Every entrepreneur isn't short of ideas - but every entrepreneur in his/her social circle is a maverick of one sort or another. SO if the local concentration of mavericks isn't high it makes things difficult. Finding a cofounder is pretty hard and only something that can be done by finding someone you agree with - then trying out the relationship over a project.
I met my cofounder accidently - last year i had an idea and approached a couple of people cold and just tried doing a project. One of the guys i met i seemed to work with amazingly well. We sparked ideas, started creating other side projects, had complementary skills, believed in beautiful design and how simple ideas could really impact the world and above all we had the same positive attitude and stamina to make things happen (we both have great stamina and a get things done attitude). Our ideas have changed from the original one. A year later we've worked on so many things - but most importantly we can depend on eachother to make things happen.
Bottom line, cofounders pop up in unexpected places. Be open, talk to people you know, friends, their friends - see if anyone sparks. Its a hard road until then - but trial people out - get them involved in your project. Hidden mavericks do exist in local environments and passion is infectious.
I am founding this company http://www.onista.com (A Social Marketplace) and so far I am doing it all by myself. Didn't have any issues yet and I am very well on the course to launch it in Summer. It is true that it is taking me little longer time than what I could have done with one cofounder.
But again, why should I expect a stranger to take risks with his/her career, make sacrifices and be passionate about my idea. After launching http://www.onista.com if people like it, then I am sure I will get cofounders.
Hits without partners: 0
Hits with partner: 1
Potential hits with partner(currently): 1
There is nothing like having someone else think and work 20hr days WITH you when you are starting up.
I agree, having confounder helps a lot, but if one can't find it then that should not stop you from doing what you want to do.
That said, you're right: people love "winners." The trick is you don't have to have sold a big startup to make a reputation. Even before my startup went live, I started getting emails from people across the campus about their ideas and working with them. That's when I realized a lot of attracting folks to work with you is about PR - backed by a real plan and intelligence.
Not that you should start a company with a stranger, though; I would not recommend that.