A 50/50 equity split should not be the default. The conversation must focus on what unique, "unfair advantages" each founder brings to the table. This could be a significant pre-built audience, a deep professional network, or personal capital. The idea itself is rarely worth any equity.
Unlike funded companies that fail when they run out of cash, bootstrapped ventures often fail when the founder's "emotional runway" is depleted. This emotional energy, which diminishes during periods of slow growth or plateaus, is more critical to survival than financial runway for a nights-and-weekends project.
A cheap plan with high churn isn't a marketing channel; it's a liability. It demoralizes your team, burdens support, and negatively impacts key metrics. This will significantly harm your company's valuation during a sale or fundraising round. If you keep it, exclude its metrics from your core business reporting.
For bootstrappers with traction, raising a small amount of capital isn't about chasing venture scale. It's a strategic move to accelerate quitting your day job, buying back precious time. Trading a small percentage of equity to go full-time faster is a powerful bet on yourself and your own efficiency.
Unlike traditional SaaS where market risk is paramount, many AI startup ideas introduce significant technology (feasibility) risk. The primary question shifts from "will people want this?" to "can AI reliably do this?" Founders should validate the technology with a proof-of-concept before extensive market validation like 'The Mom Test'.
Don't call someone joining your two-year-old, revenue-generating startup a "co-founder." They are a business partner joining a de-risked asset. Their equity stake should be far from 50/50, reflecting the significant value and progress you've already built, such as achieving initial product-market fit and revenue.