The problem with co-founder sites and meetups is successful startups are usually formed by people who knew each other beforehand. This makes it difficult for solo founders who don't have skilled people in their network interested in such things.
An alternative idea would be to create a 1-3 month program for entrepreneurs and programmers to learn new skills, etc., but also to network and meet potential cofounders.
I met my co-founder and, after a 4hr conversation, decided I wanted him as a partner. We started working together within 3 weeks and its been smooth sailing for 1.5 years. We have already reached 7 figure revenue. Sometimes you meet people and you realize you are just on the same page with how you view things.
I think more often, the outcome is that while you're on the same page the rest of the book turns out to be very different. Glad it worked out for you though!
Definitely you are lucky. I personally feel an co-founder should be like a natural selection. Their is no right or the wrong way, if their is an mutual flow, things going to work great.
Thanks for the suggestion. Yes I agree that knowing each other beforehand is strongly desired. However, when you really reduce it down to the actual reason, I think it comes to trust. Knowing someone and working alongside them builds a trust relationship that carries you through. It's becoming apparent through the responses of the survey that the platform will have to address building this trust level , whether that's through a short term program with networking, or something else - i'm going to work to figure it out!
An alternative idea would be to create a 1-3 month program for entrepreneurs and programmers to learn new skills, etc., but also to network and meet potential cofounders.