For Startups & Marketplaces
The Right First Design Hire for Product-Led Startups
Early-stage startups need an autonomous IC designer — not a specialist who needs direction. We match 3–6yr generalist designers who cover product, brand, and marketing without adding headcount overhead. From $2,800/mo.
The Startup Design Hiring Gap
UX hiring takes 45% longer than other roles. But the real challenge isn't time — it's matching the right profile to your stage. A specialist designer at a 10-person startup is a mismatch. An autonomous generalist IC is the right bet.
3–6yr
IC experience needed
The right first design hire needs autonomous IC experience to work without extensive senior oversight.
83%
prioritize portfolio depth
of startup hiring managers prioritize portfolio process thinking over credentials or school pedigree.
$120K+
US senior designer
vs. $2,800–$4,500/month for a dedicated LATAM senior designer — same autonomous profile.
How Startups Use LatAm Scalers
The first design hire
The first designer at a 1–25 person startup must be a 3–6yr autonomous IC who covers product, marketing, and brand. We specifically match this profile — not a specialist who needs tight direction.
Product launch backlog
Your engineers are blocked waiting on designs. Add a dedicated designer who ships alongside your dev team — no queue, no shared attention, same person every sprint.
Marketplace dual-sided design
Marketplaces need two design tracks simultaneously: buyer-side UX and seller-side onboarding. A senior IC designer with marketplace experience handles both coherently.
Fundraising materials
Series A/B decks require a different design skill set than product work. Presentation designers who understand investor narrative and visual storytelling.
Startup & Marketplace Design Roles
Growth Product Designer
Generalist with 3–6+ years of autonomous IC experience — covers product design, marketing creative, and brand without needing direction at every step.
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UI/UX Designer
User flows, prototypes, and product design for web and mobile — from onboarding to core feature work.
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Brand/Visual Designer
Visual identity, design systems, and brand consistency as your company grows from 0 to 1.
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Presentation Designer
Investor decks, pitch materials, and fundraising assets for startups in active fundraising cycles.
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Tools Your Designer Will Use
Figma
UI design, prototyping, and design systems — the primary tool for all product design work.
Notion / Linear
Design documentation, project tracking, and async collaboration in your startup workflow.
Webflow / Framer
Landing pages and marketing site design for pre-engineering-bandwidth moments.
Adobe CC
Brand identity, marketing assets, and print/digital visual work.
Miro / FigJam
User journey mapping, design sprints, and product strategy workshops.
Lottie / After Effects
Lightweight animations and microinteractions for polished product experiences.
Pricing Guidance
Startup designers from $2,800–$4,500/month depending on seniority and generalist scope. Month-to-month, free replacement guarantee. No equity, no long-term commitment.
See how pricing worksFrequently Asked Questions
What makes a good first design hire for a startup?
The best first design hire for a 1–25 person startup is a 3–6+ year autonomous IC who can cover product design, marketing creative, and brand work without needing a senior designer to direct them. 83% of hiring managers prioritize portfolio case study depth and process thinking over credentials. We screen specifically for autonomous IC profile at this stage.
Can one designer cover both product and marketing design?
Yes — and for early-stage startups, this is exactly what you need. A senior generalist designer covers product flows, landing pages, marketing creative, and brand assets. As you scale past 25 people, you can add specialists. We match the right generalist profile for your stage.
How do marketplace companies use dedicated design talent?
Marketplaces require dual-sided design: buyer-facing UX (discovery, listings, checkout) and seller-facing onboarding and tooling. A dedicated marketplace-experienced designer understands both tracks and maintains visual consistency across them.
Can your designers help with fundraising materials?
Yes. Our presentation designers produce investor decks, one-pagers, and pitch materials. For active fundraising cycles, a dedicated presentation designer can turn around polished investor materials in 48–72 hours.
What does pricing look like for startup design talent?
Dedicated startup designers start at $2,800–$4,500/month depending on seniority and scope — compared to a US senior product designer at $120,000–$160,000/year. Month-to-month with free replacement guarantee.
Ready to Make Your First (or Next) Design Hire?
Book a call to discuss your stage, product scope, and what the right design profile looks like for your team.
Month-to-month · Free replacement guarantee · No long-term contracts
Get in touch
Let's Talk Startup Design Talent
Get in Touch
Send us a message with your requirements, or book a quick scoping call — whatever works best for you.
Matched in under one week
Vetted shortlist in 48 hours
Month-to-month, no lock-in
Scale up or pause anytime
Free replacement guarantee
We fix the fit — at no cost
50–70% cost savings
<3% pass our vetting
Your request is in good hands.
Here's what happens next:
Confirmation & scoping
We'll reach out within a few hours to confirm receipt and clarify any details.
Vetted shortlist in 48h
We'll present 1–3 pre-vetted specialists matched to your tools, standards, and timeline.
Start within 1 week
Meet top matches for a fit check — or skip interviews and start immediately.
Want to speed things up?
Book a scoping call now and we can start matching during the call.