Co-founder disputes are a top killer of startups. But with AI providing the leverage of a full team, a new wave of "seedstrappers" is rising fast. Could going solo actually be a safer bet than a "forced co-founder marriage"?



Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner at Indelible Ventures, joins BFM’s P&L to kick off our 4-part series on "The New Math of Business Building, Powered by AI." We unpack startling new data showing that 36% of new startups in the first half of 2025 were solo-founded (up from <24% in 2019), suggesting a structural shift driven by AI leverage.



We discuss:




The "Reliability" Myth: Kevin explains why VCs historically avoided solo founders due to lack of expertise and support structures, but argues that a bad co-founder "marriage" is often riskier than going it alone.


AI as the Ultimate Lever: How AI tools allow individuals to launch complex tech businesses (like SaaS and HealthTech) that previously required a full C-suite, fundamentally changing the "time-to-MVP."


Distribution > Product: With AI shortening the time to build and copy products, Kevin argues the real value has shifted entirely to distribution, a game where incumbents like Google currently have the upper hand.


The Speed Advantage: Solo founders are dictatorships, not democracies. We discuss how this allows for faster decision-making and why solo founders are reaching priced rounds quicker than teams.


The "Seedstrapping" Trend: A look at the new model for 2026 where founders skip pre-seed rounds, maintain larger equity stakes, and use that equity to hire top-tier talent instead of bringing on co-founders.


The Southeast Asia Angle: While the trend is US-centric, Kevin highlights the "leapfrog" opportunity for ASEAN founders to build B2B solutions that integrate seamlessly into corporate structures.


Ambition vs. Lifestyle: A critical look at the risks: will solo founders in Southeast Asia cash out early for a "lifestyle business" once they hit financial comfort, rather than aiming for regional domination?

Co-founder disputes are a top killer of startups. But with AI providing the leverage of a full team, a new wave of "seedstrappers" is rising fast. Could going solo actually be a safer bet than a "forced co-founder marriage"?Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner at Indelible Ventures, joins BFM’s P&amp;L to kick off our 4-part series on "The New Math of Business Building, Powered by AI." We unpack startling new data showing that 36% of new startups in the first half of 2025 were solo-founded (up from &lt;24% in 2019), suggesting a structural shift driven by AI leverage.We discuss:<ul><li>The "Reliability" Myth: Kevin explains why VCs historically avoided solo founders due to lack of expertise and support structures, but argues that a bad co-founder "marriage" is often riskier than going it alone.</li><li>AI as the Ultimate Lever: How AI tools allow individuals to launch complex tech businesses (like SaaS and HealthTech) that previously required a full C-suite, fundamentally changing the "time-to-MVP."</li><li>Distribution &gt; Product: With AI shortening the time to build and copy products, Kevin argues the real value has shifted entirely to distribution, a game where incumbents like Google currently have the upper hand.</li><li>The Speed Advantage: Solo founders are dictatorships, not democracies. We discuss how this allows for faster decision-making and why solo founders are reaching priced rounds quicker than teams.</li><li>The "Seedstrapping" Trend: A look at the new model for 2026 where founders skip pre-seed rounds, maintain larger equity stakes, and use that equity to hire top-tier talent instead of bringing on co-founders.</li><li>The Southeast Asia Angle: While the trend is US-centric, Kevin highlights the "leapfrog" opportunity for ASEAN founders to build B2B solutions that integrate seamlessly into corporate structures.</li><li>Ambition vs. Lifestyle: A critical look at the risks: will solo founders in Southeast Asia cash out early for a "lifestyle business" once they hit financial comfort, rather than aiming for regional domination?</li></ul>

From securing funding to optimising financial performance and cash flows, here on P&L we help decode the language of money and empower entrepreneurs, startup founders, and the c-suite with practical insights, expert advice, and powerful tools to help businesses navigate the  complexities of business finances.

Advertisement