Being the firstdesign hire isdifferent.
Being the firstdesign hire isdifferent.
You are setting product direction while the business model is still taking shape.
This is a private community for designers at early stage startups who bring clarity and momentum to founding teams.
Design has become the real differentiator.
Software is increasingly commoditised.
Tools can create something that looks acceptable.
But they cannot understand tradeoffs.
Founders are noticing the difference.
The best teams look for designers who think in flows and constraints.
Who understand business outcomes.
This community exists for that type of designer.
A high signal peer group.
Peer Reviews
Detailed feedback on systems, flows, and prototypes from people who understand the constraints of early stage.
Equity & Comp
Real data on vesting, strikes, and negotiation.
Founder Dynamics
Navigating influence without authority.
Warm Introductions
Direct access to founders when new roles appear, bypassing the recruiter filter.
Who this is
for.
Membership is curated to keep the group small, serious, and useful.
Not for
- ×Designers who prefer large company stability
- ×People looking for a basic job board
The First Hire
You are the first or second design hire at a startup from pre-seed to Series A.
The Seeker
You are actively looking to transition to a founding design role.
The Operator
You care about equity, long term influence, and designing within business constraints.
The Craftsperson
You want to move fast without losing taste. You work closely with engineers to ship quality.
Private routes
into founding roles.
Founders come through the community when they want their first designer. Members see these roles early, with clear information and a direct path to the team if they choose to explore.
Early access to roles before they go public.
Honest context about runway and expectations.
Direct connection to the founder, no layers in between.
"I’ve been the first design hire in several teams and know the practical side of shaping a product before the company has its footing."
A founder and product designer with a background in early-stage companies. I’ve taken products from zero to scale four times, including a YC-backed platform that grew to more than six million users, complex operating tools, and enterprise software.
Membership is limited to keep the signal high.
Apply
Share a short background and the stage you are at.
Review
We curate based on fit, experience, and contribution.
Join
Access the private space, discussions, and upcoming roles.
Contribute
Give as much as you take. Keep the group useful.