AlexMennen comments on Who Wants To Start An Important Startup? - LessWrong

41 Post author: ShannonFriedman 16 August 2012 08:02PM

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Comment author: AngryParsley 14 August 2012 03:38:11AM *  9 points [-]

I think the biggest problem with your proposal is that it's hard to do a startup with founders who don't know each other well. The founders and early employees will face long hours, stress, and possibly financial woes. Some background history and an interview aren't enough to ensure that someone won't flake. The best co-founders are friends who have worked together previously. As Paul Graham says:

And the relationship between the founders has to be strong. They must genuinely like one another, and work well together. Startups do to the relationship between the founders what a dog does to a sock: if it can be pulled apart, it will be.

Comment author: AlexMennen 14 August 2012 04:44:37AM 2 points [-]
Comment author: AngryParsley 14 August 2012 04:56:07AM 4 points [-]

That study was about VCs choosing investments, not startup founders working long, stressful hours side-by-side. I realize there are disadvantages to working with friends, but I'm pretty sure the advantages outweigh them. Paul Graham seems to agree, and he makes a living picking founders.

Comment author: wedrifid 14 August 2012 06:37:32AM 3 points [-]

http://www.overcomingbias.com/2012/06/good-friends-can-make-bad-business-partners.html

I agree and add my own personal experience as an anecdote. Business gives different incentives and prompts different applications of power. I no longer have several friends, for most part due to business related problems.