A curated directory, not a job board

StartUpJobs isn’t a place where anyone can list a profile and hope. Every person in this directory has been verified — experience confirmed, references checked — before a startup ever sees them. That’s the whole point. When a founder shortlists someone here, they’re not gambling.

What that means for you: creating a profile is step one, not the finish line. Here’s how it works.

Who we list

We’re built for experienced operators— people who’ve actually run the function they’re offering fractionally. CFOs who’ve closed a year-end, CTOs who’ve shipped and scaled, CMOs who’ve owned a number. If you’re early in your career, we’re genuinely not the right platform yet — and we’d rather tell you that here than after you’ve built a profile.

If you’re NZ-based:solid business experience is the entry requirement, and an interest in startups is what makes it work. You don’t need to have worked in a startup before. Some of our most valuable profiles are senior executives from government, financial services, health, and other established sectors — because startups building products forthose industries need people who know how they actually work from the inside. If you can open doors, decode procurement, or tell a founder why their pitch won’t land with a bank — there’s a seat for you here.

If you’re based outside NZ:we list international fractional talent too, but the bar includes startup miles. During onboarding we’ll ask which startups you’ve worked with and why you want to work with NZ startups specifically. We’re a small market with its own quirks — we want people who are here for that, not just topping up a portfolio.

What happens after you create a profile

• You build your profile. Experience, the fractional roles you offer, your rate. Takes maybe 15 minutes.
• We get in touch.A real conversation — we’ll verify your details and talk through your experience. Not an interrogation, just making sure the directory stays a directory worth being in.
• Two references.Here’s where we’re different: we value your referees’ time. Our reference check is a 30-second confirmation, not a 30-minute phone call. They verify, they’re done, they don’t resent you for asking.
• You’re listed — verified badge and all.Clients see a profile that’s been checked, which is exactly why your profile converts.

The honest bit

We don’t list everyone. Curation only means something if it has an edge, and ours is that every profile in the directory has cleared the same bar. If we don’t think it’s the right fit right now, we’ll tell you directly and respectfully — no ghosting, no form-letter limbo. And “not right now” isn’t “never”: experience changes, our client demand changes, and you’re welcome back.

Still zero cost, by the way. Being listed costs you nothing, the verification costs you nothing, and you keep 100% of your rate. We’re selective with profiles, not with your money.