Deconstructor of Fun 317. Inside the Hiring Playbook of Top-Performing Startups
Jan 5, 2026
In this episode, Joe Burridge, Head of Talent at Play Ventures, and Miki Blasko, Head of Talent at Deconstructor of Fun, delve into the strategic importance of hiring in startups. They discuss how founders often underestimate the effort required and the importance of selling roles to attract top talent. The duo explores the tension between culture and competence, revealing what defines a successful hire. They also highlight the red flags of hiring from big corporations and the need for structured processes to avoid costly mistakes in talent acquisition.
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Treat Hiring As A Strategic Founder Task
- Do treat hiring as a founder-level strategic project and plan the roles, culture, and hiring process before posting jobs.
- Do budget time and resources for selling the company to candidates, not just posting roles.
Mission Trumps Salary Often
- Money alone doesn't guarantee A-players; mission and learning opportunities often motivate talent more than salary.
- Founders should lean into mission, long-term incentives, and growth opportunities when they can't match big-company pay.
Use Role Breadth And Investor Endorsements
- Do use equity, broad role scope, decision velocity, and investor endorsements to sell senior candidates.
- Do arrange conversations between finalists and lead investors to share the investment thesis and commitment.
