{"id":227,"date":"2023-02-18T16:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-18T16:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ajiabraham.com\/?p=227"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:31:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:31:55","slug":"how-recruit-developers-equity-startup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.codeventures.com\/blog\/how-recruit-developers-equity-startup\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find and Recruit Developers with Equity for Your Startup?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you are starting out, equity for your startup might be the only currency you have to trade to others for the services that your organization needs to take off<\/span><\/span>. Many cash-strapped startups cannot pay with cash in the pre-funding stage. <\/span>Besides, when your partners own part of the company, everybody’s interests <\/span><\/span>are aligned<\/span><\/span> and the potential for success increases<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are way too many tech startups looking for tech co-founder<\/a>s or finding a programmer for your startup and developers to work for equity<\/span><\/span>. So you can improve your odds of finding a programmer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you are looking for a rock star developer or technical cofounder for your app startup, here are some ways to find developers to work for equity<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Paying with Equity<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The idea of paying for services with equity means that you pay for services by offering shares of your company instead of money<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>The main idea is that when your business takes off, the people that helped you out can then sell their shares at a profit<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Alternatively<\/span><\/span>, they could keep the shares and have more of a say in how your business operates going forward<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In some ways, everybody wins with equity. <\/span>The startup wins because they get the services that they need to create the first models that they can then use to pitch for more funding<\/span><\/span>.<\/span>\"equity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The people that work for equity can win because if the company takes off, they can end up making more money than they would have made working for cash<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>They can also hold onto their shares and make a valuable partner more <\/span><\/span>easily<\/span><\/span> than they could have tried to partner with a more established business<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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So, why doesn\u2019t everyone work for equity?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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For one thing, it\u2019s a huge gamble. <\/span>If developers work for a startup in exchange for equity alone, and the startup goes under, the developers lose <\/span><\/span>all of<\/span><\/span> the time that they put in and <\/span><\/span>are left<\/span><\/span> holding worthless shares<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If startups rely too much on equity and their company does make it big, they can end up losing the company to predatory shareholders<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Normally<\/span><\/span> developers with full-stack dev expertise make very good money working with funded companies with low risk<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Many of the tech experts are already working on their own startups or some side hustle.\u00a0<\/span>For everyone involved, funding with equity is a balancing act with huge risks and huge rewards<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now that we have a better understanding of how equity works, how do you find developers that work for equity?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Starting the Conversation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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We\u2019ll talk about a couple of ways to look for developers willing to work for equity, but there are a couple of general things that you should do first<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For one thing, you should have done the homework on your product. You should be able to show, in solid numbers, how, when, and why your product is going to become profitable. <\/span>Any decent developer willing to work for equity will want to see your market projections on things like the size of your audience, the cost of development, your revenue streams<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>When those revenue streams will result in shares of a company that is worth the time that they are going to put into getting your app to that point<\/span><\/span>. They get pitched often with new startup ideas. So do your homework to stand out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"equity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>You should also run the math on your share structure.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How many shares do you have?<\/span>\u00a0already promised? and\u00a0<\/span>can you afford to give to anyone person while managing the risk of losing control?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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All of<\/span><\/span> these are things that you should <\/span><\/span>firmly<\/span><\/span> understand before offering equity to developers<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Now that that\u2019s out of the way, how do you find <\/span>all of<\/span><\/span> these developers willing to work for equity?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Attend Startup Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This option, as well as the next option, are avenues that you may have limited access to, depending on your geographic location<\/span><\/span>. If there are startup events in your area, this can be a great way to network with other startups. To get a handle on who they work with and how they pay for that work. These events can also be ways to attract developers looking for work.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Most developers don\u2019t go into business to work with startups. <\/span>Many developers looking to work with startups will be willing to work for equity if the right opportunity comes along<\/span><\/span>. Look for events like: <\/span><\/div>\n
StartupGrind <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Startup Meetups <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Startup weekends <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Built-in Brews <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hackathons<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Techstar events, and different school events.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Equity<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
If there aren\u2019t startup events in your immediate area. <\/span>Consider tapping into your resources and connections to see if there is enough interest in your area for you to start hosting<\/span><\/span>. Encouraging events like this in your area can encourage more startups. And encourage a greater community of developers in your area. <\/span>All of<\/span><\/span> this creates a healthier ecosystem for the technology sector in your region. Learn more about How Much Equity Should You Offer Your Startup\u2019s Advisors<\/a>?<\/span><\/div>\n

