Contact me if interested.

(Seriously, I think this reads too much like a stereotypical job ad, and less like a search for a cofounder. Cofounders need to have much better relationships than employees, and I'm hesitant to think that four paragraphs of generic superlatives is the right way to find partners for a business venture.)

I'm not saying I want to see HN become a job board. But, this sure looks like a credible and serious request to me.

I think the best way to find people here is to get to know them through the site, over time, not with an ad, although I don't really care if the odd ad appears here - it's not really damaging, as it's easy to ignore, and doesn't attract the wrong kind of people.

- Local startup gatherings

- Open source projects

- Former jobs

- College / grad-school

I'd never post something like this original post because it puts you in a situation you don't want to be in later on -- choosing a co-founder isn't something you can do as a snap decision after you meet them. To accomplish the same goal as the original poster, I'd ask something like:

"Hi, I'm based in Toronto and considering leaving my current startup to start my own. Any one got any local startup-related events they'd recommend? Or want to meet for a beer somewhere and share tips on the local scene? I'm also going to be popping down to SV in three weeks to check out things there -- any must-not-miss events?"

Then we can quote PG: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=77149

I don't think HN is a good medium for finding cofounders. This is a place for discussion, and true that's indicative of people's perceived intelligence, but it's not indicative of their real life personality and work behavior.

MAKE FRIENDS. MEET PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE AROUND YOU. Put your face into the game. That is the most tried and true way. And if you live in Bumfuck, Egypt, then get the hell out of Dodge and find the way to San Jose (did I use enough idioms in this sentence?).

This is how I found my cofounder.

Two paragraphs of generic superlatives is not really doing anyone good, is it?

Also, like dating online... you have to wonder if a guy that can run a successful startup with 5 employees already (not a menial task at all and would definitely suggest having an established network in Canada), why would he need to look for a partner online in the first place?

When I was much younger and eager, dealing with posts similar to this always ended up wasting time. So, sure, I'm might just be making an ass out of myself.

But I would love for the OP -- who, mind you, has no discernible history to this community -- to prove me wrong rather than you to quip about my writing.

I only clicked on one ad, the very first one listed -- http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cpg/839620808.html -- and it's worse than anything I could have imagined!

"Want to build your portfolio? ... I have a vision, a blog and a domain name but need help creating/setting up and showing me how to maintain my web site. It will incorporate Web 2.0/Web 3.0 features so you'll get a chance to showcase your skills. ... Compensation: no pay"

OP however has not expressed or implied any such things or even inequality. The way I read his post is that he is looking for a partner of equal strength, and supposedly share. He's even willing to relocate. How is that demeaning to the prospect partner?

Your assumptions are based solely on your _other_ experience and are rather unfounded.

I move so quickly I make Jet Li look like a chump and my deft-defying footwork leaves Michael Jordan in awe. I am wanted in 2,359 countries as a political outlaw and am worshipped by a small Pigmy tribe in Africa. Using a pair of chopsticks and soy sauce I once saved a small Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn from the Asian Mafia. I build mainframe telecommunication networks for fun and single handedly defeated twenty 5 yr. olds in a game of Dodge Ball. I’ve been banned from playing the lottery because I win so much. In a Hyundai Excel I ran the quarter mile in the high 9’s. My incredible good looks are such that I make lesbians go straight.

Scientists have preserved my DNA for the cloning of a future biogenetically engineered army to take over the world. I coined the phrase “Bootie Call” and your sister once had a crush on me not so long ago. I write articles for GQ, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times just to amuse myself. I scored a 1600 on the SAT.

OK. I'm in. But I need 55% ownership and a 75k/yr Salary + benefits. Also, I prefer to do the business side, so I'll go ahead and file all the papers and then hire you as an employee (dont worry, you can still be silent, minority investor too, but I'm afraid I cant give you any real voting rights). :)

With that out of the way -- there is a lot of discussion about whether hacker news is a great place to find co-founders. To be honest, this place is probably chock full of awesome co-founders, both technical or business. But the method of your request is all wrong.

Great partnerships are sort of like relationships. Its about give and take, its about strengths and weaknesses. I hate to say it, but you arent going to have any idea about that from a post on here, and its a horrible way to start an enterprise. $10 says you get 6 months in, realize you have different visions for the company, and one of you walks, leaving the other with a pile of shit and a lot of bills. Nevermind, you can keep the $10. You're going to need it.

To be frank -- You would be better off using this place to ask for advice on a more specific topic -- perhaps something you are weak at. Then look through the responses, find the ones that strike you as the smart, intuitive responses, and ask those people if they mind having lunch with you. Rinse, repeat 20 times. Then you will start to build a network. Have a beer with those people occasionally. Talk about similar interests (I guess for you, your idea in enterprise software...). A natural choice for someone who COULD be a partner will filter itself out. And you'll be better off, because you will actually be at least ACQUAINTANCES with that person, so you'll have an idea if they are shitting you or the real thing.

[Sidebar -- If you are equally as capable in business and technical side, wtf do you want a partner for? You need employees and investors.]

Sorry to be a downer on your idea -- but your methodology stinks as either someone who is lazy or a liar, and neither of those make good partners.

"I want to start a business related startup. I've worked for a small startup. I've got enough cash to get us through the first few months. I live in Canada."

Other than that there's not much to go on. Would you jump at a pitch like that?

You reject Craigslist for being not technical enough, yet the most detail you give is "I have an idea"? Are you looking to compute spaceshuttle flightpaths using CUDA, make "a web daytybasey" or write a portaloo rental scheduler for SAP?

Someone who shares the same values? What values? Running a company then leaving it? Posting a vague post and when criticized and asked for more details, telling people to stop whining, then making insinuating comments about them? Complaining about being given a hard time when faced with a dozen paragraphs of text on the internet?

This is the internet, you talk people listen. Spend time and effort listening. Hundreds or thousands of people, minutes each. Person hours wasted. Consider the ice pre-broken.

It might be a bit late now, but giving lots more details is about the only way you could salvage this thread, IMO.