The value differential

Why CTOs don't want to build your idea

Very few technical founders will want to join your startup. It’s not that appealing to them. From their perspective they’ll get at most 50% equity for 90% of the work. Also, if the natural progression is that they’ll be the CTO they’re ultimately going to be No.2 at best. Why would they do that? They could just start their own company, build exactly what they want to build and own it all. If they need help with the business side they have much more leverage and could probably hire a product or marketing focused co-founder for 20-30% equity. Potentially much less if their idea has any traction.

From their perspective, the numbers and value just do not add up here.