Adam Moalla mentoring slides on topic building a founding team ready for VC and growth.

1. Adam Moalla
Founder & Managing Director
adam@moalla-ventures.com
9 Steps For Building A Great
Founding Team

2. ABOUT ME
Today
ü Senior Venture Architect at Schenker Ventures
ü Founder & MD at Moalla Ventures
ü Simply Tasks
ü Lableb NLP Solutions
ü Teambay
ü Go Cards
ü Startups Mentoring & Investment
Previously
ü Head of International Product at Bonial Group
ü Founder & CEO of teambay GmbH
ü SaaS HR
ü Started with FI in 2013!!!
Adam Moalla
Founder & Managing Director
adam@moalla-ventures.com
Adam Moalla
adam@moalla-ventures.com

3. 9 Steps For Building A Great
Founding Team

4. Today’s Topic
adam@moalla-ventures.com
- Founders
- The idea
- Founding Team
- The rock on which to build the
startup as a business
- Founding CEO
- Reality distortion field and
comfort chaos
*Steve Blank – Author & Entrepreneur
https://steveblank.com/2013/07/29/building-great-founding-teams/
Founders
Founding
Team
Founding
CEO
Our topic today

5. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
p
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
The difference between YOU and your BIGGEST competitor is a team.
How To
Build A
Founding
Team?
adam@moalla-ventures.com

6. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
p
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
You want a co-founding team that complements your skills. There is absolutely no other reason.
Start with a list of of skills that you are :
- Great at (those are yours)
- Not great at ---> Potential Co-founder (not yet a co-founder)
- Exception people skills & teamwork, a must for every co-founder including CTO
- Tip: Look-up similar businesses early acticities and check the co-founders and early employees backgrounds and skills

7. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sharpen your mission and vission and use it as a recruiting pitch. These
are your main co-founders salaries and Cultura fit check
Answering:
- What do you want to achieve? The nicer it sounds the easier it is to
attract co-founders.
- How exactly?
- And by what time?

8. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
From what you are great at in context of your mission, it is time to group what you are not great at into
responsibilities based on your business model ONLY. Each model requires different areas of focus.
A co-founder is NOT an early employee. You need a clear set of responsibilities
Example responsibilities: Business Strategy, Finance, Marketing, IT, Product..etc Not: website designer, or
SEO or backend engineer.. etc
Tip: Look-up your competitors or similar businesses board of directors and co-founding teams.
Tip: Have a clear understanding of what is your business exit strategy or at least your breakeven-point and add only co-founders who can help you
get there.

9. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
You know what you want and you have a clear vesion and mission, and hey! Your are in Berlin!
Places where you can recruit:
- Social media (linkedin.com, reddit, stackexchange…. even facebook & instagram)
- Meetups
- Online communites (e.g. djangogigs.com, linkedin groups)
Best co-founders are referred by your best friends. Start with your network.
Reach out for best senior people you find by asking for advice first and aim HIGH!

10. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Think about your company shares distribution before discussing with your co-founders.
- Shares are proportional to every co-founder investment in the company.
- Investment is:
- Risk, Money, Time, Skills, Network..etc
- No matter what is the case (part-time or only money) there is always a solution.
- Not all co-founders should get equity, employee program and revenue shares is an
option.
Tip: Signup at www.handelsregister.de and download similar companies partnership agreements.

11. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Because people & teamwork skills are a must. The only way to know is to get to work first.
- Teamwork = the ability to work with YOU and other co-founders.
- Sign an NDA (to keep your startup information confidential)
- Intellectual property (IP) assignment agreement (all work done during this month is
owned by your company) email me for a template.
- Set milestones and OKRs
- Be honest with your co-founders, this is the best way to go for both sides.
- To sign an NDA & IP, you should set shares expectations and decide a deadline for signing
the co-founder agreement.

12. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
As a founder, your only way to build the best team is to choose only the best people available.
Saying No to those who don‘t fit is a skill you must learn. The 6th step is a big help here.
You can win any argument if you show facts, be well prepared and saying No will be easier.
Personal tips:
-Avoid the thinkers (if less than 80% is spent on doing, then you can‘t afford it)
-Avoid the pretenders (Yes, I can do it, but in reality??)
-Avoid the greedy (I am not going to do it because I am not rewarded enough)
-Avoid the not-so-generalists (co-founder will and should do everything)

13. More than 3 co-founders? Each with a special case?
There are ways to systematically say no! It‘s called excel! J
You don‘t need to do it, but it is good to know there are ways to bring facts into your discussions.

14. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
This step is an extension of step 5. You leanred what options are there, you looked up similar
companies setup now it is time to think about each individual co-founders agreements.
-Learn about a Cliff and Vesting Plans (my favourits are one year cliff and 4 years vesting)
-Setup a meeting with your co-founders to draft the main points of the agreement.
-Don‘t reach out to a lawyer before having a signed bullet-points of what you want to draft.
-Tip: If in 2 years another startup wanted your co-founder, do you have the right agreement and
incentives to keep them?

15. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
P
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Respoinsibilites are clear, co-founders are found, good agreements are drafted, it is time for the
Notary.
-Avoid doing multiple notarization if possible. ESOP is an option if you can afford it.
-Revenue shares, convirtable loans don‘t need notarisation. Any contract that is not concerning the company as an entity.
-You can always increase the number of shares in your company and add new co-founders
(although not recommended but good to know there are mutiple options)
-You can always buy-out your co-founders when both parties agree, but it can be „dirty“.

16. Summary

17. what are you GREAT at?
Clear Vission & Mission
Define Needed Responsibilities
(until Profit or Exit)
Start The Search
Think about shares
Start Working FIRST
Practice saying No!
Design the agreement
Legal, set, Go!
IDEA
COMPANY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Define who will compliment you
The equivilant of salaries.
Lookup similar companies management
teams.
Aim high, ask for advise first.
Ask and Lookup other startups in the space
Sign an NDA & IP ONLY
Avoid non-doers, pretenders, greedies
and non-genralists.
Before reaching out to a lawyer
Always rethink your co-founding team.

18. S
t
a
r
t
T
h
e
S
e
a
r
c
h
C
l
e
a
r
V
i
s
s
i
o
n
&
M
i
s
s
i
o
n
D
e
f
i
n
e
N
e
e
d
e
d
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
(
u
n
t
i
l
p
r
o
f
i
t
o
r
E
x
i
t
)
S
t
a
r
t
W
o
r
k
i
n
g
F
I
R
S
T
(
S
i
g
n
a
n
N
D
A
&
I
P
O
N
L
Y
)
T
h
i
n
k
a
b
o
u
t
s
h
a
r
e
s
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e
s
a
y
i
n
g
N
o
!
D
e
s
i
g
n
t
h
e
a
g
r
e
e
m
e
n
t
(
b
e
f
o
r
e
r
e
a
c
h
i
n
g
o
u
t
t
o
a
l
a
w
y
e
r
)
w
h
a
t
a
r
e
y
o
u
G
R
E
A
T
a
t
?
IDEA COMPANY
L
e
g
a
l
,
s
e
t
,
G
o
!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Adam Moalla
adam@moalla-ventures.com
Questions?
adam@moalla-ventures.com