When Your Co-Founder Becomes Your Biggest Liability

Recognizing the signs, mitigating the damage, and moving forward.

Marshall Hargrave
2 min readDec 9, 2024

Starting a business with a co-founder can be an exhilarating experience.

You share a vision, complement each other’s skills, and embark on a journey to build something remarkable together.

However, what happens when the partnership takes a turn for the worse, and your once-trusted ally becomes your biggest liability?

The number one reason startups fail is co-founder disputes.

Recognizing the Red Flags

Identifying the signs of a deteriorating co-founder relationship is crucial for minimizing damage and making informed decisions. Some common red flags include…

Misaligned goals and values:

When co-founders no longer share the same vision or prioritize different objectives, it can lead to constant disagreements and a lack of cohesion.

Lack of communication:

If your co-founder becomes increasingly distant, unresponsive, or unwilling to engage in open and honest discussions, it may signal a deeper problem.

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Marshall Hargrave
Marshall Hargrave

Written by Marshall Hargrave

Serial entrepreneur. Finance, startups, investing. Catalyst-focused, event-driven. Hip-hop vigilante. On the quest for the best hot chicken.

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