The Fair Play Agreement

Last updated June 2026

No fine print, no gotchas. Just the deal that keeps this whole thing working.

The deal

We do the hard yards so you don’t have to: every operator in this directory is identity-checked, work-history-verified, and reference-checked with people who actually worked with them. That takes real time and real effort.

In return, we ask one thing: use the platform as it’s designed. Found someone here? Engage them here.

If you’re hiring

  • When you find an operator through StartUpJobs, the engagement goes through StartUpJobs — request an introduction and we’ll make it happen quickly.
  • Don’t take what you learn here and slide into their LinkedIn DMs to cut us out. You know it, we know it — it’s not on.
  • This applies for 12 months after you first view someone’s profile. After that, fair’s fair.
  • Already know someone before joining? No problem — that relationship is yours. Just be upfront with us about it.

If you’re talent

  • When a business finds you through StartUpJobs, keep the engagement on StartUpJobs — even if they suggest going around us.
  • Your profile, your references, your reputation — we protect them, and we only show your details to approved businesses we’ve checked out.
  • Your existing clients and networks are entirely your own business. This only covers introductions that happen through the platform.

If something goes sideways

Made an honest mistake? Talk to us — we’re reasonable people and a quick chat sorts most things. Deliberately going around the platform is different: that gets you removed from the directory, and for businesses the conversion fee in the Client Terms of Service applies — the numbers are printed openly on our pricing page, capped and everything. Nothing ever applies to talent.

Why we care

A 100% verified directory only works if the people in it play it straight. Every fee that flows through the platform funds more verification, better tools, and a directory you can trust without doing your own homework. Use it as designed and everybody wins.

Questions? hello@startupjobs.co.nz — a human reads it.