Is it possible to have a startup with the co-founders living in different countries?

Watch "Indie Game: The Movie". It is clearly not a how-to on remote working, but the creators of Meat Boy lived on opposite sides of the United States. I know you are in different countries, but after about 1000 miles (1600 kilometers), does it matter where you are on the globe? I work with remote workers from, like, 30 miles (50 kilometers) away. What's the difference?

It's possible. It just takes a little extra effort.

Hey mate, I'm in Sydney and my co-founder lives in Portland. I think one of the issue for you will be to have some overlap time but otherwise it can be done.

As @thecoolestcool pointed out, standups are important to keep each other informed, and I'd suggest also have clear goals on top of the tasks and responsibilities. i.e. what outcome do you want to see by the end of the month? quarter? Then discuss progress regularly.

Definitely possible.

The key is to (1) over communicate, (2) set clear tasks/responsibilities, (3) make standups a part of the culture early and (4) embrace video calls as much as possible.

I started a business from Australia, with a man from Iceland, who I'd never met in person, never even spoken to on the phone.

12 years later, and it's all gone well. We did not get rich, but we also succeeded at running our product quite well. (http://TimeSnapper.com)

We were both technical though, so writing our communication in email and code, things were always very clear.

Just a note that it's much, much easier for your colleague to backstab you and get away with it if you're living in different countries.

This doesn't specifically apply to you, but I've heard bad stories of people starting a company in another country. One specific story where their cofounder who was a native of the foreign country tried to steal the entire business once they had funding because it had to be set up in his name for legal reasons.

Overall, as @thomasm1964 mentioned, legal disputes is a big concern to get dealt with up front.

Definitely possible, but can be tough if any of the team is not used to remote working.

I helped Dan and Matt (they are in England) start https://www.quuu.co/

I worked with Dimitar (he's in Bulgaria) build and launch (and then sell):
https://willrobotstakemyjob.com/

I'm based on the USA so lots of different timezone.

Agreed with the other comments about being up front with everyones roles and responsibilities. Also be honest about what happens if any of the team decides to move on to other projects.

Better to have these conversations now and not wait until the inevitable happens.

Time difference is key.

6 hours either way, you will have suitable overlap for proper communication, with the added benefit of extended support hours.

12 hours difference (eg. opposite ends of the world) all communication will be either one way text, or when one party is struggling to focus.

Remote teams and remote working challenges can be overcome. But co-founders need a relationship a level above normal workers.

My current co-founder is 4 hours timezone difference, previous was at times 7 hours, it worked.

I have a very similar situation with you. My school friend and I successfully founded the project living in different countries. I live in Russia and he in the Czech Republic. The time difference is 6 hours.

This comment was deleted 7 years ago