COACHING FOR STARTUP COFOUNDERS
Resolve conflict. Build trust. Get aligned.
Cofounder coaching is my full-time specialization. Since 2020, I’ve worked with 100+ founding teams on the relationship at the center of their companies.
Dr. Matthew Jones · Licensed Psychologist · Author of The Cofounder Effect · Co-founder, Institute for Founder Dynamics
Trusted by founders backed by:
83%
of VC-backed startups are built by cofounders
Founder Ownership Report, 2025
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"He saved our business and friendship"
“Cofounder therapy with Dr. Jones was just one of many risks we’ve taken to get better in life, business and beyond. To be truthful, he saved our business and friendship. With his support, we learned to validate each other, listen with empathy, and have difficult conversations. Most importantly, Dr. Matt’s framework helped us apply lessons beyond sessions — transcending what we thought was possible.”
Jay and Latesha, Cofounders of Cards for All People
What you’ll build in sessions
(The things most founders ignore—until everything’s on fire.)
✔ A shared script for hard conversations that rebuilds trust fast
✔ Decision tools that feel fair, not reactive or lopsided
✔ Clarity on the patterns that keep you stuck and how to shift them
✔ A work dynamic grounded in values, not just survival
✔ Tools to stay connected under pressure without burning out
✔ A clear map of how your cofounder thinks and reacts
✔ Communication habits that reduce tension and create traction
✔ Energy, creativity, and momentum in your relationship again
Are you one of these 3 types of cofounders?
Ambitious (funded)
You understand your partnership is crucial to the success of your company
You value creating a cohesive organizational culture and refining your leadership
You want to strengthen your partnership before stress and scaling-related pressures increase after closing your Seed or Series A-C
Successful (revenue/traction)
You’ve built a successful business, whether bootstrapped or venture-backed, but notice more resentment towards one another than in the past
You avoid certain topics of discussion because you do not want to have the same repetitive disagreement
You have lost your energy and enthusiasm for working together and want to have fun again
Committed (friends/family)
You worry the ongoing stress of business disagreements will damage your personal relationship
Your personal relationship complicates your ability to provide open and honest feedback with one another and many of your thoughts go unspoken
Your professional arguments influence your personal relationship and vice-versa, leading you to feel stuck or suffocated
Cofounder coaching isn't one part of my practice. It's the practice.
Since 2020, founding teams have been my full-time focus. After 100+ of them, I know the patterns, and I know what actually helps a team change.
I also co-founded the Institute for Founder Dynamics, a nonprofit building the research and professional standards for this field. Its first project curated a directory of 50+ cofounder coaches across 10+ countries.
As seen in:
How it works
The Cofounder Conflict Navigation System™
Startups rarely break because of product. They break because the people at the top fall out of sync.
The Cofounder Conflict Navigation System™ is the method I developed over six years with founding teams and set out in The Cofounder Effect (2025). It moves through three phases:
1. Preparation — Getting grounded and clear before the hard conversation.
2. Conversation — Staying connected while you work through it.
3. Repair — Rebuilding trust and keeping the relationship healthy as the company scales.
What founders are saying
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“My co-founder and I sought counseling after months of feeling frustrated, unheard & misunderstood. It was affecting the business and ruining our friendship. I couldn’t be more grateful to have found Matt. He helped us communicate, make space for each other, and feel understood and valued. After only a few sessions, the tension was decreasing and we now had the tools to work through difficult topics. Honestly, it was some of the best money I’ve ever invested in my business.”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
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“Over the course of six months, Matt completely re-engineered the relationship I had with my co-founder and people in general. I entered the process with trepidation and skepticism, wanting to be right about the way I felt. Matt’s calm and reassuring style with follow-up notes made unlocking patterns easy to understand and practice. Over the course of working with him, I applied his method to all parts of my life and can honestly say that it has been life changing for me. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Satish Jayakumar, COO & Cofounder of Increasingly
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“Matt provided a safe space for us to invest in our partnership and work on the parts that needed it most. He listened, guided the conversation, and offered firm, empathetic feedback that created real change. Matt felt like a member of our team — which was exactly what we needed.”
Cofounders, CEO and CTO of venture-backed startup
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“Matt has played an incredible part in my journey of growth and improving my relationship with my cofounder. His style is kind, considered, and clear. I feel compelled to listen and practice what he puts on the table. I couldn’t recommend Matt enough.”
Sri Sharma, CEO & Cofounder of Increasingly
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“Having Dr. Matthew Jones onboard is a secret weapon. It’s the difference between building a company unconsciously and building with intention — ensuring every decision you make is moving you one step closer to the life you want.”
Cole and Drew, Cofounders of Digital Press
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“Matt is a truly unique asset to our team and company. His blend of insight on interpersonal dynamics, leadership, and startup founder challenges has been invaluable in navigating the challenging early stages of the founder/cofounder journey. He is empathetic, patient, and kind. If you’re looking for a startup- and cofounder-specific coach, look no further.”
