Solo Founders Cannot Find a Developer to Build With Them
Early-stage startup founders are experiencing significant difficulty in building meaningful relationships and finding collaborators. This extends to finding co-founders with specific skill sets, and often involves a feeling of isolation despite access to abundant online resources. The core issue is a lack of genuine connection and support within the startup ecosystem.
SOURCES (60)
“Where do i connect with non technical founders who are good at sales to pitch them my product? Product (actually multiple) already built and live, users flowing, i just suck at networking. Also located in Europe so that doesn't help. Basically looking for advice where…”
“I’m Eddum, a gaming community manager and content creator looking to work with a small indie studio and help build its community from the ground up. I’m looking for a project where I can take an active role, and build a portfolio with the studio. I’m open to working with an early stage startup even without initial payment, provided there is a clear opportunity to build something together. I’m also open to revenue share or transitioning into a full tenure as the project develops. I’m particularly”
“Oh yes. I went to a lot of conventions and met a lot of people who've helped me on my journey, but I know many people who relied on cold outreach only, without any actual connections, and could never really build their name until they started networking properly. Do it early; it accumulates fast.”
“How’s the reception of the prototype been? I know others will recommend Codex or Claude Code, but if you don’t have a strong foundation in software architecture, you are going to run into scaling and stability issues at the worst possible time: when you start getting significant adoption. But if your prototype is well-received and you have a strong business plan, then finding a tech cofounder I think is still your best bet. I’ve tried hiring freelancers and firms, but to be honest, they’re expen”
“ofc!! i started following startup founders on linkedin and used their strategies for organic social & ucg on my own account!!! i found what works best for me is that the format is wayyy more important than the subject. so find a format that already does well on your niche and repeat it aggressively. for me thats before & afters. i kept trying different specific examples and when one hit 5K or 10K i kept reposting that exact format and just changed out 1-2 clips every day all week.”
“I’ve built a working prototype of a web app using AI, but I don’t have enough experience in web development, programming, or cybersecurity to confidently turn it into a secure, production-ready product. For founders who faced a similar gap, how did you solve it? Did you hire freelancers, find a technical cofounder, lean on friends, or use another approach? submitted by /u/FluidAd3314 [link] [comments]”
“hi , i and my friend varun, we are serial builder , currently trying to work in the area of robotics,worlds model and robotics deployment and observability and monitortingbut we are kind of lack courage to start , and obv need someone , so that we all can get into yc , anyone pumped up for this ? i will share more details for anyone interested and feel free to ask questionswe are also exploring ideas also like automated labs like closing the chain between the ai models and physical experiments”
“Hi everyone, I’m looking for Bubble development work and would love to help with new projects, ongoing builds, or app improvements. I have experience working with Bubble and enjoy building clean, reliable web apps. I’m…”
“Hello Makers! I am a UK-based non-technical founder building an AI-driven workforce technology platform that decodes everyday work tasks into transferable skills to help career switchers break into growth sectors. I am…”
“Hey, I'm a developer from India. I've been building projects on my own for a while, but honestly I'm getting a bit tired of doing everything alone. I'm looking to meet a couple of people who also like building things and maybe work together on different ideas. Nothing super formal. No "we need to build the next billion dollar startup" stuff 😅 More like: see a problem → talk about it → build a small version → put it in front of people → see if anyone cares. I'd like”
“The thing is that most of the people on LinkedIn or on any platform are more self-centred, and they will not say yes to using your tool or product unless they see their benefit in it. So I would say instead of pitching them directly, do this: Try to understand if your tool is even useful to them: ask them hey is technical ticketing something you struggle with and try to understand specifics. Once they feel like the right customer, you can offer them a free strategy call to discuss solutions. On”
“A platform Where people post their side projects, and find actual collaboratiors/co-founders to build them with. It has different topics, and a keyword finder so that people who have interest on becoming one collaborators would find their pique of their interest. Not some ai shi or but more of a git or business models makers.”
“Hey everyone! I’m 23F and currently looking for an opportunity to work with a startup, small business, or even an individual who is building something interesting and needs someone willing to genuinely contribute. Honestly, I don’t think I’m made for the typical 9–5 corporate life or the MNC environment. I would much rather work in a place where I can learn, experiment, take responsibility, share ideas, and actually see the impact of the work I’m doing. I’m open to exploring different roles and”
“Over 10 years ago, my therapist wife noticed how many of her clients struggled to build non-romantic, in-person friendships. That inspired me to create WannaBuddy : a simple platform for finding local friends when you want a buddy, not a date. While the original site helped a lot of people connect, it was long overdue for a modern refresh. The brand-new WannaBuddy is now live in early pre-launch! * 100% Free to use * Designed purely for local, platonic friendships * Built with a clean new interf”
“I am planning to go to a couple this year and have some detailed questions. Can I dm you pls?”
