Because great teams are Built Different.

Recruitment for startups. Built by founders, for founders.

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Do you want scaling to be simple?

How we help founders hire

Testimonials

Hires that move the business.

We help founder-led teams land the people who ship product, unblock growth, and raise the bar.

"Their collaborative approach, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering results set Built Different apart from other talent firms in The Netherlands. I would't hesitate to recommend."
Arno
IT Consultancy
"Will is a real pleasure to work with. He is highly collaborative, presents strong candidates and strikes an excellent balance between commercial focus and true partnership. Exactly what you would hope to see in an external recruitment partner."
Sven
EventTech
"I spoke to 7 different agencies and decided to move forward with Will & Built Different because his knowledge and confidence to support our requirements was unmatched. And he didn't let me down!"
Lars
FinTech
"What can I say about Built Different? Will delivers top class candidates at a rate I've never come across before. He truly cares and acts a partner, not a typical recruiter."
Gijs
HealthTech

Our Services

Three ways founders hire. One standard of execution.

Different stages demand different approaches. We help you choose the right model, not sell you the most expensive one.

Built by founders, for founders.

Different stages demand different approaches. We help you choose the right model, not sell you the most expensive one.

Built by founders, for founders.

Search Sprint

For one high-impact hire where speed and precision matter.

- Role scorecard + target map (who we want, where they sit, why they move) - Outreach run like a campaign, not a scattergun - Shortlist built on evidence, not “good vibes” - Weekly calibration so you don’t drift

Run A Sprint

Search Sprint

For one high-impact hire where speed and precision matter.

Run A Sprint

Embedded Partner

For scaling teams when you need ongoing hiring but still having a changing forecast

- One hiring plan across roles, priorities, and timelines - Consistent pipeline and interview hygiene across the business - Hiring manager enablement (briefing, bar-raising, debriefs) - Employer narrative that matches the reality, not the pitch deck

Embed With Us

Embedded Partner

For scaling teams when you need ongoing hiring but still having a changing forecast

Embed With Us

Talent Operating System

For founders who want a repeatable way to hire well, even when it’s chaotic.

- Interview loops, scorecards, and decision rules - Predictable costing and no surprises for entire hiring function - ATS and process setup that keeps momentum - Onboarding basics so hires land properly

Build The System

Talent Operating System

For founders who want a repeatable way to hire well, even when it’s chaotic.

Build The System

How we actually build teams

A founder-led hiring system designed for early-stage reality, not corporate theory.

Let's Scale

01.

Define the real role (not the job title)

Most hiring fails here. So we therefore work with founders to get brutal clarity on: - What success looks like in 6–12 months - What this person must own, not just “do” - What not to hire for at this stage

02.

Targeted search, not spray-and-pray

We don’t post and hope. We map the market and go directly to the people who fit your stage. - Active and passive talent - Clear technical and behavioural filters - Honest conversations from the first messag

03.

Founder-level screening

Every candidate is pressure-tested before you see them. We assess: - Decision-making at scale and under uncertainty - Stage fit (this is where most hires break) - Motivation beyond comp and title

04.

Close with conviction

Great candidates don’t hang around. And neither do we! We help you: - Position the opportunity honestly - Move quickly without rushing - Close with clarity and trust

05.

Stay close post-hire

Hiring doesn’t end on acceptance. We stay involved through onboarding and early months to: - Sense-check expectations - Spot risk early - Protect the long-term outcome

Madelon @ Ksyos

"Will is the person you can rely on when you are in need of help. In all our time working together, he always pulled through. I can describe Will as persistent, driven and social. He is friendly, positive, thinks with his clients and goes that extra mile to get the desired results. I definitely recommend to work with Will."

Nik - AI SaaS Start Up

"Will doesn’t just find talent - he helps founders make better hiring decisions.

Clear thinking, founder-level honesty, and a genuine focus on outcomes. Easily one of the most effective hiring partners I’ve worked with in early-stage startups."

Jeroen - AgTech StartUp

"Will is not a recruiter you brief and hope for the best.

He thinks like a founder. He pushes back when the hire is wrong. He forces clarity when the role is vague. And he cares far more about the long-term outcome than filling a seat quickly.

What stood out most was how embedded he became in our business. He understood the product, the stage we were at, and the type of people who would actually thrive here. The result was hires that raised the bar, not just filled gaps.

If hiring matters to your startup, Will is the person you want in the room."