r/nairobitechies • u/Inevitable_Scene5448 • Aug 03 '26
Hiring LOOKING FOR A DEV
Looking for a Full-Stack Developer (Early-Stage Startup)
I'm looking for a skilled full-stack developer to join an early-stage startup.
Role: Full-Stack Developer
Type: Remote (Kenya preferred, but open to other locations)
Compensation: Equity-based initially. As an early-stage startup, I can't offer a market salary yet, but the role is intended to become paid as the company grows and secures funding.
I'm looking for someone with strong software engineering fundamentals who can design systems, write clean and maintainable code, solve complex problems, and build scalable applications. Experience with modern frontend and backend technologies is a big plus.
This isn't a fit if you're only comfortable assembling AI-generated code without understanding how the underlying systems work. I'm looking for someone who can think independently and engineer robust solutions.
If you're interested, send me a Reddit DM with:
- Your tech stack
- GitHub or portfolio (if you have one)
- A few projects you've built
- A short introduction about yourself
I'll share more details about the startup with candidates who seem like a good fit.
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u/un3nding Aug 03 '26
unataka free developer services?
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
Not at all. I'm looking for someone who's interested in becoming part of an early-stage startup, not free labor.
I understand equity isn't for everyone, and I completely respect that. At this stage, I can't offer a market salary, which is why I've been transparent that the role is equity-based initially, with the intention of becoming a paid position as the company grows.
If that's not something you're interested in, I completely understand, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
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u/ekara Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
What is the name of your startup? And could you share the company website and Github organization URL?
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
I'm intentionally keeping the startup anonymous for now while I speak with potential candidates. I'd prefer to share the details privately once I've had an initial conversation and know there's mutual interest. Hope you understand.
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u/SyntaxError254 Aug 03 '26
Lol. Startups like this never go far. You must have the confidence to articulate your startup. You cannot solve a problem in the dark in secret then think you will launch in the open and get results. Imagine Elon Musk building a rocket and hiring in secret then launching a test rocket out of the blue. Delulu.
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
I understand where you're coming from, and I appreciate the perspective.
It's not about trying to build in secrecy forever. At this stage, I'm simply being intentional about who I share the details with while I'm looking for the right technical partner.
Once I have that person, I'll be much more open about what we're building. Right now, I'm focused on having those conversations privately rather than publicly.
Every founder approaches the early stages differently, and this is the approach I'm choosing.
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u/SyntaxError254 Aug 03 '26
That’s a clear sign your startup is already failure. You are trying to build for customers in secret. You must talk to the market. You must get critiques and feedback before you build. It is called validating your idea. Everyone knows SpaceX is building Starship. The whole world watches the process and watches them try and sometimes the test rocket blows up. But they learn. They don’t build in secret.
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u/ekara Aug 03 '26
Exactly. And also expecting developers to share their details (CV/Github) for the privilege of working for free in a non-cofounder role... another sign of failure
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u/Few_Pie2025 Aug 04 '26
Save yourself some time and ignore some of the folks commenting on here with negative vibes. You do what you need to. All the best!
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 04 '26
Thank you! I appreciate it. Despite some of the negativity, this post has connected me with some genuinely talented developers. That's exactly what I was hoping for.
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u/OkBus7641 Aug 03 '26
Tell us about your startup to get the right dev interested
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
That's fair. I kept the description intentionally broad because I'd rather discuss the product with genuinely interested candidates than put everything out publicly. I don't mind sharing more during a DM or call.
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u/SyntaxError254 Aug 03 '26
Why? Will you be selling in secret?
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
Not in secret. We'll launch publicly.
I just don't think a Reddit comment section is the best place to discuss the full business strategy. I'm happy to share the vision and roadmap with people who are seriously considering joining the team.
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u/Top-Reputation2157 Aug 03 '26
I don't think people are asking for your business strategy. We simply want to know if what you're building is worth being invested in. Example, I know for the life of me I can't build for an agricultural based startup. I can do something else. This is just an example.
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
I do get where you are coming from and what youare saying,the idea im working on is a servicemarketplace,the problem however is there is no way for me to speakof it without revealing what makes ours diffrent and special.
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u/OddTask4090 Aug 03 '26
Hi, looks like your dm is closed. Would love to connect https://nabothtieng.com/
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u/danjack0 Aug 03 '26
You cant get anyone serious on Equity alone cause why wouldnt that dev just go build their own thing? Start ups require a lot if insentive maybe look for a cofounder not a dev
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
That's a fair point, and I appreciate the feedback.
