Hot take: please don't join a pre-PMF startup Hi all, I got inspired on the topic by Gagan Biyani's (Cofounder of Maven & Udemy) recent post—it is a read worth your time! (will add links in the comments due to r/startups' policy) I wanted to share my perspective on the question since I wish I had read this back when I was making pivotal career choices. I have nothing to sell, and I will speak my truth as if I were talking to a dear younger cousin. **My take is simple**: If you're smart-hardworking-ambitious, I beg you: never... 2 20 replies
How do co-founders meet? Hi everyone, I'm based in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been working in engineering (computer vision/robotics and AR/ VR) for about 10 years now. I've been thinking about starting something new and was curious to hear your thoughts on how people typically find co-founders. Are there specific platforms, events, or other ways you'd recommend? Thanks in advance! 1 20 replies
How would I go about finding technical co-founder? Looking at a solution for direct healthcare need. Currently, in market research phase and has a good idea of the need with a rough idea of a solution. I wanted understand how I would go about seeking a technical co-founder with helping with the software side. When should I formally look for one? And how do I go about it as in finding one and offering equity to? 5 5 replies
How can I create an SDR AI agent with Leadsnavi enrichment data? I’ve come to understand that one of the main things that the current LLMs excel at is language processing and I would like to capitalize on that to create an SDR and cold outreach AI agent. I’m still a little green on AI agent development but I have done some basic projects using LangChain and tried out a good number of no code development options. Ideally what I want is an AI agent that qualifies leads and sends out super personalized emails to the prospect. I have a number... 1 1 replies
STRUGGLING with Marketing — Any Wisdom to Share? Just venting here—marketing and getting people to discover my website and tool has been *so* challenging! 😅 As an engineer, building it was the easy part, but marketing? That’s a whole different game. My startup’s website is barely showing up on Google, and I’m struggling to figure out other ways to spread the word. Do you have any advice or strategies that have worked for you? I’d really appreciate it!! 1 13 replies
Having a hard time finding a sales-oriented cofounder for my platform. Unsure if the idea is bad, or if I just need to look harder. I am having a hard time finding a sales/marketing-oriented cofounder for my startup. My platform can be described as a LinkedIn for the visual art industry. Self-promotion and "getting discovered" is one of the most common topics on subs like r(slash)artbusiness, so it seems like artists and galleries have an actual problem that needs to be solved. **I want to know if sales-cofounder-types are turned off by the product (and why), or if it's a solid product that is headed in the right direction, and I just need to work harder... 1 13 replies
An I am Employee or a Partner? (Co-Founder) I co-founded a business several months ago with one other co-founder. He's the CEO and invested all of the capital. At the beginning of the company I signed an employment agreement that outlined my job title (CTO) and my yearly salary. I also have significant equity that vests over time. However, he states since I am a cofounder that I am technically a partner, and as long as he stops paying employment taxes and gives me my salary without anything withheld that I would then be considered a partner.... 5 7 replies
How to ask questions about your product without violating self-promotion rules? I want to ask specific questions about my startup, but context is key, and I want to be able to explicitly state the name of (and link to) my webpage to give the community a concrete understanding of what I'm building. I'm hesitant to do so because I'm worried that I'll have my post removed due to the "I will not promote" rule. I have seen people try to work around this anti-promotion rule by creating generic posts on this sub and then linking to their website in the... 1 5 replies
Do founders need therapists and coaches who understand their challenges? Hi everyone! I wanted to share something that might resonate with many of you. A friend of mine is conducting *customer development interviews* with startup founders and small business owners for a project: **a mental health service explicitly tailored for founders.** We all know how challenging the entrepreneurial journey can be—burnout, anxiety, unstable self-esteem, insomnia, and decision fatigue are every day and shared struggles. Often, general therapists and coaches don't fully understand founders' unique pressures, and support from loved ones can sometimes fall short. Having experienced some of these... 1 9 replies
Where Do Bottlenecks Typically Arise in a Tech Company? Recognizing Patterns and Recurring Issues When running or working in a tech company, bottlenecks seem almost inevitable. Whether it’s delays in development, scaling challenges, or decision-making logjams, they can slow progress and cause frustration. I’m curious: Where have you seen bottlenecks most frequently occur in your experience? For example: • Are they more common in technical processes (e.g., code reviews, deployments)? • In organizational dynamics (e.g., communication gaps, leadership delays)? • Or in external dependencies (e.g., reliance on third-party providers or market shifts)? Have you noticed recurring issues or specific patterns over time? If... 4 2 replies
