language choice for dynamic website given our skills
nmp0906: If you want to leverage your existing collective talent, choosing java is an easy choice.  If your co-founder wishes to learn something new & different or you have a specific use case where python-based frameworks make more sense, then you choose this route.  Both languages have their pluses and minuses.  Without getting into a language war, choose to leverage existing ability, the best for your use case, or the one that will be most fun and interesting.  After all, if this venture takes off, it is a language you will most likely be stuck with for some time.