The Bootstrapped Dilemma

As a bootstrapped entrepreneur navigating the tumultuous seas of startup finances, Patrick’s every decision counts. This meant recognizing the unparalleled advantages of hiring freelancers. "Contractors just want to be paid," he remarked, highlighting the simplicity and flexibility freelancers bring. "You don't have to worry about picking the right candidate. You just say, I need somebody who knows how to code and can come in here and just kick ass. G2i sits in the middle, guaranteeing that relationship for both sides."

As the clock ticks and market dynamics shift, Patrick felt an increasing  urgency. "I needed someone to help develop the platform, to get to market faster," he shared. The stakes were high, and the path, fraught with challenges. Hiring a freelancer offered the flexibility to scale up or down based on needs, bring in expertise without long-term commitments, and, most importantly, help ship a new product without depleting their precious runway.

The Quest for the Right Talent

While the decision to hire a freelancer might have been easy, finding the right one was anything but. "Navigating the global talent pool is like searching for a needle in a haystack," Patrick recalls. The challenges of hiring software developers from other countries are. Cultural barriers, time zones, and communication gaps are just a few hurdles to overcome.

"Cultural differences aren't always well-understood," Patrick reflected. "As an American company founder, I've seen this firsthand."

Choosing G2i: A Transformative Decision

Amid these challenges, Patrick's decision to partner with G2i emerged as a game-changer. "I wanted a guarantee," he admitted. "With G2i, both the client and the freelancer get vetted, ensuring a smooth partnership."

Patrick appreciates G2i for its streamlined hiring process, commitment to providing professional developers, and flexibility in tailoring the collaboration to his specific needs. He states, "It's a fantastic way to expand our workforce without enduring the typical pains of hiring," and found that G2i developers seamlessly integrated into his team's processes despite being external specialists.

Patrick values the input and ideas that G2i developers bring, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative environment where "the best idea always wins." With G2i managing administrative aspects, Patrick was able to focus on the work and cultivating his relationships with developers. 

Raise Financial: Revolutionizing FinTech

With Patrick at the helm, Raise Financial is redefining the fintech landscape. They understood the challenges faced by everyday Americans—debt burdens, limited access to investment vehicles, and soaring education and healthcare expenses. 

The startup empowers individuals with a range of financial tools, including long-term investment accounts and a collaborative college savings platform. One of their flagship products is a high-yield savings account that provides customers with competitive interest rates, enabling everyday Americans to build a financial cushion for their children’s futures. Raise Financial’s vision is to create a transparent and fee-free financial system that empowers people to take control of their financial future and bridge generational wealth gaps.

With a G2i-vetted freelancer on board, Raise Financial soared to new heights. The synergy was palpable. "Our freelancer was not just a developer; he was a catalyst," Patrick emphasizes. From building the front-end with ChakraJS, setting up Stripe subscriptions to integrating with digital ledgers that enable groundbreaking financial products, their journey was accelerated, culminating in Raise being accepted into Barclays’ startup accelerator. A testament to the power of collaboration and the right talent.

The Freelancer Advantage: A Message to Fellow Founders

To startup CTOs and technical founders, the Raise Financial story sends a clear message: Embrace freelancers. They are not just resources; they are partners in your journey, catalysts who can accelerate your success. In the intricate dance of startup success, freelancers might just be the partners you need.

In the ever-evolving world of startups, every decision can make or break the future. Hiring freelancers, when done right, can be the turning point. That moment when you find the ladder to climb out and reach for the stars. Raise Financial's journey is a testament to this truth, a beacon for all founders navigating the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.

Get started now and find your trusted partner. Whether you're bootstrapped, pre-seed or beyond, G2i is ready to match you with pre-vetted engineers in the US, Canada, South America and Europe.