Startup Careers

I’ve spent much of my career working inside high-growth startups and technology companies, from early-stage teams through hypergrowth, acquisitions, and global expansion. I’ve been the first or senior People leader at multiple startups, partnered directly with founders and executive teams, and experienced firsthand the ambiguity, rapid change, and career opportunities that come with startup environments. I can help clients navigate the realities of startup careers—from deciding whether a startup is the right fit, evaluating offers and equity, positioning themselves for their next role, building relationships with founders and executives, and figuring out how to stand out and grow when there isn’t a traditional career ladder. My coaching comes from having been both the person making hiring and promotion decisions and the person helping employees navigate them.

I have operated across all stages of tech from Series A through Series H through IPO and at mature companies. I have managed across all these stages and also have direct GM experience owning an 8-figure P&L before I was promoted to lead the entire company P&L. I am excited to support you in your journey irrespective of company stage or industry vertical!

I have lived the startup journey from the inside. I joined Vercel at the Series D stage with 400 employees, and over the past two years I have watched it raise another round and double in headcount. More importantly, I have grown with it. I came in as an entry-level SDR, earned a promotion to Senior SDR within my first year, and within the following year moved into managing the Startups SDR team. I have not just observed what it takes to grow fast inside a scaling startup, I have done it myself, navigating the pressure, the pace, and the pivots that come with that environment. That experience is exactly what I draw on when coaching others in this space.

I've worked in the start-up space for almost six years now, and it hasn't been a straight line. I've changed roles, switched teams, and taken on work that didn't have a job description yet when I started it. That kind of shifting around is just normal at a startup, and I've had to learn how to do it well instead of just white-knuckling through it. That's mostly what I help people with. If you're trying to get into the startup world for the first time, or you're already in one and need to move into a new role or team, it's the same problem underneath: nobody hands you a map, so you have to be able to explain clearly, to yourself and to whoever's hiring you, where you're headed and why you're the right person for it. I've helped people land their first job in tech, get promoted a few years in, move from SDR roles into AE, AM, and Success roles, and land offers at places like OpenAI, Customer.io, and Culture Amp. What I bring is knowing what it actually feels like to be in the middle of that kind of change, what's important to the leaders you want to win over, and how to use storytelling to seal the deal.

With an MBA from Chicago Booth and extensive experience across the startup and venture capital ecosystems, I specialize in helping candidates and founders navigate high-stakes career moves. As a Senior Associate Director & Industry Advisor at UC Berkeley, I have guided over 1,500 students and alumni through the competitive tech and VC landscape. My core expertise lies in offer evaluation and compensation strategy—helping advisees secure optimal titles, maximize base pay, and structure equity packages. Through strategic equity negotiation, I have helped my clients generate millions of dollars in long-term wealth. Whether you're evaluating a startup offer or preparing to negotiate your equity, I’m here to help you maximize your value.

Welcome to my profile! As a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple innovative startups, including Mintplex Labs and Whale Laboratories, I bring firsthand experience in navigating the dynamic world of startups. My journey through Y Combinator and my role in scaling AI and software products have equipped me with the insights needed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and startup professionals succeed. Whether you're looking to break into the startup scene or elevate your current venture, I'm here to provide tailored advice and strategic support. Let's connect and chart your path to success in the startup world!

🟢 From early 2020 to late 2025, I was fortunate to be the Chief Operating Officer at Airspace, a tech-enabled logistics company 🟢 During that period, we experienced ~10x organic growth, went from one US office to a dozen globally, and hired 100s of people 🟢 Where I'm able to offer the most guidance on the startup front is the following: 1️⃣ What to look for when targeting a startup (industries, roles, revenue models) 2️⃣ What to think about when preparing for or negotiating an offer 3️⃣ The most important aspects beyond compensation when deciding 4️⃣ What your role at a startup means for your opportunity set after the startup exits or you leave 🙋🏻‍♂️ Here to help!

Hello! I work with candidates targeting product and product-adjacent roles: founding PM, forward-deployed engineer, deployment strategist, chief of staff, and strategic projects. Clients and friends have landed at companies like Coinbase, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google. I was founding product lead on the global enterprise platform team at Quantinuum, a $17B advanced computing scale-up (NASDAQ: QNT). I shipped 0→1 API and on-prem security products, signed a $150B conglomerate as anchor customer, protected 3M users across NAMER/EMEA/APJ, and built the pricing, packaging, ABM, and partner motions that scaled into F500 accounts (HSBC, Roche, Aramco, Honeywell, Fujitsu). Earlier I ran strategic projects from the COO office on a $300M M&A deal covered in the FT and Bloomberg, and led self-serve product plus early commercial at LeaseMagnets (YC S21). Today I build and deploy AI agents into PE-backed services businesses and have taken LLM pilots through discovery with MOD UK, Microsoft, and Amazon. I take a full-stack approach from first shortlist to signed offer: company targeting and narrative positioning, resume and LinkedIn work for non-template backgrounds, company-specific interview dossiers, story banks on a real behavioral framework (not STAR), live product-sense and case reps, and offer negotiation. Best fit for candidates without a clean FAANG-shaped resume who need their actual path made legible to a hiring manager in ninety seconds. Ideal for: AI-native startups and frontier tech; career switchers from finance, consulting, or ops into product; founders and operators moving into PM, chief of staff, or strategic projects; international and non-US applicants; deep-tech and enterprise-platform PMs; anyone with a non-linear resume that needs a clear story. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Wishing you the very best.

Welcome! With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across top companies like Flowcode and Bluecore, I bring a wealth of knowledge in executive coaching and startup career development. As the Founder of Surko Coaching, I specialize in helping high-potential leaders transition from operational roles to boardroom command, enhancing their executive presence and strategic decision-making skills. My approach is tailored to address self-limiting beliefs and build resilience, ensuring my clients are equipped to thrive in dynamic startup environments. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership style or navigate complex organizational changes, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

Welcome to my profile! With over 23 years of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and college professor, I specialize in guiding aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals through the intricacies of startup careers. As the Co-Founder of Buy-Scale-Sell and Founder of Crown Consulting, I've successfully led clients in buying, scaling, and preparing for business exits, helping them create legacies they can be proud of. My hands-on experience includes leading the successful exits of Griffco Graphic Solutions and Queen of Wraps, where I implemented innovative marketing strategies and strategic partnerships to drive growth. Whether you're looking to unlock off-market opportunities, accelerate growth, or optimize exit strategies, I'm here to empower you to think boldly and achieve your dreams. Let's connect and take your startup career to the next level!