Startup Careers Coaching, Events, and Resources

Breaking into startups is harder than it looks: the roles are often unlisted, the processes are inconsistent, and your background (MBA, Consulting, IB, etc.) doesn't automatically qualify you the way you'd expect. During my MBA at Kellogg, I recruited for BizOps, Chief of Staff, and Strategic Projects roles across ~15 startups, ultimately accepting a Chief of Staff offer at Arch, a Series B FinTech. Before that, at Human Capital, I worked directly with startup recruiters to place talent across a Series A–D portfolio so I understand what hiring managers are actually looking for, and how to succeed in an interview process. I help MBAs, consultants, and operators with: - Positioning your background for generalist startup roles - Building and executing a networking strategy to get into roles - Resume and application prep that speaks the startup hiring language - Interview prep for long, ambiguous, multi-stage startup processes If you're trying to break into a BizOps or Chief of Staff role at a startup, book a free intro call.

I'm here to help you navigate the complexities of breaking into and building your startup career. I was once in your shoes as I transitioned from consulting into startups. I began my startup career at Uber in the early days, and have since worked at multiple early-stage startups, one of which was acquired by Airbnb. I have been fortunate to experience 3 exits - 2 IPOs and an acquisition. I know how to think through the challenges of choosing one startup over another, navigate an industry pivot, and weigh the trade-offs of working at an early-stage vs. an established startup.

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'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.

Hello and welcome to my profile! If you come from a non-traditional background and want to break into the startup world, I can help :)

🟢 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!

I help CEOs and operators as they prepare to raise capital by translating investor expectations into clear, practical fundraising guidance. I have 4+ years across Private Equity, Growth Equity, and VC, and most recently served as an investor on Summit Partners’ flagship $10B fund, focused on technology investments. I also spent a year at Griffin Gaming Partners, where I evaluated earlier-stage gaming companies and infrastructure businesses. I graduated from Harvard, where I taught the largest Venture Capital club on campus to 100+ undergraduates. I designed the curriculum myself and mentored students on investing fundamentals, company analysis, and how to think like a VC or growth equity investor. I bring that same investor perspective to helping founders sharpen their pitch, anticipate diligence questions, and communicate their business more effectively.

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!

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!

I built @instagrambrasil from zero to 16.3M followers by understanding that communities don't grow through mechanics — they grow through belonging. At Instagram, my role was discovering and elevating creators; the platform became the connective tissue. The work wasn't algorithm-first, it was community-first. I've replicated this at scale with the Speak Dreams Mentorship Program: 84 women matched across cultures and countries, 9.9/10 rating for life impact. The methodology was narrative — each mentee and mentor shared their story, and through storytelling, a global community emerged. Those stories became our acclaimed podcast, Chloé & Valentina. The lesson: communities that convert are built on authenticity and shared narrative. Today, whether you're building a founder community, a creator network, or a customer base, the principle is the same. I coach you on designing for community and belonging first. When people feel genuinely seen and connected, conversion follows.