When a startup is small, everybody is crucial and needs to pull their weight. You need to be certain that the person(s) you’re taking a risk with is capable of fulfilling their duties.
Important assets are skills, vision, critical thinking, network and strong feedback.
Reference
Thiel, Peter, and Blake Masters. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future. Virgin Books, 2014.
Highlights or timestamps
So think twice about the people you’re starting the company with.
— ^9e50a0 from Zero to One
Now typically, startups are so small that every single person on that team plays an important role.
— ^0c6be0 from Zero to One
That’s why, before making an investment in a company, it’s helpful to not only analyse the skills and vision of the people involved, but also their personal connections
— ^94ad83 from Zero to One