In this episode of the Venture Stories podcast, talent acquisition in venture capital and startups takes center stage, featuring insights from experts Andy Chen and Jose Guardado. They dive into how the roles of talent partners and recruiters have evolved from being minimal to essential. The conversation highlights the transformation in startup hiring practices, moving from disjointed approaches to more integrated in-house strategies. Listeners will find valuable tips on selecting co-founders and building effective early teams. Key recommendations include enhancing candidate experience, focusing on outstanding hires, and using a structured process for co-founder selection that resembles a recruiting funnel. This episode equips listeners with actionable strategies for creating high-performing teams, managing co-founder dynamics, and optimizing compensation to attract and retain top talent.