By Martin Bernard
February 25, 2026
In the fast-paced world of startups, founders often find themselves dedicating a considerable amount of their time to the hiring process. Research indicates that approximately 25% of a founder’s workweek is spent on hiring-related activities, equating to around 10 hours in a typical 40-hour workweek, and often much more under startup conditions.
Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare, shared his experience with , stating, “Michelle and I spent probably at least 70% of our time in the first two years just begging people to work for us.” Even as Cloudflare has matured into a public company, Prince estimates that a third of his time continues to be devoted to recruitment.
While it is undeniable that hiring demands the attention of founders, the critical question remains: Is this time being spent on activities that truly leverage their unique skills, or are they mired in administrative tasks?
Research from Index Ventures reveals that as companies scale from three to 15 employees, founders and early employees can spend anywhere from 30% to 50% of their time on recruiting. The reality is that there is no escaping the significant effort required for sourcing, screening, and closing candidates. However, the inefficiencies in the hiring process are glaring.
For instance, manual CV screening alone can consume approximately 23 hours per job opening, with an alarming 88% chance of missing qualified candidates. The logistical nightmare of scheduling interviews across different time zones and busy calendars can devour entire afternoons. The process of following up with candidates, gathering feedback, and negotiating offers, while essential, does not necessarily require a founder’s direct involvement.
The danger lies in the perception of productivity that accompanies recruitment activities. Each CV reviewed, each interview scheduled, and every LinkedIn message sent can create the false impression of progress. It is crucial to distinguish between tasks that genuinely require a founder’s expertise and those that merely consume their valuable time.
In light of these findings, it is imperative for founders to reassess their approach to hiring, focusing on high-leverage activities that maximize their effectiveness and drive the success of their startups.
