Finding the right people to join your startup is challenging, especially when you haven't started product development or gained traction. I'll guide you through our initial hires at Buildpeer and end up with some tips for scaling your team effectively.

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Hiring Our CTO

Since neither Ernesto nor I had technical backgrounds, our first priority was hiring a CTO. The right CTO doesn’t just code—they help shape your product’s future and align with your mission. We needed someone who could see the long-term value of Buildpeer’s vision. We found Juan Alfredo, who became instrumental in developing Buildpeer’s MVP to now what is a communication platform tailored to the construction industry.

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Expanding our Technical Team

After launching our MVP (I’ll share more on that process in another post), we knew it was time to scale. We brought in two developers who specialized in web and mobile to complement Juan’s work and continue evolving the product.

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Visibility and Customer Acquisition

With the technical foundation established, we turned our attention to visibility. We began producing content for our social media channels, which attracted early adopters. Their feedback was invaluable, allowing us to refine Buildpeer based on real user insights.

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A Few Practical Tips to help scale your team:

• Clear Vision and Values: Define these first; it helps attract the right people. 
• Use Referrals and Networks: Trusted contacts often bring pre-vetted candidates.
• Be Transparent About Expectations: Avoid misalignment from the start.
• Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, don’t ignore it—act quickly.

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