Primer Talent
Searches across engineering, go-to-market, and operations for venture-backed companies. One recruiter on every search, from first message to signed offer.
What primer works on
Primer Talent runs contingency and embedded searches for venture-backed startups.
Seed through Series B. Mostly AI companies under 200 people.
Healthcare, defense, manufacturing, and fintech.
Many roles are onsite in San Francisco or New York. Some are remote.
Recent searches
For candidates
Here is how it works, from the first note to an offer.
Some clients are in stealth and others ask for discretion.
Company, comp range, and interview process come before any interview.
The role, the team, and what the company is screening for. If the role is wrong for you, you'll hear that on the call.
Your profile goes to a hiring team only after you say yes to that company.
You go into each round prepared and hear the client's feedback after it.
Working with Ryan costs candidates nothing. The hiring company pays the fee.
Questions about a message?
ryan@primertalent.comFor companies
Every search starts with a scoping call to pin down the role, the bar, and the dealbreakers before outreach begins.
Book a call →Search. One role, one fee on hire.
Embedded. An ongoing engagement across multiple roles, billed monthly. Ryan works inside your Slack and hiring process as your talent lead.
Direct sourcing. Each role gets its own target company list and outreach sequence.
Full pipeline management. Screening, scheduling, and candidate communication through signed offer.
About
Ryan has spent 15 years in recruiting, the last 11 with early-stage companies. He founded Primer Talent in 2026 and works from Florida with companies nationwide.
The last 11 working with founders and leadership teams at companies from Seed through Series B.
Now 10 Point Partners. Placed individual contributors through C-suite across engineering, sales, and operations.
Ryan handles each search himself, from first message to signed offer.
"primer reflects how I've always believed recruiting should work. Fewer clients, real ownership, and hiring done with care."Ryan McGuinness, Founder of primer
Roles Ryan has placed
FAQ