Founding Engineer Circle: Beyond the Code
What is this? A monthly gathering for founding engineers, early technical hires, and engineers-turned-CTOs to tackle the personal and interpersonal challenges of building - from imposter syndrome and burnout to managing difficult team dynamics, navigating founder relationships, and finding work-life balance in high-pressure roles.
Why attend? As a former engineer who became CTO of a YC and a16z backed startup at just 23, I know that the hardest parts of the job aren't always technical. How do you handle the pressure and self-doubt? Manage your own stress while supporting your team? Have difficult conversations? Set boundaries while staying committed?
While founders have extensive support networks for these challenges, the first engineers who face them daily often don't. This monthly series aims to change that.
Who should come?
Engineers who were among the first to fifth technical hires at a startup
Engineers who transitioned into early-stage CTO roles
Technical leaders navigating personal growth and interpersonal challenges at early-stage startups
What to expect
Monthly recurring event - same time each month to build consistent community
Open discussions on personal and interpersonal challenges: stress management, imposter syndrome, team conflicts, difficult conversations, work-life balance
Real experiences and honest conversations from the trenches
Practical strategies for personal resilience and relationship management
Coffee and pastries provided
Small group format to ensure everyone can share and get support
We'll have breakfast starting at 9:30 AM, and the conversation from 10-11:30 AM.
Hosted by
Randy Brown, former founding engineer turned CTO and currently Founder of Scout.