The Cofounder Code: Building Partnerships That Scale
What makes or breaks a startup often comes down to one thing: the cofounder dynamic.
Join Tanis Jorge, serial entrepreneur and cofounder of identity unicorn Trulioo, for an inside look at what it really takes to build lasting cofounder partnerships. With two decades of experience launching and scaling data-driven ventures, Tanis has seen how even the strongest business ideas can fall apart without alignment at the top.
Now, as founder of The Cofounder’s Hub and author of The Cofounder’s Handbook (a USA Today Top 10 Business Book for 2024), Tanis is pioneering new tools to help founders get this relationship right. She’ll share her journey from startup to unicorn, and introduce practical resources she’s developed, including an AI-powered cofounder compatibility assessment, a research-backed equity calculator created in partnership with Northeastern University, and a framework for building trust, clarity, and resilience between partners.
Whether you're currently building with a cofounder or planning to bring one on, this session will offer fresh perspective and actionable strategies for one of the most overlooked but mission-critical aspects of your startup journey.
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Tanis Jorge is a leading authority on cofounder partnerships and a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling successful ventures from startup to exit.
Over the past two decades, Tanis has cofounded and grown four data-driven companies, culminating in Trulioo—now the world’s leading identity verification company—where she served as cofounder and Chief Operating Officer. Under her leadership, she laid the groundwork and built the foundation for what would become a $1.65B unicorn, following a record-breaking Series D raise. She is widely recognized for her pivotal role in shaping Trulioo into one of the most innovative and influential companies in global identity technology.
Today, Tanis is widely regarded as the thought leader on cofounder relationships. She is the author of The Cofounder’s Handbook (named one of USA Today’s Top 10 Business Books to Scale Your Business in 2024) and the founder of The Cofounder’s Hub, a first-of-its-kind platform helping entrepreneurial partners launch, build, and successfully exit businesses together.
In addition to her advisory work, Tanis is an active angel investor, backing pre-seed and early-stage startups with a focus on strong cofounder dynamics and scalable potential. She is a sought-after advisor to both founders and investors, offering deep insight into startup relationships, operational strategy, and founder alignment from pre-seed through Series D.
Tanis has spoken on center stage at global tech conferences such as Web Summit Lisbon and Web Summit Vancouver, and been invited to share her expertise with organizations including Tiger 21, YPO, and EO. She’s also a frequent podcast guest and contributor to discussions on the human dynamics behind entrepreneurial success.
Beyond business, Tanis is deeply committed to causes she believes in. She serves on the Board of Ally Global, an organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and supporting survivors. She also sits on the Board of Unbound, a trailblazing nonprofit reimagining education for the next generation.
Tanis lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband, David Jorge—MasterChef Canada Season 2 winner—and their two sons. A lifelong learner and mentor, she also founded Live Learn Launch Academy, an entrepreneurship-focused private school where she continues to mentor students.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
Guests Are Welcome!
Please bring a guest! Every member can bring one (1) guest to each event. Each guest must be a full-time tech startup founder so they can bring new perspectives, skillsets, and experience to your chapter.
All guests must be full-time tech startup founders and you can register them directly on this function page. See How to Register a Guest here.
Confidentiality Policy:
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity.