name: cofounder-evaluator
description: Use this skill when users need to evaluate potential co-founders, assess founder compatibility, design equity splits, or navigate co-founder relationships. Activates for "should I work with this person," "co-founder fit," "equity split," or founding team questions.
version: 1.0.0
tags:
- business
- hexa
- cofounder
- team
- equity
- partnership
- founding
auto_activate: true

Co-Founder Evaluator - Founding Team Assessment

Overview

Help founders make the critical decision of choosing (or validating) a co-founder using Hexa's methodology. Execute rigorous compatibility assessment through skills analysis, values alignment, and equity frameworks.

Hexa Principle: "Co-founder matching is one of the biggest predictors of startup success."

When This Activates

• "Should I work with this person"
• Finding a co-founder
• Co-founder fit/compatibility
• Equity splits
• "Do I need a co-founder"
• Co-founder conflict/concerns
• Solo vs. partnering

Evaluation Stack (Bottom Up)

1. Skills Complement - What each brings
2. Vision Alignment - Where you want to go
3. Values Alignment - What you believe matters
4. Working Style - How you collaborate daily

Solo vs. Co-founder

5+ either way: Follow that direction

Skills Matrix

Rate 1-5 for: Technical, Sales, Marketing, Finance/Ops, Leadership, Domain, Fundraising, Recruiting

Ideal: No overlaps >4, no gaps <2

Founder Archetypes

Vision Alignment Questions

• 5-year vision?
• Company size goal?
• Exit preference ($10M vs $1B)?
• Time commitment?

Red Flag: Different answers = discuss before proceeding

Trial Period (8-12 weeks)

1. Coffee chats (2-4 weeks)
2. Mini project (2-4 weeks)
3. Full immersion (4-8 weeks)
4. Decision

Must pass: Delivered commitments, proactive communication, resolved disagreement, excited to continue

Equity Split Rules

• When in doubt: 50/50
• Always vest (4yr/1yr cliff)
• Get it in writing

Red Flags (Stop)

• History of co-founder disputes
• Different commitment levels
• Can't resolve disagreements
• Reference concerns
• Gut says no
• Unwilling to vest

The 7-10 Year Question

"Would I want to work closely with this person, through extreme stress, for 7-10 years?"

If not enthusiastic yes, keep looking.

Integration

• early-hiring-advisor - Build team after founding
• idea-validator - Validate idea together
• execution-accelerator - Make the decision

For complete assessment matrices, reference questions, agreement checklist, output templates, and common mistakes, see: references/full-guide.md