Building ventures IT support: 4 ways to get IT support for your venture

Option 1: Find a technical co-founder

This is like finding a business partner who happens to be a master builder. They'll help design and build your digital product while sharing ownership of the company.

Where to find them: Y Combinator's co-founder matching program has the highest success rates, while platforms like CoFoundersLab connect over 600,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. AngelList also offers networking opportunities with technical talent.

What it costs: Typically 10-30% of your company's equity, usually with a four-year vesting schedule.

The upside: You get someone who's as invested in success as you are. Investors love co-founder teams, and startups with multiple founders raise 30% more investment on average. Plus, you have a true partner for the long haul.

The downside: You're giving away a significant chunk of your company before you've even proven the idea works. Finding the right person can take 6-12 months, and founder relationships go wrong in about 23% of startups.

Best when: You're building something that requires deep technical expertise, plan to raise venture capital, or need someone committed for the long term.

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Option 2: Partner with a development agency

Think of this as hiring a construction company. They bring a whole team with different specialties, from architects to electricians, all working together on your project.

At Eli5, we specialize in exactly this kind of partnership. We work with early-stage ventures to build (business-critical) software from concept to production. What makes us different is our selective approach, we only take on clients where we can make a real impact, ensuring you get our full attention rather than being just another project in the queue.

What it costs: Typically $3,000-15,000 per month for ongoing work, or $45,000-450,000 for complete projects. Some studios like Eli5 also offer equity partnerships where you give % ownership in exchange for reduced fees.

The upside: You get immediate access to a full team of experts without the hassle of hiring. They've solved similar problems before, so they can move fast and avoid common mistakes. You can scale the team up or down based on your needs.

The downside: You have less day-to-day control, and there might be some friction if your working styles don't mesh. When the project ends, all the technical knowledge walks out the door with them.

Best when: You need professional results quickly, don't have technical oversight skills, or require multiple types of expertise simultaneously.

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Option 3: Hire freelancers

This is like bringing in specialist contractors. Need a plumber? Hire a plumber. Need an electrician? Hire an electrician. You manage the project, but you get experts for each piece.

Where to find them: Toptal screens only the top 3% of developers but charges premium rates ($60-150/hour). Upwork offers a broader marketplace ($15-100/hour), while Fiverr works well for specific projects ($5-500+ per project).

What it costs: About 30-60% less than full-time employees, with additional savings if you hire from countries with lower costs of living.

The upside: You only pay for what you need, when you need it. Great for specific skills or short-term projects. Much faster than hiring employees.

The downside: Quality varies wildly, and you need enough technical knowledge to evaluate their work. Managing multiple freelancers can become a full-time job. Plus, your best freelancers might disappear when they find better opportunities.

Best when: You have a specific project with clear requirements, need specialized skills temporarily, or want to build an MVP before committing to bigger investments.

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Option 4: Hire a developer on payroll

This is like employing a full-time builder. They're dedicated to your project, learn your business inside and out, and grow with your company.

What it really costs: A $100,000 developer actually costs you $125,000-140,000 when you include benefits, equipment, taxes, and office space. Junior developers average around $80,000, while seniors command $140,000+.

The equity question: Your first technical hire typically gets about 1.5% equity, usually vesting over four years with a one-year cliff.

The upside: Complete dedication to your project, deep understanding of your business, and full control over their work. They become invested in your success.

The downside: Huge upfront commitment before you know if your idea will work. Finding good developers takes 3-6 months and costs over $5,000 in recruiting. You're competing with every other company for the same talent.

Best when: You've proven your idea works, have 18-24 months of funding secured, and need someone dedicated to building and maintaining your technology long-term.

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The smart move: Build a prototype first

Before choosing any of the four options above, there's something you should always consider: building a quick prototype yourself using no-code tools. Think of this as sketching your house plans before meeting with architects.

This isn't about replacing professional development. It's about understanding what you want to build and speaking the same language when you talk to potential co-founders, agencies, freelancers, or employees.

Popular platforms: Bolt for complex web applications, FlutterFlow for mobile apps, and Webflow for websites. Also general LLMS like Claude and GPT get better and better in building interactive applications. Most offer free tiers, with business features costing $60-99/month.

Why this changes everything: When you've built something, even a basic version, you understand your product better. You can show potential technical partners exactly what you envision instead of trying to describe it. You've worked through the core user experience and discovered problems you didn't know existed.

Success stories: Major companies like Comet (raised €14 million) and Dividend Finance (raised $365 million) started with no-code foundations, proved their concepts, then grew into full custom platforms.

The power of having something to show: When you meet a potential technical co-founder with a working prototype, you demonstrate commitment and understanding of your market. You can walk them through actual user flows and show real user feedback, making it much easier for them to envision the technical challenges and opportunities.

Best approach: Spend 2-4 weeks building a basic version of your core idea. Use it to validate demand, understand user behavior, and create concrete discussion material. Then use this foundation to make smarter decisions about options 1-4.

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Which path should you choose?

Here's the thing: you don't have to pick just one. Many successful startups combine these approaches as they grow.

Start with your prototype. Spend a few weeks building something basic with no-code tools. This gives you credibility and clarity when approaching the other options.

Then choose based on your situation: If you want a true partner for the long haul, find a technical co-founder. If you need professional results quickly, work with an agency like Eli5. If you have specific projects with clear requirements, hire freelancers. If you've proven your idea and have funding, bring developers in-house.

The key is matching your choice to where you are right now and what you've learned from your prototype. Having something to show makes every conversation more productive, whether you're pitching to co-founders, briefing agencies, or evaluating freelancers.

Remember, the best technical solution is the one that gets your idea in front of customers quickly so you can learn what they actually want. Start simple, learn fast, then scale up your approach as you grow.