Why does The Other Cofounder exist?

I began my VC backed journey as a non-CEO cofounder close to a decade ago.

Here's how the advice to CEOs went:

• You can call someone a cofounder if you give them 10% equity.
• A cofounder is the most expensive dilution you'll ever take.
• 2/3 of startups fail because of cofounder conflict so take care of your cofounder relationship.

Wait, wait - see anything weird there? Pay your cofounder as little as you can and also build a great relationship. Huh?

And the advice for the other cofounder reads like Elad Gil's: "As the non-CEO founder, you will need to learn to manage your own needs and ego to make the company successful."

Sounds reasonable and actually practical.

Until about the 100th time you're debugging code answering yet another question for your CEO. He's calling from a hot tub in Vail vibing with investors.

You just need to manage your ego. Sit down, shut up, and build. (For a crap equity share.)

And you think, how did I get here and what is wrong with this whole system?

Other than a single decade-old article in Fortune magazine by Jeff Bussgang, there is nothing out there about the journey of the other cofounder, which is most assuredly not the same as the cofounder CEO.

This blog is about unraveling those complexities, sharing my experience where it can be helpful, and creating some community.

Shoot me any questions you have about this trippy trip, othercofounder at gmail.

I'm not your lawyer, your therapist, your advisor, or your accountant. We're just internet friends, and these are just my experiences and personal opinions. Consult professionals for advice before you make any sudden moves in your startup.

You will see the occasional affiliate link. I do earn a commission if you buy the products I recommend. I appreciate you buying through the links if you're going to buy. This is a labor of love for my fellow cofounders, and I do love receiving a few coins to pay hosting costs if you like my work.