Co-founder issues

[summit123]

We are two co-founders in an early stage startup. We recently raised seed capital and things have been moving pretty well. We designated titles as CEO (self) and VP, products (my partner) just before we took on the seed capital.

Recently, we haven't been able to agree on several key issues. What is the best practice in terms of resolving this in a tie-breaker scenario? Who makes the call?

We are equal partners in terms of equity stake in the company.

[Sportsfan12]

I think that you all should hire a consultant to get a third opinion or ask some one that you really respect as far as opinions on business.

[Lucas_gm]

I agree with Sportsfan12 and to give an advice it would be better if u can tell what kind of key issues are. Let me tell that human and societal conflicts are one of the four most common problems for entrepreneurs.

greetings.
Lucas.-

[summit123]

Issues mainly have been around future location of company (east coast or west coast) and fund-raising. The location choice effects choice of VCs to pitch to (since most west coast VCs push for companies to be based out of the bay area). There are several strategic reasons to be in the east coast (a large portion of the customer base, current strong foundation and pilot/beta sites etc.) but a larger VC community in the west coast.

As equal co-founders we've been pretty loose about boundaries in terms of responsibilities-- does that need to change? Or is this how most startups work?

Folks that I have spoken to come from two schools of thought: one which says that titles don't really mean much before we raise series A and the other that some amount of responsibilities (as defined by titles) makes sense.

I agree with Sportsfan12 and to give an advice it would be better if u can tell what kind of key issues are. Let me tell that human and societal conflicts are one of the four most common problems for entrepreneurs.

greetings.
Lucas.-

[Lucas_gm]

Lets see,
On one hand you've found potential customers on a location (east), and have detected an agglomeration of VC in another location (west)

They are separate issues but compatible
the business relies on customers and investors know it.

Some alternatives to work:
a) Analyze the business and potential clients in the West (where he found a community of VCs) If there is no opportunity to sell there, that's all.
VCs in one location doesn´t garantee you will get financial resources.

b) Analyze the potential VCs in the East (where u saw the are customers)

c) Analyze operate in both locations.

d) Analyze operate in the east and have a contact for Investors in Western

On responsibilities, such as plants should separate for now operational but not strategic. You together have to work on achive one solid business plan should agree on strategic issues.
greetings
Lucas.-