Anna Greenwald, CEO, On the Goga
More success stories
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“When I found Cofounder Clarity, I was going through the most difficult time my cofounder and I have experienced in our business. Dr. Jones’ approach of blending therapy and coaching equipped us with exercises and tools to better communicate and understand each other. Working on our partnership is the best investment we could have made. Highly recommend working with Dr. Jones to get clarity for your startup.”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
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“Cofounder Clarity is one of the best experiences I've had working with any coach or advisor to date. I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to level up.”
Avery Durrant, CEO, Dripos
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“Cofounder Clarity has been a foundational component in the development of both my individual self and our founding team. Being a founder requires constant attention, effort, and a growth mindset — and Cofounder Clarity has amplified our growth.”
Cofounder and CTO, venture-backed startup
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“Dr. Jones has a great skill set to help cofounders navigate complex issues and understand where each other is coming from. This was incredibly helpful in allowing us to find a working solution where we didn’t think one could ever exist.”
Casey Fitts, CEO, Loftus
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“Matt is an incredible cofounder coach who has helped me learn more about myself, hone my communication skills, and deepen my partnership with my cofounder. I can’t recommend Matt highly enough.”
Will Kim, CEO, Karat
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“Dr. Matt was a tremendous coach and really improved our co-founder communication and relationship. I highly recommend him.”
Cofounder and CBO, venture-backed startup
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“I do not think I would be standing as firmly on my feet today, had you and I not done the work we did over the two years we worked together. What you helped me see was tremendously helpful for my confidence and self-awareness, both personally and professionally. It was hard for me to go that deep at times, but now I see how necessary it was. I have so much gratitude for your approach and what you were able to unlock for me.”
Nathalie Phillips, Senior Brand Director, Beam Suntory
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“We came to Matthew after encountering issues due to the combined stress of the pandemic and several years of unresolved issues. We were friends first and business partners second, and that created tension. In just three months, we learned crucial communication tools, built more organized structures, and learned to de-escalate, convey empathy, and empower each other. As business owners, it’s been eye-opening to discover that there are tools like this to build both a better business and better relationships.”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
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“I’ve referred my founder friends with no reservations, and the ones who’ve worked with him have told me: ‘It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done… we’ve never met someone as impressive or helpful in navigating this.’”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cost?
We charge a monthly investment based on our level of involvement, stage of company, and the type of engagement required to create meaningful change. This allows us to be fully invested and available before, during, and after sessions. Please see the program page for more information.
What can I expect sessions to look like?
Sessions are a collaborative effort. Founders determine their goals for the engagement, and we coach teams to these desired outcomes. We do not teach a preset curriculum—all interventions are customized to your unique circumstance and focus on changing core processes rather than superficial symptoms. Read our ultimate guide on cofounder coaching to learn more.
How long does it take to see results?
Some clients see results within the first session. On average, we recommend clients commit for a three month engagement as most individuals notice meaningful change in that amount of time. Our typical engagements last between 3 and 6 months or longer, depending on goals, complexity, and goodness of fit.
How do I get the most out of our sessions?
The founders who get the most out of our sessions: Bring thoughts and feelings related to their goals into each session, take individual notes during session, and practice implementing skills outside of meetings. They also eliminate all distractions during sessions, embrace honesty and vulnerability, and leverage their curiosity to seek greater self-understanding.
Do you work with individuals?
Yes! Our coaches are experienced in working with solo founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and VC’s. Please let us know your goals and we will build you a custom solution! Read more about Dr. Matt.
Start Scaling Faster, Stronger, Smarter
Unlock 40+ pages of The Cofounder Effect, plus two high-impact tools that help you spot friction, fix alignment, and protect your next big milestone.
What’s Inside (and Why It Matters)
Exclusive 40+Page Excerpt: Reveal hidden dynamics that silently derail startups, and stop them before your next fundraise or launch event.
Cofounder Temperature Check (BONUS): A 15‑minute diagnostic to surface tension before it drains morale, execution, or investor confidence.
Conflict Conversation Starter Kit (BONUS): Plug‑and‑play scripts to restore trust fast—because unresolved issues don’t fix themselves.
Proven by Top Founders
Built on 6+ years coaching 100+ founders from YC‑ and a16z‑backed startups
Don’t Let Friction Cost You
Contact us now if you want
✔ A shared script for hard conversations that rebuilds trust fast
✔ Decision tools that feel fair, not reactive or lopsided
✔ Clarity on the patterns that keep you stuck and how to shift them
✔ A work dynamic grounded in values, not just survival
✔ Tools to stay connected under pressure without burning out
✔ A clear map of how your cofounder thinks and reacts
✔ Communication habits that reduce tension and create traction
✔ Energy, creativity, and momentum in your relationship again