Flexible Talent Solutions for Your Startup Journey

At Initium Talent, we know that early-stage hiring isn’t "one size fits all." Standard contingency models often fail to account for the cash flow realities and urgency of a seed-stage company.

We have designed four distinct engagement models to align our incentives with your runway, ensuring you get the talent you need without breaking your burn rate.

Numerous individuals are gathered in a spacious, well-lit hall, interacting around various booths and tables. Some tables are adorned with informational posters and brochures. People are engaged in discussions, examining flyers, and working on laptops. The setting appears to be a university or career fair, with banners and promotional materials visible in the background.
Numerous individuals are gathered in a spacious, well-lit hall, interacting around various booths and tables. Some tables are adorned with informational posters and brochures. People are engaged in discussions, examining flyers, and working on laptops. The setting appears to be a university or career fair, with banners and promotional materials visible in the background.
woman in green shirt sitting in front of computer
woman in green shirt sitting in front of computer
Priority Engagement

In a standard contingency model, recruiters often juggle dozens of roles, hoping one sticks. The Priority model guarantees that your critical role stays at the top of our list.

  • How it works: A small upfront engagement fee acts as a "container" for our time. This fee is 100% deductible from the final success fee, meaning it costs you nothing extra upon hiring.

  • The Advantage: This mutual commitment allows us to dedicate specific sourcing hours exclusively to your role.

  • Why choose this: If you need a difficult-to-find skillset and cannot afford to be ghosted, this model ensures your search receives the rigorous, prioritized attention it requires.

Fractional Talent Partner

This model is designed to solve the "lumpy cash flow" problem associated with high-level hiring. Instead of a massive lump-sum fee that hits your bank account all at once, we smooth the cost over a monthly subscription.

  • How it works: A manageable monthly retainer fees coupled with a significantly reduced success fee (10–15%) per hire.

  • What you get: We don't just send resumes; we embed ourselves in your company. We handle ATS implementation, job description architecture, interview scorecard design, and employer branding on platforms like LinkedIn and AngelList.

  • Why choose this: You gain a dedicated recruitment infrastructure and a predictable budget, avoiding the shock of large contingency fees.

A person with long hair wearing a red sweater is observing a whiteboard. On the whiteboard, there is an arrangement of multi-colored sticky notes with various words and phrases related to company values, such as 'equity', 'teamwork', 'respect', and 'diversity'. The words '# COMPANY VALUES' are prominently written at the top.
A person with long hair wearing a red sweater is observing a whiteboard. On the whiteboard, there is an arrangement of multi-colored sticky notes with various words and phrases related to company values, such as 'equity', 'teamwork', 'respect', and 'diversity'. The words '# COMPANY VALUES' are prominently written at the top.
Equity-For-Fees

For high-potential startups backed by top-tier VCs, we offer a partnership that goes beyond the transactional. We are willing to bet on your vision by accepting a portion of our fee in equity.

  • How it works: A hybrid structure (typically 50% Cash / 50% Equity) allowing you to preserve cash for product and operations.

  • The Initium Promise: By taking equity (typically via Warrants), our incentives are perfectly aligned with the long-term success of the candidate and the company. We aren't looking for a quick placement; we are looking to build the team that gets you to your exit.

  • Ideal for: Cash-constrained, equity-rich startups looking for partners who believe in their future.

Woman in suit interviews man across table.
Woman in suit interviews man across table.
Hire Now, Pay Later

Don’t let a tight current runway cost you the engineer or leader who will secure your Series A. Our deferred payment model acts as "growth financing" for your talent acquisition.

  • How it works: We commence the search with a nominal activation fee. The bulk of the placement fee is deferred until a significant funding milestone (e.g., closing your next round) or a set timeframe (e.g., 6 months).

  • Why choose this: It removes immediate budgetary roadblocks, allowing you to secure top-tier talent before the funding hits the bank, giving you a head start on execution.