When One Goes Quiet

We've got a runaway cofounder on our hands

Author

Tim He
June 09, 2025

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Checked Out

Sometimes, one cofounder goes silent just as the idea starts to make noise.

People are led to assume that cofounder fallouts are massive betrayals like in The Social Network but in reality, they’re usually caused by asymmetry over time.

We started this 50/50. Shared a vision. But after we launched our MVP, he’s gone quiet. Meanwhile, I’m still pushing, shipping updates, talking to users.

Sound familiar?

It’s happened to me. It’s probably happened to you. Why is this so universal?

1. Misaligned risk tolerance
One cofounder can go full-time. The other can’t (or won’t) until there's funding.

2. Momentum fatigue
After a big rejection (YC, a failed launch, investor ghosting), only one rebounds.

3. Identity mismatch
One person is the idea now. The other can’t see themselves in it anymore.

4. Fear of confrontation
Instead of saying, “I think I’m done,” they just quietly stop showing up.

None of this makes you a bad person. Or even a bad cofounder necessarily.

  • We all have different thresholds for risk.

  • Different ways we cope with failure.

  • Different personal timelines.

It’s not cruel.

But it is confused and unresolved.

The mistake isn’t checking out.
The mistake is pretending you haven’t.
Or refusing to name it when someone else has.

If you’ve been putting off having this tough conversation, take this as a sign to take a deep breath and name what’s been left unsaid.

You don’t need perfect words.
You just need a moment of honesty.

That’s all for now,

Tim He

BTW — The Cherrytree cofounder community is now open. Join here →

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