Experience matters for some roles, but for early hires in a startup, aptitude and belief in the mission are often more important than experience.

Hiring for raw intelligence and ambition is more important than hiring for expertise, especially in early-stage companies.

Hiring should prioritize passion for the mission and the ability to connect with the company's goals over traditional qualifications.

The first hires in a startup should be motivated by the same passion as the founders, rather than being managed like traditional employees.

Startups should prioritize finding the right team members, as this is crucial for long-term success, even if it means taking more time in the hiring process.

When hiring for your startup, look for candidates who demonstrate flexibility in their ideas and are willing to consider different paths, treating the startup as a problem-solving mission rather than just a job.

At the early stage of your startup, it's important to think about culture because the first 20 employees will shape the company's cultural DNA and influence future hiring and training.

As a startup, you often can't offer competitive salaries, so focus on what you can provide that is more valuable, like passion and personal growth opportunities.

In the early stages of a startup, prioritize hiring individuals with a multidisciplinary skill set, as they will need to handle various tasks across different areas of the business.