Competence mapping; why, how and a practical guide
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Many startups begin their journey with a patchwork of technical resources - freelancers, agencies, offshore teams, or technical co-founders splitting their time between multiple projects. While this approach validates product-market fit and conserves capital, it introduces specific challenges that become critical as you scale.
- Freelancer limitations: While freelancers can be cost-effective, they may lack long-term commitment, deep product ownership, or availability when you need them most.
- MVP stagnation: Bootstrapped products often hit a ceiling, where quick fixes or piecemeal solutions slow progress and technical debt creeps up.
- Scaling post-funding: With a new funding round or revenue growing, expectations rise. Investors, customers, and your roadmap demand full-time technical leadership and execution.
At this stage, it’s clear: ad hoc solutions won’t get you to the next level. You need dedicated, motivated technical expertise to scale your startup successfully.
This guide is designed to help you consider how to build your first technical team. Whether you’re at the stage of identifying exactly which skills are critical for your next (or first) hires, stuck deciding between a founding engineer and a CTO, or drafting a job description that attracts the right candidates, this resource provides a framework.
By the end, you’ll be able to answer:
- Is my company ready for a full-time technical hire or hires?
- Should I hire a founding engineer, a CTO, or both?
- What skills, experience, and mindset should I prioritize?
- How do I write a job description to attract the right candidates?
- What should it cost?
This guide, written by an expert who has been there, is intended to save you time and help you feel more confident in your approach.
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