As a company grows, it's crucial to find people who share your values, as the small decisions they make can significantly impact success or failure.

It's important to know a potential co-founder's goals and values for starting a company to avoid conflicting motivations that could hinder the startup's success. If your co-founder prefers a slow and steady approach while you aim to take the company public and are willing to take risks, those differing motivations can lead to inevitable conflict. It's crucial to have a conversation about your goals and values to ensure alignment.

It's important to find a co-founder with complementary skills but the same moral compass, as this balance was key to the success of Y Combinator.

The journey of building a startup often involves personal growth, and founders need to ensure they create a work culture that aligns with their values to avoid burnout.

It's important to have co-founders who cover different skill sets and trust each other, as this foundation is crucial for navigating the challenges of building a startup.

The team you build initially is the company you build; it's crucial to have the right values aligned with your team and investors.

When fundraising, it's crucial to find partners who align with your values and vision, as the relationship is akin to a marriage that requires mutual understanding and trust.

It's crucial to align on high-level goals with your co-founder; differing motivations can lead to friction and relationship breakdowns.

It's important to have trusted people to talk to about challenges in your startup journey, rather than feeling isolated in your struggles.