[bradam]

Adding an opposite view, Noam Wassermann in his book "The Founder's Dilemmas"[1] concluded after analysing loads of startups that weak links or acquaintances (friends of friends or persons in the same community) are better co-founders.

Doing business (especially a high-risk, high-stress startup) with friends can lead to the elephant in the room effect when in the long term the founders focus on preserving their relationship thus avoiding the friction.

Side note: the author is a teacher, not a serial entrepreneur where one of Aristotle's quote hold its water: “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.”

[1] https://www.entrepreneurship.org/learning-paths/founders-dil...

[em-bee]

an acquaintance of mine went through this experience. started a business with friends. the business went bust, and the friends broke up over it.

"make friends through business, but don't make business with friends" was his response. a quote that stuck with me ever since.