“Whichever c ity you live in or are closest to, find a couple of founder meetups (there is always plenty) and just immerse yourself in those for a while. When you're there, mingle, ask them questions, find out how different people decided to try their first venture and what issues they encountered, whether they'd still make the same decisions and so on. You get a good feeling of the kind of mindset people tend to have and what made up their minds for them to give it a go. No need to go to”
“I’m looking for a small group of people who are actively trying to build something, a business, product, app, side project, service, or even an idea you’re seriously trying to get off the ground. I’m piloting RESORSA.ai , a platform built to help builders figure out what they actually know, what they’re assuming, what needs to be validated, and what they should work on next. This isn’t a “click around for 5 minutes and tell me if you like the UI” beta. I want you to bring a real project . RESORS”
“if youre looking for a cofounder here, be upfront about equity split expectations and how far along the project is. saves everyone a lot of back and forth”
“With all the recent layoffs, I wanted to share this in case it’s of interest to anyone here. I host a cofounder matching event series in NY, SF, and LA, and a lot of the founders who’ve joined are actively looking for cofounders with technical, product, or GTM backgrounds, especially technical. If you have one of those skill sets and have ever thought about joining an early stage startup or building something from scratch, lmk and I’ll send you link to the event! There’s no pressure to join anyo”
“Hi all, I need a cofounder ideally specialising in organic marketing using social media such as TikTok and Facebook to grow pages. They must be able to grow a social media page quickly or already have an existing page. My software product has been built and fills a niche market gap however organic marketing has never been my strong suit, business model is b2c. Equity is obviously in the table on the condition the business actually begins to start generating revenue. I’ve failed in saas many time”
“Please lead with either SEEKING WORK or SEEKING FREELANCER, your location, and whether remote work is a possibility.Please only post if you are looking to hire a freelancer or work as one. Small (2-5 person) agencies are fine, but recruiters, job boards, and so on, are off topic here.”
“[SEEKING] [JOB] Pitch: Hey everyone! Fullstack dev based in Cyprus (EU timezone) here, currently looking to join an early-stage startup - contract or part-time to start. I've spent the last 2 years freelancing, building turnkey sites and web apps for 20+ clients, from local businesses to SaaS projects. Comfortable with Next.js, TypeScript/JavaScript, React, Tailwind CSS, PostgreSQL with Prisma, and experienced with AI, API, and payment integrations, as well as RAG chatbots. Right now, I'”
“Feedback Requests(including surveys/polls) and Support Requests (hiring, etc) belong in our Weekly Feedback and Support Thread. You are invited to repost each week. You are encouraged to give to others in the thread if you expect to take from the community.”
“Who I am: Full-stack developer & creator of Demand Deal What I do: I am bulding a reverse marketplace platform (demand-deal.lovable.app) where buyers post requests and vendors compete with bids. Looking for early users, feedback, and collaborators interested in testing or scaling the platform. How to reach me: Drop a message here or connect session ID 05e27f24fd178db3347a9b741aee6a45673be44d25786a52307a9499ba52fd6454”
“Hi, I have been following reddit for some times. I build my own SaaS and also looking for some job for regular payment. Here is what I noticed: If you have a product or an idea for an product, and if you want someone to join at EQUITY ONLY, It will bound to fail!! Here is why I thought-- You have a product idea, I will build you the product, but early traction might take over a year Meanwhile I have to pay bills meanwhile, you might thing it failed and close the shop, so I get nothing paid And,”
“What's your recommendation for community platform? I hate Slack, Discord, Discourse and Circle.”
“Finding a sales partner as a technical founder can be tricky. Networking in startup communities or industry-specific events often helps. Look for someone who complements your skills and shares your vision. Structuring the partnership fairly is key-consider a mix of equity and commission to align incentives. It's also worth exploring platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential partners who have a proven sales track record.”
