Backd support founders in their toughest challenge:
hiring great people
Backd is a bespoke recruitment partner for early-stage US startups, specialising in helping VC-backed founders scale from Pre-seed to Series C without compromising on quality. We bypass the “fluff” of traditional hiring to deliver high-impact Mobile and Software engineers who align with your culture and accelerate your roadmap.
By prioritising a seamless candidate experience and long-term fit over mindless resume volume, we ensure your team has the world-class talent required to turn rapid growth into a lasting competitive advantage.
Backd exists for startups that need real builders.
Hiring engineers at an early stage is tough. You’re competing with big tech salaries, limited time, and a roadmap that cannot slip.
That’s where we come in.
Backd works predominantly with pre seed to Series C startups, helping founders hire their early engineering team. The people who enjoy solving messy problems, shipping quickly, and owning what they build. We focus on a narrow niche so we can do it properly predominantly Mobile & Software Engineers. Because we work closely with early-stage companies every day, we understand the reality of startup hiring.
Speed matters. Quality matters even more.
Our approach is simple: quality not quantity Every introduction is someone we believe can genuinely contribute to your team.
Trusted by founders at every stage
From pre-seed to Series C, we have helped US startups hire the talent they need to scale. Our partners value us for our speed, precision, and human approach.
How we build your team
Book a free consultation
Targeted search and selection
Seamless hire and integration
Connecting at key tech events.
Defining goals with founders.
Partnering throughout the journey.
Perspectives from the field
See how we have helped top engineers and product leaders find their next challenge at some of the most innovative startups in the US.
Working with Cathal was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had in a job search. He wasn’t just a recruiter — he was a true advocate. From day one, he cheered me on, went the extra mile to help me put my best foot forward, and made sure I had every advantage going into each interview.
What really set Cathal apart was his consistency. He followed up after every single interview, win or lose, and when things didn’t go as hoped, he stuck with me and kept me motivated. That kind of persistence and genuine care is rare.
If you’re looking for someone who will truly invest in your success, Cathal is your person. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again — and I fully intend to when the time comes.
I had a really great experience working with Cathal and would absolutely recommend him to
anyone.
He reached out at a time when I was exploring some options, and from the beginning it was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me find the right fit. He sent thoughtful interview prep before every conversation, with context on the company and team, which helped me feel much more prepared going into each interview.
What stood out most was how involved and responsive he was throughout the process. He checked in regularly, was always easy to reach, and actually asked for my feedback on the companies and interview experiences so he could adjust and improve the search (and improve his process even more). It felt like a real partnership, and that made a big difference. We eventually landed on an offer I felt genuinely good about.
Cathal is also just a kind, easygoing, and straightforward person to work with, which made the whole process feel a lot less stressful. I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking for a new role!
Cathal is an excellent recruiter, will fight for you every step of the way and help you land the right role. Highly recommend!
I had the pleasure of working with Cathal and I can confidently say he is one of the best recruiters I’ve partnered with in my career. He reached out to me for a CTO opportunity that turned out to be an exceptional fit and I ultimately made the transition into the new role.
From start to finish, Cathal was incredibly detail-oriented, punctual, and highly organized. He communicated clearly at every stage of the process, set expectations thoughtfully, and consistently followed up to ensure nothing fell through the cracks. His preparation and professionalism made the entire experience seamless and efficient.
If you’re a candidate looking for someone who is thorough, proactive, and genuinely excellent at what they do or a company seeking top-tier talent, I couldn’t recommend Cathal more highly.
I had the pleasure of working with Cathal recently and I can confidently say that he is one of the most dedicated and passionate recruiters that I’ve worked with. His patience, support and guidance throughout the process was incredible and I genuinely recommend him to anyone who’s looking for their next opportunity.
Working with Cathal was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had in a job search. He wasn’t just a recruiter — he was a true advocate. From day one, he cheered me on, went the extra mile to help me put my best foot forward, and made sure I had every advantage going into each interview.
What really set Cathal apart was his consistency. He followed up after every single interview, win or lose, and when things didn’t go as hoped, he stuck with me and kept me motivated. That kind of persistence and genuine care is rare.
If you’re looking for someone who will truly invest in your success, Cathal is your person. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again — and I fully intend to when the time comes.
I had a really great experience working with Cathal and would absolutely recommend him to
anyone.
He reached out at a time when I was exploring some options, and from the beginning it was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me find the right fit. He sent thoughtful interview prep before every conversation, with context on the company and team, which helped me feel much more prepared going into each interview.
What stood out most was how involved and responsive he was throughout the process. He checked in regularly, was always easy to reach, and actually asked for my feedback on the companies and interview experiences so he could adjust and improve the search (and improve his process even more). It felt like a real partnership, and that made a big difference. We eventually landed on an offer I felt genuinely good about.
Cathal is also just a kind, easygoing, and straightforward person to work with, which made the whole process feel a lot less stressful. I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking for a new role!
Cathal is an excellent recruiter, will fight for you every step of the way and help you land the right role. Highly recommend!
I had the pleasure of working with Cathal and I can confidently say he is one of the best recruiters I’ve partnered with in my career. He reached out to me for a CTO opportunity that turned out to be an exceptional fit and I ultimately made the transition into the new role.
From start to finish, Cathal was incredibly detail-oriented, punctual, and highly organized. He communicated clearly at every stage of the process, set expectations thoughtfully, and consistently followed up to ensure nothing fell through the cracks. His preparation and professionalism made the entire experience seamless and efficient.
If you’re a candidate looking for someone who is thorough, proactive, and genuinely excellent at what they do or a company seeking top-tier talent, I couldn’t recommend Cathal more highly.
I had the pleasure of working with Cathal recently and I can confidently say that he is one of the most dedicated and passionate recruiters that I’ve worked with. His patience, support and guidance throughout the process was incredible and I genuinely recommend him to anyone who’s looking for their next opportunity.