Where to find a partner or two

[Novorfay]

Hi.

I am a software developer & manufacturing operations Specialist. I want to develop a solution to a professional standard that I've already built inhouse. Mix of software and hardware. While I'm capable of developing it alone - I don't think making all design decisions and then not having time to modify and update when it's time to sell is a hot idea.

I've enough funding to cover hardware, licensing, and legal costs for the first 3 years.

Where can I look for a partner or two? Their benefit is a % stake in the company. Again, I'm not looking for others to do the work for me - but to co-develop.

I don't work for a software firm so I don't have a network of local developers I can pitch to. Online there seems to be way too many people looking for a super-duper-hyper turn around with mega revenues.

Any ideas?

 

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[SteveO]

Read this thread for starters.

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/jangafx-journey-from-an-8-figure-valuation-to-a-billion.73281/

Perhaps @Ravens_Shadow will chime in with some advice.

 

[Ravens_Shadow]

I started my company alone and built first prototypes myself. When I was established enough i checked out programming servers on discord and reached out to people who were doing really great work. From there I found almost every developer I have on my team. Most joined for equity and no pay at first. However, they were only part time and worked maybe 10 hours a week. You don't want to run new people on your team into the ground and expect them to work full-time with no pay. They aren't you, the founder.

 

[dauntless]

I have partnered with several people I've met at MIT's 2020 Reality Hack Hackathon. I know that it's not feasible during these times to meet large groups of people in one space but it was incredibly easy to get to know people who share the same interests as me and everyone was super friendly.
So, I'd suggest joining a Hackathon (normally takes 2-5 days) and the value you get from networking aloe is immense. I think that's an easy way to "Read" people and who knows, you might as well find the right person or people to partner up with.

EDIT: it might not be entirely related to what you do (it's more Virtual Reality and immersive media apps) but everyone I met come from different backgrounds, NASA engineers, Harvard lawyers, MIT geniuses, etc... take a look, you might want to apply: MIT Reality Hack | Augmented & Virtual Reality Hackathon

 

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[SteveO]

I started my company alone and built first prototypes myself. When I was established enough i checked out programming servers on discord and reached out to people who were doing really great work. From there I found almost every developer I have on my team. Most joined for equity and no pay at first. However, they were only part time and worked maybe 10 hours a week. You don't want to run new people on your team into the ground and expect them to work full-time with no pay. They aren't you, the founder.

Thanks for responding. Looks like this guy posted and ghosted.

 

[Novorfay]

I started my company alone and built first prototypes myself. When I was established enough i checked out programming servers on discord and reached out to people who were doing really great work. From there I found almost every developer I have on my team. Most joined for equity and no pay at first. However, they were only part time and worked maybe 10 hours a week. You don't want to run new people on your team into the ground and expect them to work full-time with no pay. They aren't you, the founder.

Thank you for the response.

To all the people who responded actually.

@SteveO I didn't ghost. I don't check every day.

While a hackathon isn't quite up the same ally, I get the point. The part about not expecting non-founders to sink a copious amount of time into a project is also fair. I've been looking for four months now, and I've yet to find the unicorn I suppose I am looking for. I think I've accepted that I'll need to build the Alpha alone, and while that will give me difficulties when I start selling the product and need help to modify/update as it's picking up steam - that's a problem I'll deal with when I get there.

I would say this can be considered answered, and again, cheers for taking the time to respond.