Do I need a technical co-founder?

The traditional advice was that every startup needs a technical co-founder, and that's increasingly outdated. Here's the nuanced reality:

For validation and early traction: You probably don't need one. AI tools let solo non-technical founders build surprisingly capable MVPs. Focus on finding customers and proving demand first. A co-founder you don't need can slow you down with equity negotiations and conflicting visions.

For scaling and complex features: Technical expertise becomes more important. AI-generated code works well for standard features but struggles with complex integrations, performance optimisation, and security hardening. At some point, you'll need technical depth.

The middle path: Many successful founders use contractors, fractional CTOs, or technical advisors instead of full co-founders. You might hire a developer to review your AI-generated code monthly, or bring on a technical lead as your first employee rather than a co-founder.

The worst mistake is bringing on a technical co-founder just because you think you should. Bad co-founder relationships sink more startups than technical challenges. Build something valuable first, then decide what kind of technical help you need.