Starting a business is a thrilling adventure. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in life, but creating a startup is also a journey where peril abounds. The consequences of failure can be ruinous. Therefore, it’s incumbent on you to raise the odds of thriving as high as possible.

One way of making the endeavor less dangerous is selecting a co-founder. That said, you can’t just pick anyone. There are certain traits you want in this person if you’re going to have a bountiful partnership.

Choose Someone With Passion

The individual by your side must feel as strongly about your corporate mission as you. Especially in the early days, there will be moments when the work hours seem neverending, and there won’t be any immediate financial payoff. Have a fellow visionary fighting the good fight during these early struggles.

Choose Someone Capable of Adapting

Running a business is as much an art as it is a science. There are bound to be moments when adjusting strategies is not merely wise but essential. When the time comes to make far-reaching changes, the person helping decide on a new direction must be equally cool-headed and able to grasp a shift in perspective. The last thing you need is someone arguing that everything should remain the same.

Choose Someone Honest

When money’s at stake, it’s truly a test of a person’s character. The individual you partner with will likely have access to the same funds and bookkeeping data as you. Should that person be prone to unethical behavior, you could be robbed of not just cash but also privileged business information. Perform a gut check to decide whether the candidate you’re considering is worthy of entrusting with your assets and corporate dream.

Choose Someone Ready To Learn

No matter how smart you are, there’s always room for growth. Walking the path of an entrepreneur is an unending lesson in humility. Whoever you bring into your fold must be as agreeable to receiving negative feedback and learning new skills as you are. Test this willingness by suggesting that your future partner enroll in an educational enhancement class or tackle a fresh challenge. The response you receive should prove illuminating.

Selecting a cofounder for your venture is a task that cannot be taken lightly. Linking up with the wrong person could be more of an impediment than an asset, but the right one may be the key to success.