Attend Developer Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Just<\/span><\/span> like there are startup events attended by developers, you can attend developer’s events as a startup<\/span><\/span>. You won\u2019t have developers coming to you, so you\u2019ll have to have your pitch ready.<\/span><\/div>\n

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However<\/span><\/span>, these events can be a good way to get easy access to a large number of developers all in one place.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Unfortunately, being a startup, it can be harder for you to be <\/span><\/span>personally<\/span><\/span> involved in bringing these events to your area if you don\u2019t live in a tech center<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Browse Online Communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Those first two options are great for startups that are particularly interested in working with developers in their immediate facility<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However<\/span><\/span>, if you are willing to outsource your development team, you can always find developers willing to work for equity by looking in online communities<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Equity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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One of the easiest ways to find developers to work for you is through job platforms. Unfortunately, these don\u2019t let you pay with startup equity<\/a> and frown on your paying for work off-platform. Instead, consider online communities like the following. There are many others like them but these are our favorites.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

CoFoundersLab<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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CoFoundersLab is a free online community of entrepreneurs. <\/span>It doesn\u2019t give you direct access to developers but it does give you access to hundreds of thousands of other entrepreneurs and their experience<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Members also get access to monthly masterclasses and regular email newsletters full of helpful advice and industry information<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Founder2be<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Founder2be is another free online community meant for people interested in starting or finding startups<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Unlike CoFoundersLab, it can put you in direct contact with developers willing to work with startups <\/span><\/span>. Thus, <\/span>potentially<\/span><\/span> willing to work for equity. In fact, it also connects you with other looking-for-work experts like marketers. It\u2019s not as large or well-known a community as CoFoundersLab but it is much more diverse.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

FounderDating<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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FounderDating <\/span><\/span>is kind of<\/span><\/span> like CoFoundersLab in that it is more geared toward executive types than developers<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>It might not be the place to actually find developers but there are great networking opportunities<\/span><\/span>. One great thing that FounderDating does that CoFoundersLab doesn\u2019t is offer certifications. That\u2019s one good way to help potential developers know that you\u2019re serious and you know what you\u2019re talking about.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Founders Nation<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Founders Nation is another site like Founder2be that is <\/span><\/span>actively<\/span><\/span> interested in connecting startups with people like developers and marketers<\/span><\/span>. As a result, it is a potential site to visit to meet with developers interested in working for equity. Again, you might even fill some other empty seats in your company while you\u2019re there.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Paying for Exposure<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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All of<\/span><\/span> the options that we\u2019ve looked at so far have been free. If you can spend some money looking for people who work for equity, you can still save in the long run. The next couple of options will cost some cash but can also pay off big.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Startup Studios<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Startup studios are kind of like the high-tech version of business incubators. <\/span>They create their own micro-economies by bringing many startups together in one place so that they can share expertise and resources<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>This also creates an atmosphere that is attractive to people looking to work for startups in exchange for equity<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Once again, startup studios do cost money, but they\u2019re also designed to compound your investment and turn your startup into a profitable business<\/span><\/span>. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle to joining startup studios for many people is accessing. <\/span>They aren\u2019t super common right now and, while they\u2019re catching on <\/span><\/span>quickly<\/span><\/span>, they\u2019re still a thing that not everyone has easy access<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Proto Camp<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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The Netherlands based ProtoCamp is a platform <\/span><\/span>specifically<\/span><\/span> meant for connecting entrepreneurs with people interested in designing prototypes for them<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>In other words, forget <\/span><\/span>just<\/span><\/span> looking for developers, these people will take the entire prototype stage completely off of your hands<\/span><\/span>. The downside? <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While the platform does offer some free guides and resources, actually using the platform is pretty expensive<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>It\u2019s on a per-week basis, so if you\u2019re confident that you can find someone right away, you can budget your time and money on the platform pretty <\/span><\/span>effectively<\/span><\/span>. It costs around $10K for 4 weeks’ worth of development.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

