Quite often, when a person thinks he has a great idea that should be implemented, the first thing he does is to find a business partner. What he normally does is to talk to his best friend and then co-found a startup. Once the startup is up and running, lots of conflicts flare up.
The Founders realise that they cannot work together!! It never occurs to them that they are too similar in terms of skill sets and personality traits. Running a business is not going out dining and drinking, it requires different skill sets to build it up long term. Having friends as co-founders mean that there may be important skills lacking.
Another fatal mistake is that they did not spend enough time defining the legal authority and power each will have. Many times, the co-founders have 50:50 shares in the startup and the two become directors. This shareholding percentage means that when there is shareholder dispute and no-body wishes to back off, the startup will be in a stand still because no decision could be made. Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, simple matters require an ordinary resolution to approve i.e. 50% + 1 vote. For material decision e.g. putting the company into liquidation, at least 75% votes must be in favor of the resolution. When one founder refuses to show up and co-operate, this means the end of the startup with lots of legal matters hanging around.