Co-Founder Readiness Checklist

Co-Founder Readiness Checklist

A must-have guide for anyone considering a co-founding partnership.

Most founders jump into a partnership because it feels exciting, urgent, or convenient. But the truth?

Co-founder relationships make or break companies.

This checklist is designed to help you slow down, ask the right questions, and build a partnership that lasts — not one that unravels under pressure.

Whether you're choosing your first co-founder, exploring a partnership, or wanting to avoid repeating past mistakes, this tool helps you:

✔ Get aligned fast

✔ Surface red flags early

✔ Strengthen communication

✔ Prevent misunderstandings

✔ Protect the relationship and the business

What’s inside

A simple but powerful checklist covering the 10 foundations of a strong co-founder partnership, from vision, roles, communication and values, through to risk appetite, money conversations, conflict repair, trust, and exit scenarios. It’s everything founders need to get aligned early and avoid the common pitfalls that break partnerships later.

Who this is for

• Founders exploring a co-founder partnership
• Solo founders feeling pressure to “bring someone in”
• Co-founders wanting to reset or strengthen their dynamic
• Investors or advisors wanting a tool for due diligence conversations

If you’re serious about building a business and protecting the relationship, this checklist will save you time, stress, and costly misalignment later.

About the creator

I’ve been a co-founder myself and know the highs, lows, and messy middle of building a business with someone else. After years in leadership, coaching, facilitation and dynamics, I now help founders get aligned, communicate better, and navigate the dynamics that matter most.

If you’re stepping into a co-founder partnership, or untangling a tricky one, this tool is a powerful place to start.