Ask HN: Should cofounders next able to code?

1 pointvladmk2 comments

Hey guys,

Been a member for a while, however I don’t code. I’ve started a small successful marketing agency today position myself to make being a cofounder easier.

Do you think learning to code will help me start a tech startup or would be a waste if time?

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If you're going to co-found a tech startup, don't learn to code if you think you're going to be able to "help" or "understand" your programmers better. They will be far more appreciative if you trust and empower them, and aim to reduce their administrative overheads that are keeping their fingers off the keyboard.

Learn how to code for fun by all means, but you'll frustrate yourself if your aim is to obtain some level of expertise in a short time!

I disagree. I think a minimal idea of coding is useful to be able to understand them better. (But if the OP use the minimal idea of coding to try to micromanage them, it can be bad.)

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