Co-Founder

A co-founder is an individual or small group of people who jointly found and launch an enterprise by providing necessary resources such as finance, resources, and a framework.

A co-founder is someone who takes an idea for a startup and helps develop and push it forward towards success. Co-founders have a variety of roles in a startup such as providing financial backing, legal counsel, and creative input. A co-founder isn't a hired or contracted person and usually have an equal share of the business. They also provide financial resources, advice, and guidance. They share a common vision with the startup’s other founders and take responsibility for managing certain aspects of the business.

The role of a co-founder often requires a deep understanding of the industry, markets, and processes required to run a business successfully. A co-founder’s involvement in the venture is different from that of an advisor or an investor, and generally requires an active and long-term commitment to the venture, such as a minimum number of hours worked in the venture each week.

A great example of two co-founders working together is Bill Gates and Paul Allen of Microsoft. In 1975, they merged their ideas and visions to create the technology giant. Gates provided the technical knowledge, while Allen focussed more on the business side of Microsoft, including strategic partnerships and marketing initiatives. Together, they drove the vision and growth of the company and revolutionised the way the world used computers and technology.