?? How to Attract a Rockstar CTO with Equity ??

In the world of startups, finding the right CTO is a bit like dating—it’s about chemistry, connection, and mutual excitement. Unfortunately, too many founders approach it like an interrogation! ??

After working with startups as a growth expert for seven years, I’ve had countless chats with founders who are bootstrapping their ventures and offering equity instead of cash. ?? Some of the best places to start your search are platforms like Angellist, Producthunt and Loom —where I’ve connected with amazing people. These communities are gold mines for sparking conversations with potential candidates! ??

But, here’s what I see happening all too often:

?? Founder: "We want to build/market/launch XYZ and we’re looking for someone who can XYZ."

???? Me: "Sounds great, I checked out your company, and I think it has a lot of potential."

?? Founder: "Awesome! Can you tell me about your past work and how you might help us?"

???? Me: [explains experience and approach]

?? Founder: "Mmm, interesting…"

???? Me: "So, I noticed you mentioned a $60k budget on AngelList—does that sound right?"

?? Founder: "Well, once we’re funded! Right now, we’re bootstrapping…"

???? Me: "That’s cool, I’m flexible! How do you see this working?"

?? Founder: "We can offer equity. How much would you want?"

?? BIG mistake, dear founder! ??

You’ve lost me. Why? Because all you’ve done is talk about yourself. ?? You didn’t make your equity feel valuable. You don’t know what your company is worth. And, honestly, you wasted my time. ?

?? "Ideas are cheap, execution is everything." - Chris Sacca

What should you do? Inspire me! ?? Tell me a story. As the CEO, you need to constantly be in sales mode, selling your vision and why your equity is worth something.

Convince me your company is a rocketship! ?? Be humble and creative in making a deal that’s a win-win. Investors often say, “We invest in the team,” and they want to know what your key players have accomplished. They know if you can convince a top-notch talent to join you over high-paying jobs, you’re onto something. ????

You don’t need to lure in a former Google exec, but you DO need rockstars on your team. ?? Early on, it’s critical to bring in talent that’s not only exceptional but, in some cases, even smarter than you. ?? That’s what it takes to build something that’s 10x better than the competition. A great CTO is essential to achieving that.

So, how do you make it happen? ??

?? Find the best talent in the world. Don’t settle for mediocrity—hustle hard to find your CTO. Make it irresistible for them to want to work with you. Rockstar CTOs have options, and you’re up against companies that offer cool projects, equity, AND competitive pay. ??

Remember: it’s not just about them convincing you why they should work for your startup—you’ve got to sell them on why YOU are worth their time and effort. ????

If cash isn’t flowing yet, think outside the box. ?? Maybe your CTO can start as a side gig, working on your project during their downtime until things take off. If they’re truly amazing, make it happen—even if it means hiring a junior dev or intern to execute under their guidance. ????????

?? Key takeaways:

- Don’t hire the cheapest option ??

- Don’t settle for the first person willing to work for free ??

- Seek personal introductions and referrals, not just online scouting ??

- Find the BEST person you can ??

- Make them WANT to “date” you—sweeten the deal, and don’t be offended if they ask for more ??

Asking someone to build your tech for equity alone is a big leap of faith. You’re asking them to believe in you, to trust you. ? So be ready to become the best version of yourself, sell them on your vision, and inspire them to join you for the ride of a lifetime. ??

???? Let’s make it happen!