Most startup hiring is backwards. You write a job description, post it everywhere, and hope the right person somehow finds it. When they don't, you hire whoever shows up, and 6 months later, you're having "the conversation" about fit, wondering where it went wrong. It went wrong at the beginning, because you tried to hire without designing what you were hiring for. Think about it - you'd never launch a product without validating market fit. You'd never sell something without understanding what customers actually want. Yet startups launch roles every day without asking "is anyone exceptional is actually going to buy this?" As a result, 50% of all startup hires fail. Not because founders can't find talented people, but because the opportunity itself was never designed to be a success. At Scouut, we treat every critical hire like a product launch. We validate Employer Market Fit (your company's actual appeal to great talent), establish Role Market Fit (structuring the role so high performers find it compelling), and define your Ideal Candidate Profile (who delivers what you need, what drives them, where they are). Then we craft a narrative so magnetic that those very same people can't refuse. It's almost as if it was designed just for them (it was). In numbers, that means: - 2-3 weeks to fill critical roles, not months - 90%+ offer acceptance instead of ~70%. - <1% mis-hire rate instead of 50%. After 300+ critical placements for startups backed by Blackbird, Square Peg, AirTree, BOND, General Catalyst, and more, the pattern is clear: exceptional people only consider exceptional opportunities. We'll guarantee that your's are exceptional. Currently partnering with Pre-Seed to Series C startups, helping with design & delivery for critical Founding, Senior+ IC, and Leadership hires, and VC funds looking to support world class team builds within their portfolio. Reach out today to start designing opportunities your dream candidates can't say no to.