By Fernando Berrocal

If you've created an innovative product or service but need assistance with the processes of sales and marketing to convert it into a business, you will need help in that area shortly. The appropriate Non-Technical Co-Founder may help your startup develop from an outstanding app to global success.

When do you need to Find a Sales and Marketing Co-Founder?

Non-technical co-founders can always help entrepreneurs with their startup growth, especially if you don't have enough business skills and only want to focus on the development of the product, or if you want to get things done as quickly as possible. If you Google search the phrase: "Should I hire a Sales and Marketing Co-Founder" then you'll discover a slew of articles showing how a solitary developer made it without one, with the implication that, in the long run, you don't need one.

Yes, you may not require a business-minded non-technical co-founder for your business to succeed, but it's worth considering whether the skills they bring can be very beneficial to you; no matter how talented you might be, having someone else on board with you will always make things simpler. You'll have to assemble a squad at some time.

There are several factors to examine that will help you determine how useful this type of professional would be to you:

Think about your abilities:  If you don't have the requisite knowledge to manage the team yourself, you'll need some business development assistance, whether you can locate someone you trust or not. Business abilities may be taught, but they take a lot of time and work and are unlikely to equal those of a seasoned veteran. A non-technical co-founder, although a part-time adviser can help in these areas, offers a complete dedication to your business' goal from the start and is ready for regular contact as the startup grows.

Because the position is so diverse, you'd have to combine a wide range of responsibilities with software development if you didn't have a sales and marketing co-founder. Sales, marketing, planning, and fundraising are all part of this process. Trying to sell a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of your product is one approach to see if you have the necessary abilities to start your own business. Even if you have no prior sales experience, you might be able to stay afloat while bootstrapping early on if you can find consumers ready to pay for your product. If you're having problems selling your MVP or gaining traction, a non-technical co-founder might be able to diagnose the problem and help you fix it; they could advise shifting, building the appropriate contacts, identifying new markets, or finding an alternative solution.

Consider if you have the leadership and communication abilities to manage the entire business, or whether you would be comfortable being the business's sole representative when pitching investors or customers when deciding whether you can lead the team on your own. Investors are searching for a well-rounded team that has both technical and managerial skills. In negotiations and pitches, having someone who radiates enthusiasm and is a confident and powerful public speaker may make all the difference. Typically, the original creator has the greatest enthusiasm and is a terrific salesperson early on, but managing all that has to be done is nearly difficult. Furthermore, rather than supporting software development, investors are more typically interested in funding growth; growth comes from excellent sales and marketing activities. When you don't have past expertise with a business or in the sector you want to join, having a non-technical co-founder is also beneficial. They may be able to provide knowledge and connections to assist you in making decisions when you begin your business.

Think about where you want to put your attention: Even if you can run the company on your own, it might be time demanding when you're also in charge of development. You might want to devote all of your time and effort to developing a fantastic product while someone else handles the distribution. Only you can determine how time-consuming each part of operating your business will be, so don't overstretch yourself when it's not necessary. A non-technical cofounder might not only relieve you of these time limitations but also give you a partner with someone you can expand your ideas. This can help you perform better in your major area of emphasis, development because they can provide you with greater insight into the perspective of non-technical users and provide feedback on ideas that aren't working.

Consider your objectives: Consider your startup's objectives as well while making your decision. For the most part, this refers to how quickly you want the business to grow and start generating revenue. It is possible to run a business without a co-founder, but this will result in much slower development of both the business and the software. If your product needs to reach customers quickly and frequently, having someone to handle business operations while you streamline programming should be a top priority.

In conclusion, if you're ready to share your business with them, a non-technical co-founder is always a valuable team member. The value they provide and if you require them are determined by you and your co-founder. You may have to meet a lot of co-founders before you discover one that suits your team and is willing to join. As a result, determining where to look for a co-founder is the first step.

Ready to bring your startup to the next level? Apply to MassLight’s next batch. MassLight supplies capital and a dedicated tech team. We take equity in return. Have questions? Refer to our FAQ page.

‍

‍