I want a partner with whom I can start my journey in the world of freelancing.I am ready to do the technical part ,while you have to look for the local business…
“Hello y'all I am new here. I would like to know if there is a marketplace for something that I am trying to build or I from deep trenches of my heart I wanted it to succeed. Please be cordial. I am thinking about a marketplace/contractor website for the developers/agents. I want a marketplace where people can post contracts. for an example one would put the contract for designing a backend of a system. and they are willing to put 2000 usd/ x amount of token for it. Now this contract itself can b”
hey am around ur age wanna build career in entrepreneurship lets connect
“I think the biggest thing is finding someone who complements you, not just someone who’s generally smart or motivated. If you’re strongest at coming up with ideas and solving the bigger problems, having a partner who genuinely enjoys execution and the day-to-day work could be a great fit. I’d also be curious to see how you narrow the dozen ideas down to one. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding a good idea, but finding the one both partners are willing to stick with when the exciting part we”
“[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 promotio”
“Not sure if this is the right place but I’m a senior dev with 6 yoe and I have a friend who’s a finance analyst graduated in mechanical engineering. We are willing to pay the price and start something with a 3rd co-founder who is good at sales and potentially marketing too and can prove it. We don’t have an idea set in stone but we are willing to build something that already exists but better, cheaper, etc. We mainly worked on construction and renewable energy industries. That 3rd cofounder woul”
“hey, I am the founder of PublishYourSaaS, and looking for furthur opportunities. let's discuss”
I'm in a similar boat and am seriously considering starting a company with my husband. I am looking to connect with other women founders to chat and share experiences. DM me if…
Working on a startup idea and now looking for a team that can turn it into a proper MVP. I don’t need a huge agency, just someone who understands early-stage products and…
“Hey everyone, I’m looking to join an early-stage startup as a Founding Engineer, early engineering hire, or Technical Co-Founder. I’m not really looking for a traditional job. I’m looking for a founder and a problem I genuinely believe in — someone who is obsessed with solving a real problem and wants a technical partner who can help turn the idea into a real product. What I enjoy building I like 0 → 1 ownership. I’d much rather take something from: Idea → MVP → Production → Users than simply pi”
“I just replied to a post from someone asking for ideas. If the two of you were smart, you'd get together and stop bothering everyone else.”
“I need a co-founder for my startup submitted by /u/Responsible_Pass8663 [link] [comments]”
“Hey there. Thanks for reaching out. I accept your suggestion. I think brainstorming together could be helpful, let me know how you want to do this”
“I'm an ex CEO. I am semi retired now but I'd like to partner with someone and start working on something new. I specialize in rudimentary, problem solving type inventions and optimized business start ups. I have been called a visionary. I have some elite skills but I am not great at the day to day grind and dealing with petty tasks. I have over a dozen invention concepts and business start up ideas that I have saved over the years, that I am now ready to get going but I know I work best”
“They have changed a lot. I started as a 1 man show and grew into a few people then a few more then eventually into a multi layer leadership team. So priorities have changed a lot more than I have time to describe here. To sum it up in 1 sentence; I went from trying to make myself successful to now trying to make my team successful. Right now the biggest challenge is to scale what we have. Currently we are a market leader in our niche and growing beyond that is a challenge because the pie is only”
“Joined! Even if it ends up being a brainstorming session - I’m starved for other small business people to talk to. Seems like an odd middle ground between micro and corporate. Not enough momentum for a proper association but general networking isn’t what I’m after.”
“What is the ultimate goal of these posts? Not trying to be offensive but rather seeking to understand. For instance, let's say you are Bill Gates and wanted to share knowledge with new founders, don't you think running an interactive live Q&A would be better than endless text posts here? You could get verified by Mods for credibility first and then people would understand you have the experience. Don't you think that would help you help those who you want to help faster: verifica”
“I’m looking for a partner who can help me scale my local SEO business. I’ve been doing this for 2+ years and have the systems and team in place. The problem is we’re currently taking things one client at a time. I know we can handle 4–5+ new clients a month and build 10–20+ retainers. I’m looking for someone who can invest and help me take this from a small operation to something much bigger. If anyone wants to discuss it, I’m open to a conversation and can share my whole plan. submitted b”
“I'm european, and I've been trying to apply for start-ups on yc. I have a new grad job at AWS, maybe after two years I'll check again”
“Networking is a natural part of being an entrepreneur, founder, or basically any type of professional where you can't simply apply for jobs and just get one. So it's an ongoing process. You need to widen and maintain your network all the time. So there is no time when you should start it, because you either should already be doing it the moment that you think that you might need it, or you will be doing a cold outreach. Nothing screams "stay away from this person" more than som”
“So.... I think you were misled about what "networking" actually means. Networking is not collecting a bunch of strangers business cards, that you decide to tap at some point in the future. A real network is made up of genuine friends, family, and ex-co-workers. My friends from college clubs were all people I was friends with. Life long friends. People that have had my back for over a decade now, and I've had theres. Not because we're part of some weird "network", but”
“Hey everyone, I’m building a new platform for digital freelancers and I’m looking for a few experienced specialists to test the freelancer side before we open it further. I’m specifically looking for people working in SEO, PPC / Google Ads, digital marketing, web development or AI automation. I’d like you to spend around 10 minutes exploring the platform, creating a profile and using it as you normally would. I’m mainly interested in honest feedback: what feels confusing, what you dislike, what”