Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast ‘We don’t need to raise capital to grow’: Factorial CEO Jordi Romero
Aug 6, 2025
Jordi Romero, CEO and co-founder of Factorial, takes us through the company's remarkable evolution into a business management platform. He shares insights on scaling their team from 1,000 to 1,300 in tough market conditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit over flashy resumes. The conversation dives into innovative investment strategies that allow for growth without equity dilution and the role of AI in enhancing operations. Jordi offers refreshing takes on hiring passion over pedigree and the transformative nature of leadership in a fast-growing company.
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Rapid Hiring and Expansion
- Factorial hired 300 people in six months mainly in sales and product engineering.
- The company relocated talent to Barcelona and scaled physical office space to support growth.
Mid-Level Managers Are Key
- Mid-level management is a bottleneck in scaling fast-growth startups.
- Successful leaders often come from diverse industries and must adapt culturally.
Hire for Work Ethic
- Look for hires who demonstrate willingness to work hard and earn their spot.
- Focus on personal choices and persistence early in candidates' lives.