In the first part, I outlined why I believe filtering out potential co-founders based on whether they have a "good idea" might not be the best way to start companies. While I believe the best way to evaluate potential co-founders is to work together, often times the first steps in the process are quick introductions and elevator pitches. In this part, I outline some tips for looking at idea pitches as starting points to exploring potentially long-term working relationships rather than quick filters.

As Mike Kowalchik pointed out yesterday on the Greenhorn blog, the structure of standard entrepreneurial networking events where you're quickly pitching your idea may not be the best way to find a co-founder; when you're trying to find a business partner, there are many elements that have to come together for it work and many question you need to try to answer.  The amazing part about Startup Weekend is that many of those pieces can come together in just one weekend thanks to the event's unique structure.

If you are contemplating joining someone you've just met to start a company, there’s a tendency to use a ‘good idea filter’ on them. In many cases I’ve heard potential co-founders describe their meetings as “She was nice, we definitely clicked, I could work with her, but I’m not sure I buy her idea.” It seems like a lot of potential co-founders are looking for the so-obvious, lightning-strike idea and then, and only then, to connect together and start executing. Very few companies begin with such a foundation. Most ideas only seem obvious in hindsight.