Startup Jobs UK
Find the best startup recruitment agencies in the UK. Connect with specialist recruiters for tech, scale-up, and high-growth roles in London and beyond.
Why Work at a Startup?
Startups offer unparalleled opportunities for growth, impact, and wealth creation. The UK has Europe's largest startup ecosystem, with London, Manchester, and Bristol leading the charge in fintech, healthtech, and SaaS innovation.
Accelerated Growth
Learn faster, take on more responsibility, and progress your career at 2-3x the pace of corporate roles.
Equity Upside
Share in the company's success with stock options that could be worth multiples of your salary.
Real Impact
See your work directly affect the product, customers, and company trajectory from day one.
Startup Recruitment Services
Specialist agencies cover every function within the startup ecosystem, from technical hiring to commercial and operational leadership.
Tech Recruitment
Software engineers, CTOs, and tech leads for startups
Commercial Roles
Sales, marketing, and growth specialists
Operations
COOs, ops managers, and process experts
Product
Product managers and designers
Finance
CFOs, finance directors, and controllers
People & Culture
HR, talent, and culture leads
Why Use Our Directory?
We've done the research so you don't have to. Find the right recruitment agency for your startup career or hiring needs.
Startup Specialists
Agencies that truly understand the startup ecosystem, from seed to Series C and beyond.
Equity & Salary Data
Access comprehensive compensation data including equity packages for UK startup roles.
Career Guidance
Expert advice on transitioning from corporate to startup, or scaling your startup career.
London & Beyond
Find opportunities across London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, and remote-first startups.
How to Find the Right Agency
Your journey to finding the perfect startup recruitment agency starts here.
Browse Agencies
Explore our directory of leading startup recruitment agencies across the UK.
Find Your Niche
Filter by stage (seed, Series A+), sector (fintech, healthtech, SaaS), or role type.
Connect Directly
Reach out to agencies that match your experience and startup ambitions.
Land Your Role
Work with specialist recruiters who have exclusive access to startup opportunities.
Startup Recruitment Agency Guide UK
A startup recruitment agency specialises in placing candidates at early-stage, venture-backed, and high-growth companies. Unlike generalist recruiters, they understand the unique culture, compensation structures (including equity), and pace of the startup world.
Why Use a Startup Recruitment Agency?
Startup roles require a different approach to hiring. The best candidates often aren't actively looking, and the right fit depends on cultural alignment as much as skills. A specialist startup recruitment agency has networks in the ecosystem and understands what makes someone thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Startup Jobs London
London is home to Europe's largest startup ecosystem, with over 50 unicorns and thousands of funded startups across fintech, healthtech, edtech, and SaaS. The city attracts global talent and offers unparalleled opportunities for startup careers.
Scale-Up Recruitment
Scale-ups (post-Series A companies) have different hiring needs than early-stage startups. They need experienced operators who can build processes and lead teams while maintaining the agility that got them to this stage. Our directory includes agencies that specialise in both.
Ready to Find Your Agency?
Browse our directory and find the best startup recruitment agency for your career or hiring needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a startup recruitment agency?+
A startup recruitment agency specialises in placing candidates at early-stage and high-growth companies. They understand the unique culture, equity structures, and pace of startups, making them ideal partners for both candidates and hiring companies.
How much do startup jobs pay in the UK?+
Startup salaries vary widely based on stage, funding, and role. Entry-level roles at seed-stage startups might pay £30-50k, while senior roles at well-funded scale-ups can exceed £150k plus significant equity. London typically pays 10-20% more than other UK cities.
What's the difference between a startup and scale-up?+
Startups are typically early-stage companies (pre-seed to Series A) still finding product-market fit. Scale-ups are companies post-Series A that have proven their model and are focused on rapid growth. Recruitment needs differ significantly between the two.
Should I work at a startup or a big company?+
Startups offer faster learning, broader responsibilities, equity upside, and more impact. Big companies offer stability, structured progression, and established processes. Many successful professionals alternate between both throughout their careers.
How do I find startup jobs in London?+
Use specialist startup recruitment agencies (like those in our directory), job boards like Otta, Workable, and LinkedIn, attend startup events, and leverage your network. Many startup roles are never publicly advertised.
Do startup recruitment agencies charge candidates?+
No, reputable recruitment agencies never charge candidates. They are paid by the hiring company, typically a percentage of the placed candidate's first-year salary (usually 15-25%).