my wife, we’ve been married 10 years.”

This is way more common than you’d think. 

Like the longtime friends, a married couple has been through conflicts before. Since they’re still married, we know they resolved them! 

The Fast Friends

“We met at a co-founder speed dating event.”

This answer worries me a little. 

They haven’t known each other for long. Will they be able to get along for the 10+ years it takes to get to IPO? 

I need to find out more about their relationship. How do they divide tasks? What do they do when they disagree?

Wrap-Up

Founders who are childhood friends aren’t a sure bet. Founders who just met aren’t guaranteed to fail.

But a founding team that knows each other well and can resolve conflicts is a big plus.

If you’re starting a company, consider working with someone you know well. You’re more likely to make it through the hard times.

In the end, business is all about people.

More on tech:

Meet My Latest Investment: Mozi

3 Things I Hate Seeing in a Pitch

How Top Startups Break the Rules

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