Here comes a compelling partner.
The company looks solid. The founders are strong. Their existing product looks great.
But then come those 5 little words.
"Will you sign an NDA?"
At this stage, the answer is always "no".
Here's why:
The company looks solid. The founders are strong. Their existing product looks great.
But then come those 5 little words.
"Will you sign an NDA?"
At this stage, the answer is always "no".
Here's why:
1/ 🤫 You shouldn't be sharing confidential information this early. 🤫
It's just too early in our relationship for us to be sharing business secrets.
You don't open a first date with a non-disparagement agreement.
You chat about your interests and see if there's a match.
It's just too early in our relationship for us to be sharing business secrets.
You don't open a first date with a non-disparagement agreement.
You chat about your interests and see if there's a match.
1 cont/
Eventually, the two of you will need to share secrets.
But it's not a way to open a relationship.
There's almost always a way to start these conversations without the need for confidentiality.
Eventually, the two of you will need to share secrets.
But it's not a way to open a relationship.
There's almost always a way to start these conversations without the need for confidentiality.
2/ 📢 Your secrets probably aren't that secret. 📢
But what about the things you can't wait to share?
What about your idea itself?
This question is especially common with pre-launch founders.
But what about the things you can't wait to share?
What about your idea itself?
This question is especially common with pre-launch founders.
2 cont/
Before launch, founders are afraid to share anything without an NDA.
But the truth is, your idea itself isn't valuable.
You're almost certainly not the first person to have had it.
Keeping it secret just doesn't matter.
Before launch, founders are afraid to share anything without an NDA.
But the truth is, your idea itself isn't valuable.
You're almost certainly not the first person to have had it.
Keeping it secret just doesn't matter.
2 cont/
"But my idea is different!"
Okay. But if it's truly unique—if you're really the only person that's ever thought of it—then you're probably the only person that can execute it as well.
And that's what makes it valuable.
"But my idea is different!"
Okay. But if it's truly unique—if you're really the only person that's ever thought of it—then you're probably the only person that can execute it as well.
And that's what makes it valuable.
3/ 🥊 I'm not your competitor. 🥊
As a founder, you have to champion your ideas.
It's your job to love them—to believe in them with all your heart.
To you, the thing you're working on is the most valuable thing in the world.
But not to me.
As a founder, you have to champion your ideas.
It's your job to love them—to believe in them with all your heart.
To you, the thing you're working on is the most valuable thing in the world.
But not to me.
3 cont/
I'm a founder too.
I'm not running No Nerds because I have to—I'm running it because it's where I can create the most value.
Just like your startup is to you.
I'm a founder too.
I'm not running No Nerds because I have to—I'm running it because it's where I can create the most value.
Just like your startup is to you.
3 cont/
Are there scenarios where my existing partners might benefit from knowing your business secrets?
Sure—but that's the sort of confidential information you shouldn't be sharing until further along anyways.
Are there scenarios where my existing partners might benefit from knowing your business secrets?
Sure—but that's the sort of confidential information you shouldn't be sharing until further along anyways.
4/ 🤝 You shouldn't work with people you don't trust. 🤝
If you don't trust me enough to even talk about your idea without signing an NDA?
You shouldn't be talking to me.
If you don't trust me enough to even talk about your idea without signing an NDA?
You shouldn't be talking to me.
4 cont/
My business is my life. And my reputation is critical.
If your primary concern when entering a conversation is whether or not the person will use the information you share to cheat you:
Walk away.
My business is my life. And my reputation is critical.
If your primary concern when entering a conversation is whether or not the person will use the information you share to cheat you:
Walk away.
💁🏻♂️ My advice: don't worry about people stealing your secrets. 💁🏻♂️
Execute so well that it doesn't matter if they do.
When the time comes, sign a real contract.
Make the partnership binding, and give both parties a reason to hold true to the other.
Execute so well that it doesn't matter if they do.
When the time comes, sign a real contract.
Make the partnership binding, and give both parties a reason to hold true to the other.
I don't sign NDAs.
And you shouldn't either.
🙏 If you enjoyed the thread, follow me for more posts like this one. 🙏
And you shouldn't either.
🙏 If you enjoyed the thread, follow me for more posts like this one. 🙏
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