Opinion

August 27, 2021

Investors shouldn’t be afraid to back married cofounders

Investor bias is grossly unfair to those who have chosen to be partners in both business and matrimony.


Diana Spehar

3 min read

Credit: Derek Thomson on Unsplash

Investing in early-stage businesses is more an art than a science. A key part of that art hinges on understanding the founder dynamics. And for some reason, many investors have decided that married cofounders aren't a dynamic they want to bet on. But this bias is grossly unfair to those who have chosen to be partners in business and matrimony — and means investors miss out on some great companies.

The hesitation is in part understandable; the disintegration of family businesses may make for exciting television, but it hardly fosters investor confidence. Main concerns, as shared by early-stage investors, include the blurred demarcation of roles and responsibilities, difficulty making impartial decisions and managing conflict and the risk of messy board dynamics post-investment.

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