Ask HN: How do you find a GTM cofounder for a developer-first infra startup?
4 comments
I’m a VC, not a founder, but I’ve seen a lot of what works (and what doesn't) when it comes to finding a co-founder.
Here are three pieces of advice I'd share:
1. Do not search for a cofounder in the abstract. Instead, start by pulling people into the problem. Look at your users or advisors. Pay attention during early user interviews: if someone starts offering unsolicited feedback, reframes your thinking, or shows a natural ownership instinct, that might be your person.
2. Do not underestimate technical people with storytelling skills and user empathy. Not all GTM leaders come from sales.
3. Before formalizing anything, align with your co-founder on three fronts: what you're building (make sure you're on the same page here) + your roles and decision-making + equity and commitments. Bring in a third party if needed and write things down.
Here are three pieces of advice I'd share:
1. Do not search for a cofounder in the abstract. Instead, start by pulling people into the problem. Look at your users or advisors. Pay attention during early user interviews: if someone starts offering unsolicited feedback, reframes your thinking, or shows a natural ownership instinct, that might be your person.
2. Do not underestimate technical people with storytelling skills and user empathy. Not all GTM leaders come from sales.
3. Before formalizing anything, align with your co-founder on three fronts: what you're building (make sure you're on the same page here) + your roles and decision-making + equity and commitments. Bring in a third party if needed and write things down.
Thanks, this is genuinely helpful framing.
We made the mistake of thinking in “roles” (GTM cofounder) instead of pulling people into the problem and watching for ownership.
We’re now doing short problem interviews with early users / people who engaged deeply with our Show HN, and tracking who (1) reframes the problem, (2) proposes concrete next steps, and (3) follows up unprompted. Those are strong signals.
Also +1 on the “technical storyteller” point our ideal partner might be technical but customer-obsessed rather than a traditional sales profile.
One question: when you’ve seen this work best, what’s a good lightweight way to test alignment/commitment before talking equity (e.g., a 2-4 week project sprint, shared doc, pre-defined milestones)?
We’re now doing short problem interviews with early users / people who engaged deeply with our Show HN, and tracking who (1) reframes the problem, (2) proposes concrete next steps, and (3) follows up unprompted. Those are strong signals.
Also +1 on the “technical storyteller” point our ideal partner might be technical but customer-obsessed rather than a traditional sales profile.
One question: when you’ve seen this work best, what’s a good lightweight way to test alignment/commitment before talking equity (e.g., a 2-4 week project sprint, shared doc, pre-defined milestones)?
Yes, a quick sprint can work great. Pick a clear goal, define roles, and do a retro at the end to reflect on collaboration.
If you're getting serious after the sprint, consider a neutral third party to help align on roles, equity, and decision-making. It saves pain later.
If you're getting serious after the sprint, consider a neutral third party to help align on roles, equity, and decision-making. It saves pain later.
Happy to clarify: I’m not looking to hire or pitch just trying to understand how people here have successfully met cofounders in this space.
If you’ve been through it, I’d love to hear what you’d do differently.
If you’ve been through it, I’d love to hear what you’d do differently.
A recent Show HN got ~90 GitHub stars and a few forks, which helped validate the technical wedge.
I’m now trying to figure out the right way to find a GTM/product-oriented cofounder for an infra / devtools startup (early pilots, narrative, talking to users).
For people who’ve done this before: – what worked or didn’t work? – where did you meet your cofounder? – any red flags to watch for at this stage?
Happy to share more context in comments if helpful.