Has anybody successfully started and ran a startup solo? At least until they got funding to hire a team? Wondering how common it is, and whether investors consider people like that. Thinking of a double-sided marketplace that doesn’t exist yet.
Jeff bezos
Have an imaginary friend when you are trying to raise.
I am also in same boat and figuring this out. Working on minimum viable product right now and then raise capital. Also I have people helping me but not necessarily want to become co-founders.
How did you find engineers to help you?
Google if you were to build mvp alone, would it be possible ? How long will it take to build
Missing, I’ve founded with a team and it did not work out but I’d still recommend it. Same with the solo option.
Getting enough capital without MVP or a strong founding team is already difficult. Spend 6 months on the MVP or enough money to get that developed before you look for funding is the way to go. Also, avoid any VC or YC money upfront if possible. DM if you have more questions
avoid any VC or YC money upfront if possible -> why so?
Why avoid VC or YC?
I’ve built my mvp as a solo founder but am currently looking for 2-3 cofounders to grow further and raise money from here
Salesforce is correct. Avoid them upfront until you have at least an MVP and traction. YC or VC will destroy your strategy and too much noise. Your focus should be purely in development and alignment to market needs. If you have enough belief in your startup, fund it by all possible means or ask family and friends for seeding money. Jeff did it at Amazon.
solo founder is a red flag
How to find people for potential cofounders?
cofounder matching in yc. or ask former colleagues, the latter is better is you have known them for a while. helps if at least one of you is domain expert. solo founder is a red flag because it signals that if aren’t convincing enough to have someone join you, how are you gonna convince investors to join? knowing a cofounder for only a couple months, is also probably a red flag.