AI for Founders with Jake Johnson | Bolto

Podcast Show Notes: AI for Founders with Jake Johnson, Co-Founder of Bolto

Episode Summary

Ryan Estes sits down with Jake Johnson, co-founder of Bolto, to explore how AI is transforming global hiring and HR. They cover Bolto’s rapid growth, employer of record services, team diversity, and how to build in public without fear.

Key Takeaways

• Transparency builds accountability. Execution beats secrecy.
• EORs make global hiring easy, legal, and scalable.
• AI-driven interviews streamline recruiting worldwide.
• YC support and co-founder alignment drive startup momentum.
• Pricing: $500/month per international EOR hire, market rate for recruiting.
• Global compliance is critical. Misclassify employees and pay the price.
• Diverse teams solve complex problems more effectively.
• Philosophy matters. Critical thinking helps navigate AI ethics.
• Cursor AI boosts engineering productivity exponentially.
• The future: filtered avatars, language translation, boundaryless talent.

Frameworks

Build in Public

• Share your roadmap and progress
• Accept public accountability
• Out-execute competitors who know your plans

Hiring Strategy

• Use EOR for long-term, embedded roles
• Use contractor model for short-term work
• Validate local compliance based on country laws

Bolto HR Stack

1. Source Talent
2. AI-Powered Interviews
3. Hire and Onboard
4. Manage Payroll and Benefits
5. Stay Globally Compliant

Resources

• Bolto Website
• Jake Johnson on LinkedIn
• Jake on Twitter (X)
• Y Combinator
• Cursor AI
• Kitcaster
• PEO Benefits Explained
• Employer of Record Guide
• IRS: Contractor vs Employee
• Gartner on AI in HR