Who are the guys that you are going to have pizza with when you successfully raise capital?

Who are the guys that are going to inspire you?

Who are the guys you’ll be willing to hang out with until 4am finishing off your business proposal?

Who are the guys that are going to push you to achieve at your best?

Who are the guys who are going to have you keep running when you feel like giving up?

One of the most important things you’ll have to do is choose your team. Successful founding teams usually have joint working experience before the company is started, and have complementary skills that are suitable to the needs of the business.

If you’re an engineer, it’s important to have a marketer; if you’re starting a technical company, make sure you have someone technical on board; if you know nothing about finances, it’s essential you have a good money-man. Whatever your industry and whatever your area of expertise, it’s important to mix with and be able to work with different types of people.

As well as having people on board who complement your skill set, make sure you have people on board who are doing what they love. Passionate people who see personal growth, who want to make a difference in the area and who are inspired beyond wanting to nicen up their resume and schmooze their way up the ladder are the best to have around.

The nature of the technology and your market determine to a large extent the path your business will take and the people you will work with a long the way. However, make the path as fun as possible by having people on board who are doing what they love, who share your company’s goals and who you’re willing to work with until 4am, because it’s no fun taking the ride alone!