By Elliot O'Conner, Founder of Exportly.ai
When you’re building a fast-moving technology company, hiring the right expertise at the right moment can make an outsized difference. At Exportly.ai, we reached one of those moments when pricing became a critical lever for growth — and we needed senior, battle-tested support to get it right.
At the time, I was specifically looking for someone with deep pricing expertise and a background from a top-tier consulting firm. This wasn’t a junior or exploratory role; we needed someone who could quickly understand our product, our market, and our commercial strategy, and then contribute at a high level from day one. At the same time, we were operating within a defined budget and timeline, and culture fit mattered just as much as technical credentials.
That’s when I connected with Stratverse.
From First Conversation to Shortlist — In Hours, Not Weeks
What stood out immediately was how efficiently and thoughtfully Stratverse approached the conversation. During our initial call, we didn’t just talk about the role on paper — we discussed scope, expectations, budget constraints, work ethic, and the type of personality that would actually thrive within Exportly.ai’s culture.
Within a few hours of that call, Stratverse came back with a profile that genuinely surprised me — in the best possible way.
They introduced me to Duarte, a former McKinsey & Company consultant who was already working in a similar technology environment in Portugal. The speed alone was impressive, but what mattered more was the fit. After interviewing Duarte, it was immediately clear that he checked every box. In fact, I didn’t feel the need to interview anyone else.
More Than a Resume Match
What Stratverse got right — and what I think differentiates them — is that Duarte wasn’t selected solely for his credentials. Yes, his background and analytical strength were exactly what we were looking for. But Stratverse had also vetted him carefully for personality, communication style, and work ethic.
They understood our team dynamic and knew he would integrate well — even though he would be working remotely from Lisbon while our core team was based in San Francisco. That level of cultural consideration gave me real peace of mind as a founder.
Seamless Onboarding and Immediate Impact
Duarte joined the project within days. The onboarding was smooth, expectations were clear, and there was no friction — he was productive almost immediately. What was initially scoped as a two-month engagement quickly evolved into something much more meaningful.
Duarte didn’t just meet expectations — he consistently overperformed. As trust built, we expanded his responsibilities, and he took on increasingly strategic work across pricing and broader commercial decision-making. What started as a short-term engagement ultimately turned into a 13-month collaboration.
Commercial Alignment That Worked for Everyone
Another area where Stratverse added significant value was on the commercial side. They supported us through rate discussions and helped align Duarte’s compensation with our budget constraints — in a way that felt fair, transparent, and sustainable for all parties involved.
As a founder, that mattered. I could focus on building the business, knowing that Stratverse was handling sourcing, negotiations, and alignment professionally and efficiently.
A True Partner in Critical Moments
Looking back, what impressed me most was not just how fast Stratverse delivered — but how well they understood what we actually needed. They listened carefully, translated our requirements into the right profile, and executed with speed and precision.
Stratverse didn’t just help us hire a consultant. They helped us bring in the right person at a critical stage of our journey — someone who made a lasting impact on the company.
I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again, and I would strongly recommend Stratverse to founders and leaders who need senior talent they can trust, without the usual friction or delays.