CodeVentures<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Codeventures is a startup studio for non-technical founders building tech startups. With Codeventures, you apply and they have the option to take up your startup development. <\/span>From there, there are a couple of different packages that you can choose from based on how involved you want to be from that point on<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Which package you choose determines how much you pay and how much equity you give. For example, you can get an MVP developed for $4K and 10% equity. It is a compromise between all equity and all cash. It isn\u2019t free, but it\u2019s a great option for doing anything from finding coders to finding a complete ready-made team.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tradeshows and Expos<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Trade shows and expos can be a great way to network with startups, big names, developers, and marketers. To get your name out to enthusiasts in your field as well as <\/span>potentially<\/span><\/span> catch the eyes of the press. It can be harder to find developers at these events because they aren\u2019t <\/span>just<\/span><\/span> for developers and startups.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However<\/span><\/span>, that bigger atmosphere attracts bigger crowds that you can use for more versatile purposes<\/span><\/span>. Unfortunately, expos and tradeshows options cost money. The more you want access to, the more you\u2019ll end up paying. That doesn\u2019t mean that it can\u2019t be worth it. If you have an MVP. It is worth to showcase it at these events to get in front of customers and partners. You need talented developers for app development and you must learn How to Avoid Hiring a Bad Programmer for Your Startup<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are a lot of options out there. <\/span>Which one you choose depends on your resources, your need, and your ability to access different venues<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>However<\/span><\/span>, the point remains the same: there is hope for startups looking to work with developers for equity<\/span><\/span>. Go get them.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

App Development for Equity: Turning Ideas into Products Without Upfront Capita<\/strong>l<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It sounds like a lot of fun to start a business from scratch, but then you check your bank account. In the beginning, most founders don’t have a lot of money. It can feel like you can’t hire a whole development team or agency. That’s when making applications for stocks is a smart and useful thing to do. You don’t have to spend a lot of money up front. Instead, you collaborate with people who believe in your idea and want to help you create it in exchange for a piece of the firm. This approach of making applications for equity enables companies to keep going without spending all of their money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But building apps for equity isn’t just about saving money. It changes the overall relationship between the founder and the developer. When developers have equity, they care about more than just getting paid for their work. They care about what happens. Because their salary is contingent on how well the business does, they think about topics like how to make the business bigger, how to make the product fit the market, how to keep users, and how to grow over time. That shared responsibility often leads to better technical judgments and a stronger commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not very proficient with technology, making an app for equity can be the difference between a decent idea and a working product. A lot of great ideas never get off the ground because the individual who came up with them can’t make them happen on their own and can’t afford the regular costs of development. When you pick app development for equity<\/strong>, you build a relationship based on shared risk and return instead of short-term contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method needs to be explicit, of course. You should write down what you expect. It’s crucial to have fair equity splits. You have to make plans. Developers will want to see a clear plan, fair estimations, and a solid commitment before they agree to work under an app development for equity<\/strong> deal. If you do it right, app development for equity can help you build not only an app but also a team of people who are willing to work together to grow the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a Real Partnership with Equity
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Hiring a developer for equity isn’t just a decision about who to hire; it’s the start of a collaboration. When someone chooses to labor for shares instead of a steady paycheck, they are trusting you as well. They are putting their time, talent, and knowledge into something that hasn’t worked yet. You should always be honest, open, and respectful with someone who is that committed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start that conversation, take a step back and make sure you know everything there is to know about your business. Be clear about what you’re making, who it’s for, and why it really matters. Developers hear a lot of business ideas<\/a>, so what makes yours different is not just the idea, but also how clear and ready you are. If you can clearly articulate your vision, market potential, and how you’ll make money, it shows that you’re serious and ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also crucial to make your expectations clear. Set up the equity, roles, duties, and deadlines. Make sure both sides feel safe and on the same page from the start by putting agreements in paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust should be your top priority. Good developers want to work on projects that matter and with entrepreneurs they believe in. You will develop something far stronger together if you treat them like actual partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you are starting out, equity for your startup might…
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