Day 211 of 1095: What Are the Most Important Traits of a Founding CTO?

Founder, War, and the Search for the Right Partner

Today started with the harsh realities of the ongoing war. After that, I shifted my focus to a series of meetings aimed at advancing one of the most critical steps in the startup journey – finding the right tech co-founder.

Building a startup is always challenging, but doing it under these circumstances amplifies the importance of having the right people by your side. A CTO is not just the tech genius behind the scenes; they are a partner who shares the vision, tackles challenges alongside you, and commits to the long game.

What Am I Looking for in a Founding CTO?

1. Strategic Thinking with Business Savvy

Being great with technology is not enough. The ideal partner understands how technology aligns with business goals and can build solutions that deliver real value.

2. Leadership and Team-Building Skills

In the early stages, partners are also leaders. I’m looking for someone who can inspire and mobilize a team, aligning everyone toward the same vision—even when things get tough.

3. Mental Resilience under Pressure

Startup life is a rollercoaster, and the current environment adds even more turbulence. A strong co-founder remains calm and makes thoughtful decisions, even when everything around them feels chaotic.

4. Chemistry and Trust

At the end of the day, beyond skills and experience, partnership is about human connection. I need someone I can trust completely, share both wins and setbacks with, and know they’ll be there every step of the way.

Small Steps Forward

This journey is long and demanding, and every small step counts. Even securing one more promising meeting today feels like progress. Yes, I'm tired, but there's meaning in each step forward.

What do you think?

What traits do you look for in a founding CTO? How do you know when you’ve found the right partner? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Still moving forward, even when peace feels far away,

Eliav.