What’s holding you back from finding the right partner?
Hey everyone 👋
Finding the right co-founder or partner can make a huge difference in bringing a startup to life but it’s not always easy. I wanted to open up a conversation around the challenges we face when trying to team up with the right people.
👉 What’s the biggest roadblock you’re running into when it comes to partnering up?
👉 Is it about trust, finding complementary skills, aligning on vision, or just not knowing where to start?
Feel free to share specific stories or struggles whether you’ve tried partnerships before, are currently searching, or are on the fence about whether you even need one.
By being honest about what makes this process tough, we can help each other learn, avoid mistakes, and maybe even connect with the right people in this very group. 🙌
Looking forward to hearing your experiences!
Hej. I like this idea you have. Love it. My problem is that I know what I want and I don’t know where they are. And because I’m so specific I know there isn’t many ppl out there. I can’t be less specific and less critical about what I want. I’ve got the standard for an important reason. You don’t know anyone in software engineering, coding, programming, app and web building? CTO and co-founder type of person. Who’s got some knowledge of the game not only behind the computer but also with real life ceo work? In Europe? And there is more to it but I will spot there. I think that is my problem, I’m not looking in the right direction? What do you think?
I totally get where you’re coming from being specific with your standards is actually a strength, even if it makes the search tougher. It just means the right fit will align more deeply when you find them 🙌. I don’t personally know the perfect match in Europe right now, but I do know someone in my network who’s an expert in tech connections. I could point you their way if that helps. Also, communities like Indie Hackers, LinkedIn groups, and even local founder meetups in Europe can be great spots to find CTO/co-founder types who blend tech skills with business sense. You’re not looking in the wrong direction maybe just need a few more channels to explore.
Hej. Thank you yes I do think it is a disguised strength to be specific. I’d love to know that person you talk about. My email is “ruby.fiischer” and then the gmail. c o m.
The platform doesn’t let me put it fully but I hope you figure it out. And thank you for your help. Even if it’s only to hear that I’m not ok the wrong with my standards I feel better.
Glad that helped! And yes, being specific will save you a lot of time in the long run. I’ll pass your contact along to my expert so they can reach out directly. You’re definitely not off-track staying clear on your standards is exactly what will attract the right fit. Excited to see where this leads for you. Your Gmail is the name in brackets right?
Yes in the “” ruby.fiischer
Thank you and keep up your work up its great :) you might have helped me a lot more than you think.
Hey! How are you doing today? I was unable to get your email account, check my profile you will see my expert link there message me there so I can connect you with the expert.
Have a great day.
Really appreciate that glad to hear it was helpful! That means a lot, and I’m always happy to support however I can. Excited to see your progress!
Yes this is my total problem. I have been trying to find the right partner / a partner for decades. I know there are some things needed. drive trust, spirit, time etc. I know with the right partner we could do something significantly meaningful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I completely understand where you’re coming from. Finding the right partner can feel like a long journey, but sometimes it’s less about doing everything alone and more about building the right systems that support you. That’s where automation really comes in it gives you the consistency, reliability, and scale you’d normally expect from a strong partner.
The good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. I actually know someone who’s really skilled in setting up automation that saves time and drives results. If you’d like, I can connect you so you can see how their expertise might help you move things forward faster.
While working on Truly Curious, a site devoted to promoting researchers and the science they do, the biggest problem has been finding someone who can balance sales skills with integrity.
Admittedly, it's not easy for a business partner to plan for a website that is meant to be free, given that it is meant to allow access to people in the poorest nations. I've had discussions that address these issues, and recommendations to have coverage of products and/or funders. I self-funded what I could, but a partner with integrity who cares for science would be great.
That’s such an inspiring mission making science more accessible is no small task. I can imagine how tough it must be to find someone who has both sales skills and the heart for what you’re building.
In the meantime, have you thought about using a bit of sales automation? Things like outreach and follow ups can run in the background so you don’t have to carry it all alone it might give you some breathing room while you’re still looking for the right partner.
I have been looking for three years. Partially, I didn't have traction until this year. Partially, it's difficult to find someone in my niche who isn't already doing their own thing.
Three years shows real persistence and it sounds like this year’s traction is a big step forward. You’re right finding someone in a niche who isn’t already building their own thing can be tough. Maybe the angle isn’t to look for someone already in your niche, but someone who believes in your vision and brings complementary skills so you don’t have to shoulder it all. Sometimes the best partners aren’t the ones “in it” already, but those who want to be part of something meaningful.
What has been a roadblock to achieve success at the moment?
stupid posts like this one - this is not the place for surveys
My intention wasn’t to run a survey but to start a genuine conversation around shared challenges we all face. Posts like this often spark insights and connections that help people move forward. Appreciate the feedback though