Every Startup Needs a Jared
Early-stage startups are full of energy and chaos. Ideas are sharp, momentum is real, and every day brings a hundred new problems to solve. That is why every founder needs a Jared.
Not the title, the archetype. The Jared-from Silicon Valley type: low ego, highly organised, calm under pressure, focused on getting things done. The person who turns vision into action, uncertainty into structure, and “we should” into “it is done”.
A Jared is not always a hire; they can be a co-founder too. I have been lucky enough to work with mine. Will was my co-founder at Everfund. Through four pivots, millions raised, and the hardest personal and professional challenges of my life, he was the steady hand that kept the train moving while I laid the track. When I was deep in product and vision, Will was handling the operational fire drills, the hiring, the investor updates, and the processes that held the company together.
Where a Jared is most valuable
A Jared earns their place across the whole company. In fundraising, they track every VC conversation, follow up at the right time, and keep the data room ready so nothing slips through the cracks. In operations, they handle hiring pipelines, manage suppliers, and make sure the right people are in the right place at the right time. In product, they turn vague ideas into clear plans and keep teams unblocked.
At Everfund, Will did all of this while spotting risks early, giving us the space to act before small issues became big problems. I remember one week in particular when we were in the middle of closing a funding round and a major product release. I was firefighting bugs hours before launch, and Will was on back-to-back calls with investors, calmly keeping momentum going and securing commitments. By Friday, the release was live, the round had moved forward, and neither ball had been dropped. That is what a Jared does.
Why a Jared is not always the leader
A Jared is often the perfect person to step into the CEO role one day, but not on day one. Pushing them into it too early can burn them out and pull them away from what they do best. Their strength is in making things run smoothly while the founder drives the vision.
Think Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. Jobs set the direction, Cook made it work. In time, Cook became CEO, but only when the company was ready for his style of leadership. The founder’s job is to protect their Jared until that point comes.
What a great Jared does in the earliest days
- Turns strategy into clear weekly plans and removes blockers
- Protects the team’s focus by handling operational work
- Manages finances, hiring, suppliers, and the go-to-market rhythm
- Spots risks early and raises warnings so the worst outcomes are avoided
- Brings calm to big decisions and attention to the details
- Builds simple systems that scale just enough, not more
Product is not enough on its own. Execution is a team effort, and the right operator changes the pace of progress. Every early startup benefits from having a Jared, whether they are a co-founder or a hire. The person who keeps the train moving while the builders lay the next stretch of track at full speed.
If you are that steady hand who enjoys turning chaos into clarity, this is your role. And if you are a founder, find your Jared early. You will go further, faster, and with fewer regrets.