9 guides

Team, Hiring and Culture

At the early stage, investors often back the team before the product. These guides cover presenting your team, finding a technical co-founder, first hires, recruiting on a budget, share options, pay, overseas hiring, culture and contractors.

Included with every Future Founders and Founders Ticket, along with the whole library (117 guides, worth £2,925, 12 months' access).

The Team Investors Back

At seed, investors often back the team before the product.

£25

Finding a Technical Co Founder

Many non-technical founders struggle to find a technical partner.

£25

Your First Ten Hires

Your first ten hires set the culture and standard for everyone after them.

£25

Recruiting on a Startup Budget

Startups compete for talent with employers who pay more.

£25

EMI Share Options

EMI is the UK's main tax-advantaged share option scheme for attracting staff, and its limits changed in April 2026.

£25

Paying People Well

Getting pay wrong costs you good people or burns cash.

£25

Hiring Beyond the UK

Hiring overseas brings visa, tax and employment rules that can catch founders out.

£25

Culture Before Scale

Culture forms whether you plan it or not, and it is hard to change later.

£25

Contractors and IR35

Using contractors carelessly can create tax bills and IP gaps that show up in diligence.

£25