How to Find a Cofounder for a Space Startup
TL;DR: To find a cofounder for a space startup, first decide what skills you're missing, usually the technical builder or the commercial seller. Then look where those people already gather: university labs and student groups, aerospace companies, industry associations, conferences, founder communities and matching platforms like YC Co-Founder Matching. Test the fit by working on a real project together before you commit, and agree on roles, equity, vesting and decision-making in writing early.
Key takeaways
- Know the gap you need to fill before you start looking.
- Look where space talent already gathers.
- Work together on a real project before you commit.
- Put roles, equity and vesting in writing early.
Why do space startups need a cofounder?
Space startups combine hard engineering, long sales cycles, regulation and fundraising. That's a lot for one person. Most founders are strong on either the technical side or the commercial side, and the company needs both from day one. A cofounder shares the workload, fills skill gaps and keeps you going through the hard stretches. Many investors also look for a balanced founding team.
What kind of cofounder should you look for?
Start by listing what the company needs in its first two years and what you can't do yourself.
| If you are... | You may need... | Their focus |
|---|---|---|
| A technical founder | A commercial cofounder | Customers, sales, fundraising, partnerships |
| A commercial founder | A technical cofounder | Architecture, prototypes, testing, engineering hires |
| A domain expert | A builder or operator | Execution, hiring, operations |
Beyond skills, look for:
- Shared commitment: both of you ready to go full time on a similar timeline.
- Shared values on risk, ethics and how to treat people.
- Complementary working styles.
- Resilience: space timelines are long.
Where do you find a cofounder for a space startup?
Universities and student groups
Labs, research groups and student organizations are full of technical talent. Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), founded in 1980, is an international student organization with university chapters, and many space founders started in groups like it.
Industry associations and conferences
Professional groups like the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and industry events bring together experienced engineers and business people. Our guide to space industry conferences and trade shows lists events worth attending.
Founder communities
Space founder communities connect people who are already thinking about starting companies. See our list of the best communities for space entrepreneurs.
Cofounder matching platforms
YC Co-Founder Matching describes itself as the largest network of its kind, with over 100K matches made. You can filter by skills, location and interests and include space in your profile.
Your own network
Former colleagues at aerospace companies, research partners and people you've built projects with are often the best candidates, because you've already seen how they work.
What should your cofounder profile or pitch say?
Whether you're writing a matching-platform profile or a LinkedIn post, be specific. A hypothetical example:
"I'm a propulsion engineer with eight years in electric thruster testing. I've spoken with 25 smallsat operators about long lead times for thrusters, and several have asked to see a prototype. I'm looking for a commercial cofounder with B2B sales experience in aerospace or defense to lead customers and fundraising. I'm going full time early next year."
This works because it covers:
- Who you are and what you bring.
- The problem and the evidence you have so far.
- The gap you need filled.
- Your commitment and timeline.
Vague pitches like "building the future of space, looking for a cofounder" attract vague responses.
How do you approach a potential cofounder?
- Share the problem, not just the idea. Strong candidates want to work on important problems.
- Show your progress: customer conversations, prototypes or early commitments. Our guide to startup customer validation explains how to build that evidence.
- Be honest about risk, timelines and what you can offer.
- Ask about their goals, not only your needs.
How do you test cofounder fit before you commit?
Choosing a cofounder is a long-term decision. Test it first:
- Work on a real project together for several weeks: a customer interview sprint, a prototype or a grant application.
- Have the hard conversations early: money, roles, time commitment, what happens if it fails.
- Watch how you handle disagreement.
- Talk to people who have worked with them.
- Meet in person if you can.
What should cofounders agree on before starting?
Put these in writing, with legal advice:
- Roles and responsibilities, including who makes final decisions in each area.
- Equity split and the reasoning behind it.
- Vesting schedule with a cliff, so equity is earned over time.
- IP assignment to the company.
- Time commitment and when each person goes full time.
- What happens if someone leaves.
Space companies may also face export-control and security considerations when bringing on cofounders and early team members. Check with an export-control advisor early; our post on ITAR-safe marketing introduces some of the issues.
What if you can't find a cofounder yet?
- Keep validating the problem with customers.
- Build a small advisory network of experienced space people.
- Use contractors or part-time help for specific tasks.
- Keep showing up in communities and events.
Some founders start solo and find a cofounder once there's more traction. Our guides on how to start a space company and how to become a space entrepreneur cover early steps, and our post on starting a space business without an aerospace degree shows how commercial founders contribute. When you're ready to market, our space marketing guide covers the next stage.
How long does it take to find a cofounder?
It varies. Some founders find the right person in weeks through their own network, while others search for many months. Treat it like hiring your most important employee: keep meeting candidates, keep building the business in parallel and don't settle just to have a name on the slide.
What cofounder mistakes do space founders make?
- Picking a friend without testing the working relationship.
- Splitting equity evenly without discussion or vesting.
- Avoiding hard conversations about money and roles.
- Two founders with the same skills.
- Rushing because investors want a team.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a cofounder for a space startup?
Look in university labs and student groups, aerospace companies, industry associations, conferences, founder communities and matching platforms like YC Co-Founder Matching.
Should a space startup have a technical cofounder?
Most do. Space products are complex, and investors and buyers want to see deep technical leadership on the founding team.
How do I test if someone is the right cofounder?
Work on a real project together for several weeks, have the hard conversations early and talk to people who have worked with them.
How should cofounders split equity?
There's no single rule. Discuss contributions and commitment openly, use a vesting schedule with a cliff and get legal advice.
Can I start a space company without a cofounder?
Yes. Some founders start solo, build traction and add a cofounder later, using advisors and contractors in the meantime.
Want to work through this with other space founders?
Join Space Entrepreneurs, free. Space Entrepreneurs is the free Skool community I host for founders who are starting, marketing and growing space companies. Bring your questions, share what you are working on and learn from people building in the same industry.
