I didn't see any mention of what he was offering, so why would you say "you want to offer almost nothing"?

Err, seems like your splitting hairs: "If you're looking for an hourly rate or a salary before funding, you've missed the point." insinuates exactly that. I for one don't see "very much" being offered here.

Edit: ...do you?

Well I see a person looking for a co-founder, so not getting a salary or wage comes with the territory. So I don't see the need to poop on him, he's not being dishonest with his offering. He said hes a wharton graduate, which is an elite business school and gives him a bit of credibility in terms of book smarts. He has a project under way, prototyped and market tested. He needs a technical partner.

Maybe the idea will interest someone, maybe someone here was thinking about the same thing but never got it started. It is what it is. What do you find "wrong" with his posting, maybe it will help clarify your criticism?

Hey, I didn't make the original comment. Its just, I get fed up of people "splitting hairs for splitting hair's sake" on yc. The ideal conversation flow would be minus yours, and my comments and have a response from the poster to the original comment. Gotta add value.

"This looks like every other business guy looking for a tech founder" is the important part. The fact that "significant equity stake is on the table for anyone who fits the bill" is missing from an otherwise pretty well thought out post makes me think that in fact, comparatively to 50%, they are going to "offer almost nothing".

But look, If I'd prototyped and market tested something, I'm not so sure I'd be prepared to give away 50% either. Just sayin.

"Maybe the idea will interest someone, maybe someone here was thinking about the same thing but never got it started. It is what it is. What do you find "wrong" with his posting, maybe it will help clarify your criticism?"

If I'm going to toil away on a project for NO PAY (which is a huge risk), it better damn well be for a huge chunk of the profits.

I have been around many business types and have seen developers put their hard work into something with little or no payoff.

My hunch is that he offers 5% or less, which is a joke.

Why put down a fair post with useless comments on a "hunch that he offers 5% or less"?

"Why put down a fair post with useless comments on a "hunch that he offers 5% or less"?"

Because he already stated that the co-founder gets no salary. He never mentioned the actual percentage, so it's a fair assumption.

Read OP: "But I 100% understand the value of a tech co-founder, and am not looking to be stingy with equity. I know I can't make it succeed on my own."

Not mentioning exact equity, how do you assume 5%!?!?

It is very common for cofounders at an early-stage startup to take no salary.

If you wouldn't do it for free, you aren't the right person for this project. Don't bash the guy for being upfront. His road is tough enough.

Early-stage founders should not expect an hourly rate or salary. That does NOT insinuate anything about "not much being offered" when the OP clearly states the willingness to be equitable.