I still remember hustling through 200+ startup networking events in London, chasing the elusive dream of finding the perfect cofounder. It was exciting at first – every meetup and pitch night felt like a chance to meet the one. But after countless evenings of soggy pizza and small talk, I realized something important: not everyone finds their cofounder at a typical networking event. In fact, many founders (myself included) eventually turn to more creative approaches. If the thought of loud meetups and cold introductions makes you cringe, this guide is for you.

Why Networking Events Aren’t the Only Answer: You might feel like you’re at a disadvantage if you’re not plugged into a big startup scene or if you’re an introvert. Take heart – plenty of successful startups began with founders who met in unconventional ways. For instance, the cofounders of GitLab met online via email and built a billion-dollar company before ever meeting in person​. This taught me that meaningful connections can form anywhere – not just at happy hours or pitch competitions.

In my own journey, I moved to London with a dream and no network. I attended event after event to no avail. Ultimately, I ended up creating OnlyFounders, an app to help entrepreneurs find cofounders without solely relying on chance encounters. Along the way, I discovered several effective strategies to find a cofounder beyond the typical networking circuit:

Tap into Online Platforms and Communities

One of the best things I did was explore online founder communities. In today’s world, you can meet like-minded entrepreneurs from your couch. Websites and apps dedicated to cofounder matching (including the one I built, OnlyFounders) are designed for this very purpose. On these platforms, you can filter by industry, skills, values, or vision, making it easier to find someone who clicks with your idea and personality.

Beyond dedicated apps, consider startup forums and social networks:

• Founder matchmaking sites – Platforms like OnlyFounders App allow you to create a profile and search for cofounders with complementary skills. Many founders have found partners here when local networking fell short. Interesting places yet they help you discover CoFounders, whilst you still need to do your own due diligence and meet these Founders in real life.

• Reddit & Niche Forums – Subreddits like r/startups or r/cofounders can connect you to potential partners globally. I’ve seen people post about their startup vision and get DMs from interested collaborators overnight.

• LinkedIn and Facebook Groups – There are groups for almost every startup niche (e.g. “SaaS Founders” or “Women Entrepreneurs”). Engaging in these groups by asking for advice or sharing your idea can organically attract a partner. It’s less direct than a dating app approach, but it builds relationships over shared interests.

Tip: When reaching out online, be genuine about what you’re looking for and why you were drawn to that person’s profile. Treat it like meeting someone at an event, minus the awkward handshake – you still need to build rapport!

Leverage Your Existing Network (Creatively)

You might be thinking, “I don’t have a network.” Trust me, you have more than you realize. Networking isn’t only about events with strangers; it’s also about people you already know. Early on, I overlooked friends, former classmates, and colleagues as potential cofounders or connectors. Once I spread the word that I was looking for a cofounder, surprising things happened.

• Friends of Friends: Let your acquaintances know you’re seeking a cofounder. Often, the perfect partner might be two degrees away. Someone in your circle might know a talented developer tired of their corporate job, or a marketing guru itching to start something – but they won’t introduce you if they don’t know you’re looking.

• Alumni Networks: If you went to university or a coding bootcamp, tap into alumni communities. I eventually met one of my collaborators through a fellow Hult International Business School alum. We already had a common background, which made the initial conversation easier.

• Former Coworkers: Think of people you worked well with in the past. Is there a brilliant designer you teamed up with on a project, or a business colleague who always talked about startup ideas? Reconnecting over coffee (even virtually) can transform an old colleague into a new cofounder candidate.

When leveraging your network, don’t just ask “Know anyone who codes?”. Instead, share your vision. For example: “I’m building an app to connect founders (like a ‘Tinder for startup cofounders’). I have the business side covered, but I’m looking for a technical cofounder who believes in the mission. Do you know anyone who might fit?” This invites people to think of those who align with your values and vision, not just a skill set.

Participate in Collaborative Projects (Hackathons & Online Challenges)

Traditional networking mixers might not be your jam, but what about actually building something together? Hackathons, startup weekends, and online innovation challenges are goldmines for finding a cofounder – and they’re not your typical cocktail-hour networking. These are time-bounded events (often a weekend or a 48-hour sprint) where people form teams to create a prototype or business idea. The beauty is you see potential cofounders in action under pressure, which is incredibly telling.

Even if you’re avoiding in-person events, note that many hackathons are now virtual. You can join an online hackathon from anywhere. I’ve met founders who connected during a virtual game jam or an open-source project sprint. By the end, they weren’t just acquaintances – they had built something together and knew how it felt to collaborate.

• Where to find them: Platforms like Devpost list upcoming hackathons (including online ones). Universities and tech communities also host virtual startup weekends. Keep an eye on Indie Hackers or Hacker News for community-driven challenges.

