Zipcar’s Collision Course

TL;DR

Hey, I’m Tim! ☕

Unfortunately, many of you will find yourselves in the same situation that drove these cofounders apart. One of you will be more committed than the other.

With your unique circumstances -whether financial, family, or other obligations- it’s crucial that you align on your tolerance for risk.

Here’s the one thing to remember: the risk you take is the price you pay for your privileged rank as a cofounder.

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Let’s get into it ⤵

DEEP DIVE

“The purpose of a team is not goal attainment but goal alignment” — Tom DeMarco, author of 10 business books and 6 fiction novels.

Road to Ruin

• Antje backs her cofounder Robin's bid for unilateral firing power, only to be blindsided and fired by Robin just 2 hours later.

• This exposes their tension, as Robin’s frustration with Antje’s perceived lack of commitment and contribution finally erupts.

• Meanwhile, Antje, balancing her Harvard role and Zipcar, felt increasingly sidelined by Robin’s all-in dedication to the company.

• As the company came together, its cofounders grew apart. Once a promising partnership, they now haven’t spoken in over a decade.

Actionable Advice

• 50/50 is a formula for a 100% disaster. Antje wanted an equal split but Robin wanted more shares because she was fully committed.

• Setting clear roles and responsibilities seems strikingly obvious in hindsight but as Homer said, “after the event, even a fool is wise.”

• Having complementary skills and an aligned vision isn’t enough if the effort required to overcome circumstantial resistance is too great.

• Cofounder agreements are necessary and insufficient. Standard advice stresses their importance, but overly rigid ones can backfire.

TIM’S TAKE

Candid Comments

• If the market is “nature” then the cofoundership is “nurture.” Zipcar mostly grew due to their nature, not their cofounders’ nurturing.

• I think it was doomed from the start. Their differing views on running a startup went unaddressed. Conflict was inevitable.

• The difference between “I’ll see if this works” and “I’ll make this work” is the difference between an employee and a cofounder.

• You can’t always give the same blood, sweat, and tears. Life happens. What matters is how you set expectations accordingly.

Related Resources

• Read this article by Pressfarm about clarifying your startup roles.

• Confused by Founder’s, Common, Restricted, and Preferred stock? Start by skimming this guide by Founder Institute then talk to a pro.

• Want more advice for entrepreneurs from entrepreneurs? Check out Thentrepreneur for breakdowns and lessons from top startups.

• Don’t want to get left behind? Find out what’s trending with other founders at Foundcy.

LAST LOOK

Make sure your cofounder sees this — either pass it along or get them to subscribe. A solid relationship takes everyone's effort.

Looking for a cofounder coach? Hit reply.

PS: Let me know if you have content suggestions or feedback.

Tim He
Founder & CEO