From Strangest Strangers to Co-Founders: The Co-Founder Journey with Sean & Sahan from Veslo

Starting a startup is anything but easy. It's messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright overwhelming. But when two people with the most unlikely backgrounds come together, the journey becomes even more interesting. We're Sean and Sahan, and we want to share the real ups and downs we've experienced ten months into this adventure of building Veslo.

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How It All Started

Having spent many years working around the world in the marine industry on deck and engineering, returning to NZ Sean started working for himself specialising in marine systems. Constantly frustrated at the lack of information and service history on these boats when servicing and repairing them, he searched for some software to manage and record this, after not finding anything he saw a real opportunity to bring something to the industry.

He knew he needed someone with technical expertise to bring it to life. He met Dan and Troy from Talent Army at Blackbird’s Sunrise Aotearoa event last year and shared his goals with them. Dan was incredible—over several coffee meetings and phone calls, he took the time to understand not only the business but also Sean as a person, getting a clear sense of what Sean was looking for. Once he was confident, he quickly shortlisted some exceptional candidates.

Meanwhile, Sahan was out there looking for a meaningful project to dive into. He had been working as a consultant for almost six years, building and leading projects that he genuinely loved. But there was always this nagging feeling when a project ended—the struggle of letting go, knowing there was an expiry date no matter how much he invested in it. Sahan wanted to build something lasting, something where he could control his own destiny. So when Mitch from Talent Army reached out about the opportunity and thought Sean and Sahan might hit it off, Sahan was open to meeting, though he wasn’t sure what to expect.

When they finally met, it wasn't some instant "Eureka!" moment. But as they talked, they realised we shared similar values and goals. Sean quickly saw that Sahan had the technical skills to make something incredible, and Sahan saw the potential in digitising an industry that had been lagging decades behind in innovation. Together, they started to shape Veslo—not just as a digital logbook, but as a way to connect an entire ecosystem. They knew they could make a difference!

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Getting to Know Each Other

After our first meeting, Sean had to fly to Germany for a show. Despite the time difference, we kept in touch almost every day—emailing back and forth, sharing previous work, and diving deeper into the problem we wanted to solve. One day, Sean ran into a crisis with his website and reached out to Sahan for help. The issue was with an old logo showing up and needing to update the domain.

Even though we were still just getting to know each other, Sahan jumped in to help resolve the issue - late on a Sunday night! This collaboration wasn't planned, it just happened naturally. It showed both of us that we were willing to support each other from the get-go.

That gesture wasn't just about fixing a website; it was about building trust early on. Looking back, it was a pivotal moment. It confirmed that we could work together effectively, even under pressure, and it was a sign of the trust we were already beginning to build.

We also shared plenty of banter and lighter moments. At one point, a meme we exchanged became an inside joke between us—it was then we knew we'd get along just fine. These interactions, both serious and humorous, helped build our rapport and made us comfortable working together.

The meme:

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The Tough Conversations

We knew we had to tackle the awkward stuff early on. So we sat down and discussed things like equity splits, roles, and expectations.

We agreed on a 50/50 split because we both wanted to be equally invested. We also talked openly about our weaknesses—Sean tends to take on too much and risk burning out, while Sahan can get lost in the details and sometimes needs a nudge to see the bigger picture.

We promised to watch out for each other and call it out if we saw the other slipping. These conversations weren't easy, but they were essential. Addressing potential issues upfront set the foundation for open communication and trust. That led us to the infamous “Retreat.”

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The Airbnb Retreat

‍To really make sure we were on the same page, we rented an Airbnb for a weekend. We went through a list of 50 questions designed for co-founders—covering everything from how we handle stress to our long-term goals. We cooked (and burned) some meals, had a few beers, and got into some deep conversations. It wasn't all serious; we had a lot of laughs too.

That weekend was huge. It confirmed that we could communicate openly, even about uncomfortable topics. It also showed that we could spend extended time together without wanting to kill each other. Plus, Sean now knows that Sahan snores—a good sign for co-founders(right?)!

This retreat wasn't just about business; it was about understanding each other as individuals. It solidified our partnership and set us up to face challenges head-on.

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Building Veslo Together

Fast forward six months, and here we are, knee-deep in building Veslo. It's been a rollercoaster. We've had days where we felt unstoppable and days where we questioned everything.

We've messed up, learned from our mistakes, and kept pushing forward. Celebrating small wins—like our first road trip, first customer, first investor meeting, successful test or positive user feedback—keeps us motivated.

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What We've Learned

If there's one thing we've realized, it's that having a co-founder you trust makes all the difference. Here's our advice for anyone thinking about starting something:

1. Take your time finding the right person: Don't rush into a partnership just because you're eager to get going.
2. Be honest from the start: Talk about your strengths, weaknesses, and what you each want out of this venture.
3. Have the tough conversations early: It's better to address potential issues upfront than to let them fester.
4. Make sure you actually like each other: You'll be spending a lot of time together, so it helps if you get along on a personal level.

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Want to Chat?

We're just two people who began as the strangest strangers—unconventional backgrounds, unique personalities, and a shared desire to go against the status quo. Now, we're partners building something we believe in. If our story resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you're starting your own venture, curious about what we're doing, or just want to share stories, feel free to reach out.

Email us: 

Sean: sean@veslo.com | Sahan: sahan@veslo.com

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Do what it takes! Go change the world for the better 🚀

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For more on finding a co-founder, check out this blog from Blackbird or 50 Questions for Co-Founders from First Round.