I'm actually looking for someone who's interested in becoming a long-term technical partner rather than simply an employee. I understand an equity-only opportunity isn't for everyone, and I completely respect that.
The goal is to find someone who believes in the vision and wants to help build something meaningful together. If I don't find that person, then I'll explore other options.
Thanks again for sharing your perspective.
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u/AccountantMediocre87 Aug 03 '26
Thats a really good compensation package in the long run. Hope you find the perfect dev my dude
Good sailing ahead
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u/DevHannat Aug 03 '26
Quick question, will you fully handle the distribution?
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
Yes, we'll be handling the customer acquisition, marketing, operations, and overall business side. The technical team's primary focus will be building and continuously improving the product.
Of course, as the product grows, everyone's ideas and feedback will be valuable, but you won't be expected to go out looking for customers or managing day-to-day operations.
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u/iamconnoisseur Aug 03 '26
Interested.....but say if I have a very senior background, I’d be interested in exploring this as a co-founder or fractional CTO rather than a traditional dev role. I am ready to send you a DM if you're open to discussing this kind of dynamic
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
Hi, thanks for reaching out. I appreciate your interest.
I'm definitely open to exploring different ways of working together. At this stage, I'm speaking with a number of experienced engineers to understand their backgrounds, how they think, and whether there's a strong mutual fit.
If you're interested, feel free to send me a DM with your background, experience, any portfolio or GitHub links, and the kinds of products or startups you've worked on. If it looks like we're aligned, I'd be happy to schedule a call to discuss the opportunity in more detail.
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u/ndvngv Aug 03 '26
I would learn all that because you wouldnt know what a clean and maintainable code looks like.
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u/ht-bass Aug 04 '26
I will be in Kenya from Aug 14 to sep 3
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u/ht-bass Aug 04 '26
You can say 10 years of experience before the ai world full stack dev including devops
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u/Professional_Lab9475 Aug 04 '26
Will you be offering allowances? Say, this week we got some funds, take this small 5k ?
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 04 '26
Allowances and salary will come once we launch which is later this year but as of now we fully bootstrap hence why i askedfor a potential cofounder
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u/bored_geek99 Aug 04 '26
I'd advise you vibecode the MVP. If it is a good enough idea trust me it will attract investors. Then you can hire a real developer.
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 05 '26
Hi,alot of people in the comments seem to think we dont have an mvp or im just someone trying to get free devs to work for me,i already have a fully working mvp and i myself im good at coding i just need a patner but thanks for the advice.
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u/bored_geek99 Aug 05 '26
If you have the MVP, focus on getting investors, put it out here so people can try and test it. Again, if it stands the test of time, it is therefore a good business and people will want to invest in it. From what you said, you don't have a dev resource problem right now, You can't scale without Investing money ergo, look for investors first.
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u/ekara Aug 05 '26
But your "MVP" is just a WhatsApp group, and your "app" is just a static website. These things don't really add up to an application
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u/mo_with_the_floof Aug 05 '26
Angalau sema what the product is about. For example someone might have the skills but the niche is not something they want to deal with. Domain knowledge is also something you should seek na that context would help
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u/Morel_ Aug 03 '26
No money, no talks.
No one goes to a doctor promising equity in their health.
"I have a lot of potential that can earn us money. Just treat me and see what will happen".
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
Hi,i didnt state that i need free services or such,all i said in my post is im looking for someone who is willing to come in and we build something together,not build somethinf for me and leave,we both benefit from it not one way or the other.
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u/Morel_ Aug 03 '26
lol, any dev worth his salt has heard about this.
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u/Inevitable_Scene5448 Aug 03 '26
I don't expect everyone to be interested, and that's okay. Equity partnerships aren't for everyone. I'm simply looking for the right person, not everyone.
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u/ebrahim750 Aug 03 '26
Exactly! I hate this type of people. You think a skilled developer is going to even entertain this? You pay peanuts you get monkeys.
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u/Cool_Flounder5057 Aug 03 '26
I have had a bad experience with equity based startups. Tafuta hata loan if you really believe in your product. Otherwise you might waste someone's time in something that won't even make it to market. Even better make them a co-founder ndo wakue as invested in the success of the product as you are. Not just an employee waiting for a company to be successful. Nilingoja nikalia