If you’re a business owner looking for a technical partner, you’re not alone. There’s a whole group of people like you, searching for someone who can code or build a product.
On the flip side, many technical experts are also searching for business folks. They have the skills but need someone to help with business strategy, marketing, and sales.
When these two groups find each other, it’s usually a win-win. You get the technical skills you need, and they get the business know-how they lack.
But finding the right match isn’t easy. You both need to agree on the vision, how hard you’ll work, and what you expect from each other. Trust is also key because you’ll share both responsibilities and profits.
You can meet potential partners at startup events, online forums, or through networking.
The goal is to find a balanced partnership. That way, both the technical and business sides are covered, increasing the chances of success for your venture.
Regardless of whether you’re selling to a client, pitching to an investor, looking for employees or a partner, the approach is fairly similar and this requires 3 things:
1. List Down the Qualities and Skills That You’re Looking For
Define a complete and detailed list of the most important skills and qualities of the person you’re looking for.
In the “technical co-founder” context, you’re looking for someone on-site or remotely, possessing skills in a particular technology, platform, programming language or so, being potentially interested in your business idea.
2. Find Out Where Your Prospects Hang Out
Once you have defined the type of person, find out where they hang out.
What conferences do they attend? Do they go to some community or networking events, meetup groups, or hackathons (in the technical context)? Do they work in large corps or co-working spaces?
What sites do they use online? Are they forum people, or Slack? Do they spend time on Quora or somewhere else?
3) Sell
Once you know who are you looking for and where you can find them: SELL.
Even if you find “the right fit”, you have to pitch them the idea in an inspiring way that can move them. Technical people are often excited about large projects, challenging algorithms, growing systems, and solving coding dilemmas.
Some are egocentric, others are shy. Some are interested in business growth and management, others are mostly looking for business problems to solve and tasks to work on.
4) Establish Clear Roles and Expectations
Before entering into a partnership, it’s crucial to define and agree on each person’s roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
Establishing clear boundaries and deliverables helps prevent misunderstandings and conflicts later on. This includes agreeing on decision-making processes, conflict resolution strategies, and the division of equity or profits.
Creating a formal agreement or partnership contract can solidify these terms and provide a reference point for both parties.
5) Build a Strong Foundation of Communication and Collaboration
Successful partnerships are built on strong communication and collaboration. Regular check-ins, transparent conversations, and feedback loops help maintain alignment and address issues proactively. Invest time in developing a strong working relationship and understanding each other’s working styles and preferences.
Brainstorming on the 123-list above would help you to narrow down your list, find the right talent, and convince them.
