Doing a startup with a friend is similar to renting an apartment together. You are almost guaranteed huge problems that will put a strain on your relationship.
All this talk about putting things in writing is more or less bullshit. Yes you will know who is right based on your preparations...but so what? All this will do is make the final decision easier in a dispute for the winner...but thats it. The other person will still feel wronged. Your relationship will still suffer, because you had to put your foot down.
This is basically how family works. Every party should have a right to be 'right' in the agreed range of situations (my wife is always right in the house, no matter what).
So, the founders should split the territory and then follow to the agreement.
We're married for 12 years, have 2 kids and overall we're quite happy. Just because my wife is always right about the house and kids, does not imply anything how deep our relations are.
In fact I have more time to hack things because I can leave a lot to my wife. That's how successful companies get built
On the other hand, things may be better with your contribution, even if she doesn't agree. Playing second fiddle in order to keep peace is just laying down, not being productive.
Touche. But my point that all strategies are equally likely to succeed, or better phrased, better to fail still stands. Or maybe, as you've indicated, its simply more people are less prepared.
All this talk about putting things in writing is more or less bullshit. Yes you will know who is right based on your preparations...but so what? All this will do is make the final decision easier in a dispute for the winner...but thats it. The other person will still feel wronged. Your relationship will still suffer, because you had to put your foot down.