Molson Hart

Let’s talk the optimal number of cofounders. First, note that team is the greatest determinant of success, not idea or market, as it is the least changeable. Let’s start with 4+: As PG says, this is a strong signal that you have no idea what you’re doing.https://twitter.com/paulg/status/1213833006789615616 …

Usually a single person has an idea and is the driving force behind a new company idea. Each successive cofounder deducts from that drivers equity and may be annoying in other ways. You don’t add cofounders unless you need to, I.e. Jobs needed Wozniak because Jobs couldn’t code.

So, if this is the case why are solo founders not blessed by Y Combinator? The stated reason is psychology. It’s emotionally draining to start a company and having a first mate makes the lows less low and maybe even makes the highs less high (a good thing too).

There’s another reason that is much less talked about. Again, as I said, team is most important determinant of success. A team consisting of one Zuckerberg and 2 non-Zuckerbergs will make it. A team of 1, 2, or 3 Zucks won’t. The point is it’s an investor hedge. Add’l cofounders

Cynically, it is probably a wedge the VCs can use to claw more out. Divide and conquer, few partnerships will be solid enough that one doesn't eventually defect.