The Co-Founder Alignment Checklist

SDS 058: The Co-Founder Alignment Checklist

Hey! thank you for reading issue 058 of Startup Definition Sunday (SDS). You can read past issues here.

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Co-founder misalignment is one of the leading reasons startups fail. It’s like setting off on a cross-country road trip only to find out halfway through that your co-driver wants to head in the opposite direction.

Before you even hit the gas, it’s critical to align on the things that will truly matter when the road gets bumpy (because it will).

Here are three pivotal areas to align on with your co-founder before launching your startup:

Vision: Where Are You Driving This Thing?

Before you write your first line of code or spend a dollar, you and your co-founder need to have a shared vision for the company. Are you building for a quick exit, or are you in it for the long haul? Do you want to bootstrap or raise venture capital? A misalignment in vision won’t show up immediately, but it will almost certainly become a source of friction down the line.

Schedule a candid conversation with your co-founder(s) about where you see the company in 1, 5, and 10 years. Write it down. Does everyone agree on the destination?

Values: How Do You Want to Operate?

Your startup's culture will reflect the values you and your co-founder hold. If one of you prioritizes speed above all else while the other values meticulous execution, you’ll clash when it comes to decision-making. Aligning on values ensures you can build a team and a product you’re proud of.

Each of you should write down your top three non-negotiable values when it comes to work and leadership (e.g., transparency, innovation, work-life balance). Then, compare notes. Where do you overlap? Where do you differ?

Roles & Responsibilities: Who’s Driving What?

One of the fastest ways to create tension is a lack of clarity around roles. If both of you are trying to lead product development, for instance, you’ll step on each other’s toes. On the flip side, if no one feels responsible for fundraising, it’ll fall through the cracks. Clear lanes reduce friction and keep things moving forward.

Define and document your responsibilities early. Use a tool like Notion or a Google Doc to outline who’s leading which areas (e.g., product, sales, fundraising). Revisit this regularly as the company evolves.

My Two Pesewas

You don’t have to agree on everything, but you do need to trust and respect each other enough to work through disagreements. If you’re already struggling to communicate openly or resolve conflicts, that’s a red flag.

If you found this advice helpful, be sure to share this newsletter with other emerging founders in your network. Together, we can change the narrative and unlock the full potential of African innovation.

That's all for today. As always, thank you for being an engaged reader. Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I’d love to hear your experiences or tips on navigating tough decisions in leadership.

Until next time,

Jasiel

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