PERSONAL STORY

Julia has a long history with tech. In the first phase of her career, she spent 20 years in tech innovation.

At 19 years old, she completed a robotics internship. Her team put email on the Blackberry... Management consultant at Price Waterhouse. She was an advisor to fast-paced tech companies, as well being part of the senior management team of 2 successful exits, the latest being Datamonitor which was sold to Informa for $1B in 2008.

She built teams in 70 countries and is fluent in English, German and Spanish. Thereafter, Julia went back to school for psychology and now advises Founding teams, as well as organizations, on talent, growth and innovation challenges. During her work with a local accelerator, she found a 67% company breakup rate because of “CoFounder conflict”.

Her latest endeavour, CoFounderworx, is the first data-driven compatibility test to help CoFounders better choose a partner. Angel investors, Founders and some VCs use this platform to make better team and investment decisions.

"CoFounderworx’s research led to the development of the only science-based leadership assessment designed for cofounder compatibility, success and failure."

~ Julia McNamara, CEO at CoFounderworx

“I have used the survey and tools offered and found them insightful and helpful. It offers practical and effective guidelines for how to navigate in the founding team and with oneself. Overall, a highly recommended solution”

~ Yuri van Geest, Founder of Singularity University NL

Q: Why did you choose your present industry at this time? 

Recent work with a global accelerator showed that 67% of teams fail due to cofounder conflict, often within three years of their start-up. Were such leadership failures inevitable in an entrepreneurial society, or could they be prevented? CoFounderworx’s research led to the development of the only science-based leadership assessment designed for cofounder compatibility, success and failure. Using their outcomes, companies and investors can put strategies in place before conflict and inefficiency arise.

Q: What is the best/worst moment you can remember in your career?

I moved to Germany after the Berlin Wall fell, it was such an exciting time. I didn't have a job, speak German or know anyone professionally, but I had great expectations. Four years later, I was still in Germany. The fifth year was spent in Spain. Ole!