What’s everyone up to in 2025? What are you guys working on? We’re working on a Web Design service that builds websites for donations, it’s been pretty fun, but we’ve had our share of ups and downs. I’m excited to hear about your ideas and experience so far!! I hope you’re all having an awesome day! 5 20 replies
Uncertain on my start-up idea. Please can you challenge it. Hey Team, I’ve found my confidence wavering recently on my business idea. It’s likely because I’ve been thinking about it too long and now need to execute but would love some reassurance / to be challenged so I can validate it in my own head. I want the product of the business to be premium pop-up events, short term experiences in high-demand prime locations. An example and my first endeavour: Pop-up Padel courts across London. The courts would be erected for a month, operating 12-hrs a day. Booking slots... 1 9 replies
Full stack developer available Hello everyone! I'm a seasoned software engineer based in Belgium with extensive experience working in dynamic startup environments. I thrive on building innovative solutions, scaling products, and driving technical excellence. I'm currently exploring new opportunities and would love to connect with companies or teams 😊 My profile: I excel at quickly integrating into new teams, showcasing both adaptability and efficiency. Beyond my technical expertise, I bring a sharp understanding of business requirements, enabling me to align development efforts with organizational goals. Additionally, I have a strong aptitude for resolving... 4 7 replies
Is “Unemployed” Just Another Way of Saying “Founder”? I’ve noticed a growing trend of people jokingly referring to themselves as “unemployed” when they’re actually founders working on their startups. How do you see this? Is it just a funny way to cope with the uncertainty, or does it reflect the reality of early-stage founders not drawing a salary? Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’re a founder yourself! 4 20 replies
[Hiring/Seeking/Offering] Jobs / Co-Founders Weekly Thread # [Hiring/Seeking/Offering] Jobs / Co-Founders Weekly Thread This is an experiment. We see there is a demand from the community to: * Find Co-Founders * Hiring / Seeking Jobs * Offering Your Skillset / Looking for Talent # Please use the following template: * \*\*\[SEEKING / HIRING / OFFERING\]\*\* (Choose one) * \*\*\[COFOUNDER / JOB / OFFER\]\*\* (Choose one) * Company Name: (Optional) * Pitch: * Preferred Contact Method(s): * Link: (Optional) ## All Other Subreddit Rules Still Apply We understand there will be mild self promotion involved with... 3 13 replies
Really tired of this persistent startup myth This week I came across yet another "recommended for you" LinkedIn post with thousands of thumbs up from an influencer with a massive following sharing entrepreneurial advice, including the point, “And always remember, startups don't fail because they run out of cash!” Virtually all research on startup failures points to cash flow issues as one of the top two reasons businesses don't make it. This isn't a matter of opinion—it's well-documented data. Just google the Statista reports called "Main reasons for business failure among start-ups worldwide". Every year they... 14 0 replies
Do I go down the AI route? Help needed! I am setting up my own consultancy in 2025, the first of its kind, and was told by an advisor on my board that I should offer a customised AI agent to the highest paying clients in my sector to give them 24/7 support. But now I am thinking, would it be easier to simply create an AI tool to do the work then completely and I charge a rolling subscription fee? While I love this idea and 2025 is the YEAR for AI as I'm being told, I... 3 1 replies
Downsides to incorporating in US? we are considering incorporating in the states.. So far we have only seen good things about incorporating in the states. It seems fast and easy. And if the words on Reddit can be trusted, it helps in raising funds too. Most importantly we probably need to incorporate in multiple countries as we are b2c and would have users around the globe. But what are the downsides? Not that we are pessimistic but every business decision needs to be taken after considering both pros and cons. How much efforts do... 5 2 replies
Admin and ops Hey there! I’m very interested in an extra gig and I keep finding myself drawn to startups. The problem is that I’m not a coder or programmer and my business savvy is maybe average. But, what I do have is admin, ops, and process skills. I will organize and prioritize all day. Is there a place for me and my puzzle solving brain? 2 0 replies
What’s your prediction for 2025? What do you think will be the big startup theme to take off in 2025? Could it be AI-driven solutions, advancements in health tech, climate-focused innovation, or something entirely unexpected? I’d love to hear your thoughts on which industries or trends are most likely to gain momentum in the coming year. 5 1 replies
