I've spent the last year building a working prototype in a field I've been doing my Masters in, and now I've found a potential co-founder who brings motivation and quick learning skills to the table.
We want to start a company based on this prototype, and we already have customers lined up to buy the product. However, we're facing some issues with equity - I'm bringing 150,000€ of starting capital into the company, which will cover the first few months of work and some student hires, but my co-founder doesn't have any capital to contribute.
I don't want this topic to become toxic in the future, and as a first-time founder, I'm not sure how to navigate this situation. How should the equity be split up? Should it be 50-50 solely based on the work we will both contribute, or would another split that favours my risk taking be more fair?
Are there any examples of successful startups that started with an unequal split?
I don't want this topic to become toxic in the future, and as a first-time founder, I'm not sure how to navigate this situation. How should the equity be split up? Should it be 50-50 solely based on the work we will both contribute, or would another split that favours my risk taking be more fair?
Are there any examples of successful startups that started with an unequal split?