Remote Founding Engineers: Why the Best Talent Is Not in SF Anymore
The geography constraint died in 2021. Here is how to find exceptional founding engineers globally.
Why limiting your founding engineer search to SF/NYC is costing you the best talent. Learn how to hire remote founding engineers who outperform local candidates.
Who This Is For
This article challenges conventional wisdom about where to find founding engineers. It is for founders who want access to the best talent regardless of location. Startups that cannot afford SF/NYC engineering salaries will learn alternative strategies. Founders building remote-first companies from day one will find a roadmap for success. Key insights: Why top talent is leaving SF/NYC, where founding engineers are relocating, and how to build a competitive advantage with global hiring.
The Geography Myth
The reality most founders do not see: The best founding engineers are not concentrated in SF anymore. They are building from Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Berlin, and Singapore. They worked at unicorns, moved home, and now want interesting problems without SF cost of living. They are often 30-50% cheaper and more motivated than their SF counterparts. The geographic moat ended in 2021. Judgment and execution did not.
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