The opinions expressed by (*12*) authors are their own.
Hello, I’m here Dimafounder PitchBobAI co-pilot for entrepreneurs. And yes, I am a solo founder. Worse still (or so they say), I’m a business-oriented founder, not a technical one. Some may argue that this is a dead end. And to some extent they might be right. But only to a certain extent.
Carta recently published a study that confirms this 24% co-founders of start-ups founded by two people do not last more than 4 years. In other words, one in 4 startups with co-founders turns into a startup run by an independent founder inside 4 years. “Wow,” I thought. “Wow,” investors must have thought, especially those that poured their money into a “dream team” of co-founders, only to ultimately be led by a sole founder.
PitchBob is not my first startup. I have experienced each successes and quite a few failures, all with my co-founders by my side.
Some of you could even be considering this alternative, feeling the pressure of experts, investors, mentors and the so-called industry norms that insist that startups have co-founders.
I’m not here to discourage and argue. Starting a business on your own is not for everyone. Instead, I want to focus on the advantages of starting a solo business – the reasons I selected this path. Who knows, perhaps I’ll hire a technical co-founder in the future, but for now, the pros outweigh the potential cons.
1. Conflict-free leadership
Conflicts between co-founders are the commonest explanation for startup failure. While solo founders face risks corresponding to burnout, illness, or unexpected circumstances, the structure is inherently more stable. Why? Because there is no risk of falling apart due to disagreements over strategy, priorities or personal differences.
When you run a startup alone, you have the final say in every decision. This transparency might be a significant advantage in the uncertain and often chaotic world of startups.
2. Ego management and recognition
Let’s be honest – entrepreneurs often thrive on recognition. Splitting the capital could also be easy, but sharing the highlight is a different story. Like the frontman of a band, a leader often gets the glory. If co-founders are equally driven by the need for recognition, this could lead to friction.
As an independent founder, I don’t have to face these challenges. Every success of the company is a direct reflection of my leadership. This dynamic eliminates potential tensions around credit and recognition.
3. Full control
As an independent founder, I enjoy the freedom to make decisions without the need for consensus. This autonomy allows me to act quickly and decisively, which is extremely vital in the dynamically changing world of startups.
I set the vision, define the strategy and make essential adjustments, without compromise resulting from differing opinions. It is not about rejecting cooperation, but about maintaining transparency in implementation.
4. Financial independence
Solo founders retain full ownership of their company. I don’t have to share shares, revenue or control with one other founder. This simplifies financial planning and gives me full power over the company’s financial decisions.
Investors also profit from a cleaner equity structure. There is no risk of misunderstandings on financial matters between co-founders, making the company’s financial strategy more transparent.
5. Team building
Building a team as a solo founder means I can hire individuals who truly align with my values and vision. There is no need to compromise on hiring decisions because of the co-founders’ conflicting priorities.
This autonomy extends to shaping organizational culture. I can create an environment that reflects my principles and aspirations without diluting it to accommodate one other founder’s perspective.
6. Personal development
Being a solo founder is an intense growth experience. Challenges force you to develop resilience, adaptability and leadership skills. It’s not only about running a business – it’s about personal development.
There is no one to share the burden, but there is also no one to share the triumphs. This unique responsibility drives unparalleled growth.
7. Improved decision making
Without a co-founder, the means of developing and implementing ideas is faster. There is no need for infinite discussions and compromises. By creating PitchBob, I was able to focus entirely on preparing the MVP without having to adapt to another person’s vision or timeline.
Improved decision-making can make a huge difference in a competitive market where speed is crucial.
8. Limited bureaucracy
Starting a business on your own simplifies operations. There are fewer meetings, less paperwork, and no co-founder agreements to manage. The administrative overhead is much lower, allowing me to spend more time on the core tasks of building my business.
This lack of bureaucracy also means greater flexibility. Changes might be implemented immediately, without long discussions and approvals.
9. A unified vision
One of the biggest strengths of solo founders is the ability to maintain a unified vision for the company. There is no risk of disagreements between co-founders or conflicting priorities.
This consistency reverberates throughout the organization, providing transparency to employees, investors and customers alike.
10. Motivation through responsibility
Knowing that the company’s success depends solely on me is each a challenge and a source of motivation. Every decision feels significant to me and every milestone is a testament to my efforts.
This level of responsibility motivates focus and determination. There is no one else to share blame or credit, which makes each step of the journey deeply meaningful.
11. Unique solutions
When all decisions are made by one person, a company’s strategy and solutions often seem more authentic and distinctive. As an independent founder, I have the freedom to pursue ideas that align with my unique vision without having to compromise with others.
12. Transparency of implementation
Self-assembly ensures unrivaled transparency of execution. Without competing opinions or priorities, every decision is aligned with company goals. This focus ensures that the company is moving in a consistent direction, without the risk that internal conflicts will derail progress.
Starting a solo business is not for everyone. The challenges are real and the path can sometimes feel isolating. However, for those that want independence, control and responsibility, it may be an effective way to build a business.