[staunch]

This could be part of the problem. A huge benefit of an equal partnership is that neither feels justified in feeling that the other person should do more of the work.

Even if you're intellectually okay with an uneven split it can gnaw at you subconsciously and effect motivation.

[tommartin12]

I suspect that this might be part of the problem, he has mentioned that he would like to re-negotiate the equity split. However, I feel like giving him a larger proportion of the company to solve a motivation issue is not the right thing to do.

[staunch]

Well, personally I'd never start a partnership with someone that wasn't even. If they're not worth half they're not worth partnering with.

There are exceptions: if I invested in the company I might end up with more equity based on that investment, but it would still start at 50/50 on day one.

No one feels bad if you put in $500k to get an extra 20%. But just arbitrarily deciding one guy gets an extra 20%? That's going to gnaw at you later.

You said you put in 70% of the money and he put in 30%. Is he willing to match your contribution to get himself up to 50%?

[tommartin12]

not really possible, he doesn't have the money.