• Why it works: You’ll naturally gravitate toward people who share your passion. If you pitch an idea at a hackathon, those who join your team are literally volunteering to work on your vision. That’s a strong filter for interest and commitment. Plus, you’ll learn about their skills and work style in a real-world scenario – something a coffee chat at a networking event can’t reveal.

I personally joined a weekend coding sprint (despite not being a coder) just to mingle with tech folks in a more hands-on way. The result? I ended up meeting a brilliant developer who later became an advisor for OnlyFounders’ early tech prototype. We might never have met just by exchanging business cards.

Use Content and Social Media to Attract Your Cofounder

Here’s a less obvious but powerful approach: put yourself out there through content. By sharing your journey or your startup idea publicly, you might attract your future cofounder to come to you. This happened to a friend of mine – he wrote a blog about the problem he wanted to solve, and an engineer reached out saying, “I’ve wanted to solve this too.” They eventually teamed up.

Ways to do this:

• Blog or LinkedIn Posts: Write about the industry problem you’re passionate about. Explain your vision for solving it. People who resonate with that vision might reach out or share your post within your target community.

• Twitter (X) Threads: In the startup world, Twitter is a meeting ground of ideas. By tweeting about the problem you’re tackling, you signal to others in that space. Use relevant hashtags (e.g. #fintech if it’s a fintech startup) to reach beyond your followers. Don’t be afraid to be open about seeking a partner – authenticity can draw the right person in.

• Podcasts & Webinars: If you’re up for it, talk about your idea on a podcast or at a virtual panel. When you position yourself as someone working on an exciting project, potential cofounders may take notice and DM you after.

This method is a bit like casting a net. You might not catch something immediately, but over time you build an inboundfunnel of sorts. The key is consistency and honesty – share your excitement, struggles, and progress. Aspiring cofounders often lurk in these spaces, looking for an opportunity that sparks their interest.

I started posting on LinkedIn about the challenges of finding a cofounder (the irony, I know!). I shared snippets of my journey: moving to a new city, the frustration of shallow networking, and why I believed in deeper compatibility. Those posts garnered comments and messages from others in the same boat. One message turned into a long video call with an experienced founder who was looking for a new project – and while we didn’t ultimately partner, he became a mentor and introduced me to others who could have. Content can be the gift that keeps on giving.

Consider Cofounder Matching Programs and Platforms

When you can’t (or don’t want to) rely on random chance, structured matching programs can be a lifesaver. Organizations like Entrepreneur First, Antler, or YC’s cofounder matching network essentially play “founder dating service,” pairing up entrepreneurs based on interests and expertise. These often involve applications and interviews, but they can surround you with a pool of pre-vetted, motivated individuals also seeking a partner.

Since this article is first-person: I have to give a shoutout here to what we’re building at OnlyFounders. Shameless plug aside, our whole mission is to streamline what I struggled with. We use a matching algorithm focusing on what I found really matters (complementary skill sets, aligned values, and shared vision) – not just “oh you both want to do AI.” We also offer advisory support to help pairs vet their compatibility deeper, so you don’t fall into the trap of jumping in blind with someone. It’s effectively designed for founders who want to skip the endless event circuit and find their person in a more targeted way.

(Subtle CTA: If you’re tired of refreshing Meetup.com with no luck, you might find our OnlyFounders app a breath of fresh air – it was born from exactly that frustration.)

Putting It All Together – Your Cofounder is Out There

Finding the right cofounder is a bit like a quest. Networking events are one path on that quest, but they’re far from the only one. By expanding your approach to online platforms, personal networks, collaborative projects, and content, you dramatically increase your odds of success. More importantly, you can find someone who truly aligns with you, not just the first person who bumps into you at a mixer.

Looking back, I’m actually grateful I didn’t find a cofounder at those early events – because it pushed me to explore these alternative routes. I ended up building a much richer network and even a company that helps others do the same.

If you remember one thing, let it be this: The “right” cofounder connection can happen in the unlikeliest of places. It might be a Twitter conversation at 1 AM, a friend of a friend from college, or a collaboration on a weekend project. Stay open, be proactive, and keep sharing your vision. The more you put yourself (and your idea) out into the world, the more likely you’ll attract the partner you need.

Finding a cofounder without traditional networking events is not only possible – it might just lead you to a partnership that’s more genuine and aligned than any handshake born under neon event lights. Good luck, and happy cofounder hunting!

*(And hey, if you need a little help on that journey, you know where to find me – likely tinkering away on OnlyFounders, hoping to make this process easier for all of us.)

Sources:

• GitLab cofounders Dmitriy and Sytse met via email and built their startup remotely​ shizune.co. This example shows that cofounder connections can form online without prior in-person networking.

• Networking platforms and communities have enabled countless founder pairings. My own experience building OnlyFounders was influenced by meeting entrepreneurs through online forums and seeing the need for vision/values-based matching. (Personal experience, Montasser)