Your First 10 Hires Just Changed: What Founders Need to Know Now
The calculus on early hiring has shifted in real time — which roles you actually need humans for, which you can now cover with AI, and how that changes who hire #1, 2, and 3 should be. This isn't abstract future-of-work content. It's a concrete decision founders are making right now with outdated mental models.
What you'll learn:
Which roles are now "AI-first" — and what that means for headcount sequencing
Hiring engineers to build vs. manage AI: a fundamentally different profile
Evaluating candidates when everyone's AI-augmented on both sides — interview prep, resume writing, take-home projects
The trust problem: if referrals and vetted networks matter more than ever, how do early-stage founders build that pipeline before they have brand?
How to close a candidate in a competitive market
Panelists:
Michelle Volberg: Founder and CEO, Twill
Michelle is the Founder and CEO of Twill, a modern hiring platform built to help startups make their first critical hires with confidence. Backed by investors including Bloomberg Beta, she brings deep expertise in how early-stage companies build teams from the ground up.
Ryan Denehy: Founder and CEO, Electric
Ryan is the Founder and CEO of Electric, the IT management platform for small and mid-sized businesses. Backed by Primary Venture Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and others, he's built and scaled teams through multiple phases of growth and has firsthand experience navigating how AI is reshaping the talent landscape.
Moderated by John Gannon, Founder of Venture5 Media.
We'll open the floor for live audience Q&A as well!