What is a fair equity grant for a first engineer?

For a pre-seed company, the first non-founder engineer typically receives 1.0% to 2.5% of the company's equity, vesting over four years with a one-year cliff. This depends on their experience and how early they join.

Should I pay candidates for a work sample test?

Yes. If a take-home assignment requires more than 60-90 minutes of focused work, you should offer to pay the candidate for their time. It shows you respect their expertise and are serious about the process.

Should I use a recruiter for my first 10 hires?

No. The founder must be the primary recruiter for the first 15-20 hires. No one can sell the vision and mission with the same authenticity, and the process forces you to clarify your own thinking.

What's the difference between 'culture fit' and 'values alignment'?

'Culture fit' often becomes a lazy proxy for hiring people who look and think like you, leading to homogenous teams. 'Values alignment' is about finding people who share your core principles on how to work (e.g., speed, transparency, ownership), which fosters a diverse team united by a common mission.

When should I hire my first salesperson?

Hire your first salesperson only after you, the founder, have successfully sold the product yourself to at least 5-10 initial customers. You need to write the first page of the playbook before you can hire someone to run it.

What is a fair equity grant for a first engineer?

For a pre-seed company, the first non-founder engineer typically receives 1.0% to 2.5% of the company's equity, vesting over four years with a one-year cliff. This depends on their experience and how early they join.

Should I pay candidates for a work sample test?

Yes. If a take-home assignment requires more than 60-90 minutes of focused work, you should offer to pay the candidate for their time. It shows you respect their expertise and are serious about the process.

Should I use a recruiter for my first 10 hires?

No. The founder must be the primary recruiter for the first 15-20 hires. No one can sell the vision and mission with the same authenticity, and the process forces you to clarify your own thinking.

What's the difference between 'culture fit' and 'values alignment'?

'Culture fit' often becomes a lazy proxy for hiring people who look and think like you, leading to homogenous teams. 'Values alignment' is about finding people who share your core principles on how to work (e.g., speed, transparency, ownership), which fosters a diverse team united by a common mission.

When should I hire my first salesperson?

Hire your first salesperson only after you, the founder, have successfully sold the product yourself to at least 5-10 initial customers. You need to write the first page of the playbook before you can hire someone to run it.

Startup Hiring Guide: How to Hire Your First 10 Employees

A tactical guide for founders on hiring their core team. Learn how to source, interview, and close the first 10 hires that will define your startup's success.

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