YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

The best business founders recruit amazing technical co-founders, which is the number one distinction that sets them apart.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

The intersection of great business founders and those who can recruit amazing technical co-founders is rare, putting those who can do both in a special class.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

It's common for aspiring founders to dismiss the need for a technical co-founder, thinking they can manage without one, but this is a misguided approach.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Many aspiring founders believe they can succeed without a technical co-founder, but this mindset significantly reduces their chances of success.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

It's a shame that many aspiring founders waste their talent by not putting in the effort to find a great technical co-founder.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Many people underestimate the importance of having a technical co-founder, equating it to being able to build a rocket without knowledge of physics.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

If you're building a software company, not having a technical co-founder means you're not even in the game.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Great software companies are built by great software engineers, and this is a crucial truth that many business people overlook.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

The success of companies like DoorDash and Airbnb depended on their ability to rapidly ship software, which would not have been possible without strong technical leadership.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Relying on part-time consultants or development shops instead of having a dedicated technical co-founder can lead to failure.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

In other fields, like athletics, people are more realistic about their chances, unlike in startups where many believe they can succeed without the necessary skills.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Recruiting a technical co-founder is the most effective way to create value when starting a tech startup, even if you have some technical skills yourself.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Having a strong technical co-founder can make your startup unstoppable, especially if they are as committed and skilled as a top engineer.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

The quality of your engineering talent significantly impacts your startup's ability to pivot and respond to challenges, regardless of external factors like funding or office space.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Starting a company with a team of business people often leads to hiring lower-quality engineers, which compounds future hiring challenges.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

If you don't know any technical co-founders, consider working at a startup first to build connections and gain experience before launching your own company.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Visualize the best engineer you've worked with and consider reaching out to them as a potential co-founder, rather than assuming they wouldn't be interested.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

When pitching a potential co-founder, focus on collaboration and building the company together, rather than presenting them as an employee who will execute your ideas.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

12/01/23

@ Y Combinator

Successful non-technical founders often excel at recruiting by identifying the best talent and finding ways to work with them, which is a key pattern for success.

How To Build A Tech Startup With No Technical Skills

Takeaways