Let’s start our conversation with some statistics provided by Statista service. The total number of software developers worldwide is slowly but steadily increasing. In 2018, we had 23 million specialists in this field, and in 2024, the figure reached 28.7 million. Against this background, can there be any difficulties in finding developers? The answer is yes. But don’t worry. We’re here to learn how to hire programmers for a startup, what challenges you might face, and how to prevent them.
Why Finding the Right Developers Matters
We must admit that bringing the perfect candidate for a startup can be difficult, but it is necessary. It is the only way for your project to become successful and meet your expectations. And it does not depend on its specifics. Whether you are working on a completely new idea or have a good product and want to make it available to a wider audience – you cannot do without the help of the right developer. Why so?
— Skilled developers create reliable, scalable solutions.
— The right team accelerates idea-to-product timelines.
— Agile developers help pivot effectively in dynamic markets.
— Hiring right reduces turnover and rework expenses.
Do you want to hire top-tier talents? Sure, you do. First, prepare a strategic hiring process that identifies each candidate’s hard and soft skills. By the way, many businesses are choosing to hire developers in Ukraine to work on their startups.
Common Challenges Startups Face
So, how to find a software developer for a startup? Consider the fact: 70% of startups that are 3 to 5 years old struggle, and 25% of them fail just because they hired the wrong people. You need to understand this from the very beginning to avoid problems in the near future. Before we come to the point, let’s consider the most common challenges you may face.
Limited Resources
Large corporations are willing to pay high salaries and offer various benefits. Startup owners usually operate with tight budgets. This limitation restricts access to experienced candidates who demand premium compensation. In addition, new projects often cannot afford to pay for all the necessary tools and services needed for efficient and comfortable work.
High Demand for Tech Talent
Even though the number of specialists is growing year by year, the number of employers is also increasing. The competition is from other startups and tech giants who dominate the market. If you are looking to hire the best candidates, you should highlight your unique vision and offer growth opportunities.
Identifying the Right Fit
Another question is how to hire software developers for a startup who will fulfill the assigned tasks and simultaneously bring value to your business. Engaging the wrong candidate leads to problems such as miscommunication, financial strain, delays, etc.
How to Hire Developers for Your Startup
Experienced experts indeed prefer to work in reliable companies that are ready to give a high paycheck and career prospects. Who is left for startups? Newbies who are just starting their development journey. That’s what it seems at first glance. However, in practice, the picture looks different. In the ocean of talent, you can definitely find a qualified developer for your startup if you have the right approach.
Define Your Needs and Goals
We recommend that you start working on how to hire a developer for a startup by defining what you need. Clearly outline your project requirements and expectations. Here’s a list of things to think about:
— required tech stack;
— project scope;
— timeline;
— main goals.
If you clearly understand what you need, you can convey this to the candidate and immediately know whether they are a good fit for you.
Choose the Right Hiring Model
If you’re looking for an answer to how to find developers for a startup, don’t underestimate the role of this factor. You are not limited to the classic hiring model. In 2025, you have several options to choose from.
— Freelancers are the best for short-term tasks or MVPs.
— The in-house team is perfect for long-term projects.
— Remote developers are suitable for scaling efficiently.
We recommend you pay attention to the third option. You can also find it under the name staff augmentation. This approach allows you to add exactly as many developers as you need for the period that your project requires. If you want to know how to find a software developer for a startup, explore these three models in detail and choose the most appropriate one.
Use the Right Platforms
When thinking about how to hire software developers for a startup, it is important to know where you can look for candidates. Popular options include:
— Upwork;
— Toptal;
— Fiverr;
— Stack Overflow;
— AngelList;
— Hackathons, etc.
On the first three services, you can find freelancers to a greater extent. AngelList is a pretty interesting platform that’s geared specifically towards startups. Both beginners and experienced developers post their CVs here.
Build a Strong Brand
If you want to find the right candidate, explain why your startup is a perfect place. People value the chance to work on meaningful projects. How can you enhance your brand? Share your vision and mission. Highlight exciting challenges and impact. Offer growth opportunities and perks. You should clearly understand how to find developers for a startup as well as how to motivate them to accept the offer.
Leverage Referrals and Networks
As practice shows, developers recommended by acquaintances demonstrate high efficiency in completing tasks. You can use a referral program to attract talent to your startup. Also, you can ask for recommendations from peers or engage with developer communities online.
Conduct Thorough Candidate Assessments
How to hire a developer for a startup is a multi-stage task. Once you find potential candidates, evaluate them beyond software development expertise. As an option, you can organize coding tests and conduct behavioral interviews. We recommend you review portfolios and past projects as well. Focus on both hard and soft skills to find well-rounded candidates.
Offer Competitive and Flexible Terms
If you want to hire developers for your startup, you should understand that qualified and experienced specialists choose only the best projects with good paychecks and prospects. Perhaps you can’t compete with corporate salaries. In such a situation try to attract developers with other benefits like flexible work arrangements or profit distribution options in share capital.
Final Thoughts
Now, you know how to hire programmers for a startup. The whole process requires careful planning, creativity, and adaptability. But suppose you attract valuable, skilled professionals. In that case, your startup will soon become a successful and promising project that will bring income to your company and contribute to forming a strong brand image.
