Remember we don't talk about commercial scale operations.
That being said, if you are asking these questions, I would not try to start out with expectations of any sort, since you will be learning a lot as you go along. Also, working with partners is a very difficult and risky business, and your risk rises exponentially with every person involved.

Ebb n flow is a pretty forgiving place to start hydro for the first time. I assume you already have enough experience that you have mother plants available? You will need them. There is a sticky in the Hydro section called 'Latewood's Legacy' that you should read, because it is a great step-by-step for getting your feet wet, as it were. Also read the link in my sig, and the one by Rhizome listed above.