“We just need to hire some people.”
Famous last words.
For many founders, getting that first funding round means finally being able to grow the team. It’s exciting and a little terrifying. One minute you’re swapping Slack messages about product strategy with your co-founder, the next you’ve got 20 employees, a complaints log, and someone asking where the HR policy is.
At Buzzqube, we work with startups right at this tipping point, when growth is inevitable but structure hasn’t caught up. And what we’ve learned is this: scaling your people function doesn’t have to mean becoming “corporate.” But it does need to be deliberate.
So, how do you grow without chaos?
Here’s a quick framework we use when supporting startups through their first major growth phase:
- Foundations first
Before you do anything, sort your basic HR hygiene:- Clear offer letters and contracts
- A fit-for-purpose employee handbook (short and sweet is fine)
- A place to store everything securely (Google Drive is a start, but don’t stay there forever)
- Be clear on roles before you hire
That “Swiss army knife” generalist phase has its limits. As you scale:- Define roles and responsibilities, even loosely
- Think in terms of capabilities, not just titles
- Watch for overlaps and unclear accountability – they will create tension down the line
- Don’t put off the people questions
You will need to think about:- Pay equity
- Career progression
- Performance feedback
Ignoring these in the early days creates bigger problems later. You don’t need complex frameworks, but you do need consistency and clarity.
- Don’t overbuild
There’s a temptation to bring in big systems or senior HR hires too early. But you may just need:- A part-time people partner
- A light-touch HRIS
- Someone to write policies you’ll actually use
That’s where Buzzqube Sprint or Navigator can help (shameless plug)
- Keep communication human
People join startups because they want to be close to the action. You can’t scale one-to-one contact forever, but you can:- Build regular comms habits early (Slack, Notion, standups)
- Keep feedback loops short
- Be visible, even if just asynchronously
Scaling is about people as much as product.
Get the foundations right, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and headaches down the line.
Angela Rieu-Clarke, MD, Buzzqube
