Co-founders moving on is an interesting topic that I’ve changed my mind on a bit over time.
Looking at AIM-incubated organisations there were a few initially that kept the same two co-founders for a long while. But more recently there has been more diversity of routes:
Organisations doing really well with only one founder from the start
A bunch where where one founder left around the 2 year mark and it seems like the right decision for the org. (By then you’ve built something that exists a bit beyond the two of you and having one organisational leader building an exec team around them could make more sense. )
I think that generally has pushed me (and I think others at AIM) to think that two co-founders staying for the long haul isn’t always the ideal to strive for. As I understand it, AIM’s messaging in the incubation program at the moment has shifted a bit to accommodate that.
Some other things to note:
There can certainly be cases where a co-founder leaves because of conflict, or especially early on, or it might not have been ideal timing for the organisation
There have been organisations initially in category 1 and 2 that then did bring a second person into the exec team who is co-executive again, and
I think more traditional wisdom in other sectors can often be that they’d love to see founders really be driven by their commitment to this project and stick it out for a long time.
I think that didn’t directly answer your question but hope that helped!
Thanks for your answer! It is really useful to know your opinion, the more real world cases we can base our decisions on the better for everyone. And you are right, the long-haul is not always the ideal.
Im really happy you found what is best for your org and that you can continue your great work!
Thanks Verónica!
Co-founders moving on is an interesting topic that I’ve changed my mind on a bit over time.
Looking at AIM-incubated organisations there were a few initially that kept the same two co-founders for a long while. But more recently there has been more diversity of routes:
Organisations doing really well with only one founder from the start
A bunch where where one founder left around the 2 year mark and it seems like the right decision for the org. (By then you’ve built something that exists a bit beyond the two of you and having one organisational leader building an exec team around them could make more sense. )
I think that generally has pushed me (and I think others at AIM) to think that two co-founders staying for the long haul isn’t always the ideal to strive for. As I understand it, AIM’s messaging in the incubation program at the moment has shifted a bit to accommodate that.
Some other things to note:
There can certainly be cases where a co-founder leaves because of conflict, or especially early on, or it might not have been ideal timing for the organisation
There have been organisations initially in category 1 and 2 that then did bring a second person into the exec team who is co-executive again, and
I think more traditional wisdom in other sectors can often be that they’d love to see founders really be driven by their commitment to this project and stick it out for a long time.
I think that didn’t directly answer your question but hope that helped!
Hi Habiba,
Thanks for your answer! It is really useful to know your opinion, the more real world cases we can base our decisions on the better for everyone. And you are right, the long-haul is not always the ideal.
Im really happy you found what is best for your org and that you can continue your great work!