Hiring plan and org structure roadmap across seed scenarios. Click any role card to expand sourcing strategy, compensation, and hiring notes. Track progress with the checklist below.
12
Total roles mapped
4
Hire now (seed)
$500K
Scenario A budget
$1M+
Scenario B budget
Phase 1 — Foundation
Core team that ships the mobile app and activates the first seed market. Lean by design — every hire must be a force multiplier.
$200K eng + $100K IP
Months 1–3
Hire now
RC
Engineering
React Native Engineer (Contract)
$10K/mo · 6-month contract
React NativeSupabaseGPS/LocationiOS + Android
What they own
Cross-platform mobile build on top of existing Supabase backend. Encounter feed, orbit view, signals, zone explorer, push notifications. Existing web app is the spec.
Must-haves
3+ years React Native, shipped to App Store + Play Store
Experience with background location or proximity APIs
Supabase or Firebase real-time experience
Available to start within 2 weeks
Where to source
ToptalGun.ioLemon.ioLinkedInCodePath alumni
Outreach angle
"Building a proximity app that detects real-world crossings and builds a behavioral graph. Patent-pending engine, live Supabase backend. Need someone who obsesses over how location-based apps feel, not just how they work."
Hire now
IP
Legal & IP
USPTO Patent Attorney
$18K–25K project fee
Non-provisional patentSoftware IPUSPTO registered
What they own
Convert provisional to non-provisional patent. Core claims: zone-snap proximity detection, orbit scoring with decay logic, dual-mode architecture, 4·3·2 scarcity mechanism.
Must-haves
USPTO registration — verify before engaging
Software/mobile app patent experience
Experience with location-based or social platform IP
Monthly books from day one. Series A diligence requires 24 months of clean financials. Start now, never scramble later. Quarterly fractional CFO review is a bonus.
Where to source
Bench.coPilot.comLocal CPA referral
Hire now
AM
Campus Growth
Campus Ambassador (×2, seed markets)
$1K–1.5K/mo per ambassador
Student leaderSocial-firstPart-time
What they own
On-campus activation for seed university launch. QR drops, event presence, word-of-mouth seeding, peer recruitment. Target: 500 MAU per campus within 90 days of launch.
Profile
Junior or senior, well-connected on campus
Experience with student org leadership
Authentic interest in tech + social products
Where to source
Student union boardsGreek life networksCampus job boardsLinkedIn Campus
Phase 2 — Build
Mobile app shipped. First campus live. Add growth and data intelligence to push toward density and retention metrics needed for Series A.
Campus launches, retention mechanics, referral programs, paid acquisition post-density. First dedicated growth hire. Owns everything that moves the MAU number.
Must-haves
Consumer social or marketplace growth background
Experience launching in physical environments (campus, events, venues)
Data-driven — owns CAC and retention targets
Pre-Series A startup experience preferred
Where to source
Y Combinator talentReforge alumniLinkedIn ex-Tinder/BumbleAngelList
Phase 2
DS
Data
Data Scientist / ML (Part-time)
$4K–6K/mo · contract or equity
Graph MLLocation dataBehavioral signalsPython
What they own
Turning the behavioral proximity graph into smarter matching signals. Zone confidence model tuning, wavelength scoring optimization, orbit decay calibration. The research problem is genuinely novel.
Where to source
ICWSM / WWW conferenceNSBE data scienceHBCUvc networkResearch-to-startup pipeline
Phase 2
PR
Communications
PR / Comms (Fractional)
$2K–3K/mo retainer
Tech pressCategory creationFounder story
What they own
Get the "behavioral proximity graph" story placed in WSJ, TechCrunch, or Wired before Series A. One major feature = $0 CAC in seed markets and social proof for investor conversations.
Outreach angle
SDVOSB founder, patent-pending proximity engine, privacy-first architecture, airport-first launch. The "Tinder killed serendipity — Tangnt brings it back" angle.
Phase 3 — Scale
5K+ MAU target. $10K+ MRR. Multiple markets. This phase adds the roles that run the machine rather than build it.
Revenue-funded ideally
Months 9–16
Phase 3
SE
Engineering
Senior Full-Stack Engineer
$10K/mo or $120K salary · equity
SupabasePostGISNode/EdgeReal-time
What they own
Backend scaling, real-time engine hardening, encounter pipeline reliability. The person who understands Supabase + PostGIS at depth. Potential future CTO candidate — hire with that in mind.
Phase 3
OP
Operations
Operations / Community Manager
$3K/mo · part-time
Ambassador managementUser supportCommunity
What they own
Campus coordinator logistics, ambassador management, Intercom/Crisp user support, investor update drafts. Frees founder for product and fundraising — the highest-leverage trade at this stage.
Phase 4 — Series A Prep
The hires that make Tangnt credible at Series A. These are the roles investors ask about before writing a check.
Post-Series A hires
Post M16
Series A
CTO
Engineering
CTO
$150K–180K salary · 2–4% equity
Mobile platformML/GraphTeam building
Note
Ideally promote from within — the senior full-stack engineer hired in Phase 3 should be evaluated for this role before external search. Cheaper, faster, and better for culture continuity.