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champchamp

Certified Savage

Arsonist
Politicker
Acclaimed Answer
+7

Stealth Startup

What's up Savages,

Today I have a first round interview with a "Stealth Startup" for an AE role. 

It is the first time I hear the term an was curious to learn if anyone's got experience working at one?

I signed an NDA prior to our interview and checked the person's LI and it says "Recruiter at Stealth Startup".

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts about it as well as if someone has experience working at one. 

Here's a link that explains a bit.  


🧠 Advice
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
📳 SaaS
9

26 comments

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TennisandSales
Politicker
4
Head Of Sales
so ive heard of this before, but i havnt heard of a stealth start up looking to hire an AE....that seems...odd. 

Personally i dont like the concept of a stealth start up i think building something in public give you SUCH a better chance of being successful, building an audience and a following for when things are more commercial. 

Im curious to learn how you sell something that is in stealth mode.....when does the prospect get to hear the name of the company. 

im imagining the cold call: 

"hi mark this is Tabatha from.....well I cant tell you but do you have a second?"
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Haha, i imagine that cold-call scenario and it is hilarious. It wouldn't be the case though because it seems to be set up in a way that one company owns multiple smaller ones. 

So, it seems like we can share the name of the small company we are a part of but not the larger org. 
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
ah I see. 

Too bad I would have like to hear how those calls would go 😂

Do you have a next step with this secret company?
SaaSam
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Interesting. I guess I don't really have an opinion. Would depend entirely on the product. If it's just going to be another competitor in an already saturated industry, run.

However, if they really do have a disruptive new product and you see a ton of value in it, might be a good option. Imagine being the only one selling something that quickly becomes a "must-have" for everyone in the industry. Gravy.

Sucks you signed an NDA, would be cool if you could tell us what the product is after the interview.
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
I think you are right on point. I just got off the call with them and it seems like a truly "disruptive product" as cliche as that may sound lol. 

They shared the founder's name and it is a big, big baller. I got another interview set up and the hiring process is fast, so we'll see!
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Is this the same gig as @tazman2 ?

<removed post>
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
I had the EXACT same thought. Had never heard of one before.
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
First time hearing about it too, it isn't the same one though haha
tazman2
Opinionated
1
Investment Sales Associate
If he is applying for an AE role, it is likely not the same organization I was in touch with. I did have to sign and NDA before onboarding, however not before the interview. @jefe @champchamp 
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Hmm... interesting, it isn't. At this one, they are offering a full-time role and the messaging is completely different. 

Also, they just told me who the founder of this company is and it is definitely not the same as the people mentioned in this post. 
butwhy
Politicker
3
Solutions Engineer
It better be with founders you really, really like or with a VP of Sales you have worked for before. Otherwise you are heading into incredibly choppy waters with an inevitable pivot or two product wise as you exit stealth and determine product market fit. 
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
Great, great point. The founder is a huuuuuge name with previous industry experience. Ill make a post about it in a couple minutes. 
alonzoharris
Politicker
3
Partner Manager
I currently work at a "stealth startup" - would love to answer any particular questions you have
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Hahaha thought the same thing 😂. What's your industry? Can't share. What's your buyer persona? Can't share lol. 
alonzoharris
Politicker
4
Partner Manager
Based on your other comments here, it seems like you’re interviewing where I work. All the best in the interview process!
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Haha damn, I just realized i didn't get your first comment 😂. I thought you were making a joke.

Like if a recruiter asked me later on when interviewing for a role, but I just read it again and realize you actually do work for a stealth start up lol. 
champchamp
Arsonist
2
Certified Savage
Thanks man! @alonzoharris So, how is the inbound flow taking into consideration that it is a stealth startup? I was told it'd be mainly a hunter role but would get some inbound too. 

Can you share what your industry is?

In what ways has it been different from working at a regular start-up? 
alonzoharris
Politicker
2
Partner Manager
I work in channel sales so I'm mostly doing relationship management and haven't worked as an AE here.

From how I understand it, it's mostly going to be hunter/outbound with a sprinkle of inbound. There are quite a few channel leads (enterprise, partners) but there are separate teams for that. I'd get more clarity as to which basket you'll be falling into.

We work in the restaurant/hospitality space and it really hasn't been different from a regular start-up minus not posting your company name on linkedin - growing really rapidly so you get the opportunity to shine and move into other roles. Really wish there was a DM feature as it would've made this convo easier lol
coletrain
Politicker
0
Account Executive
One: *I'm* pretty sure I know now based on the info in this thread.

Two: There is a DM feature on the app
alonzoharris
Politicker
0
Partner Manager
@coletrain this thread was before the launch of the DM feature
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
I'm on the fence here. 
champchamp
Arsonist
1
Certified Savage
Me too haha. Got off the call with the recruiter and got a lot more info. Will post later today when I have a few minutes. 
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
So pre-pre-revenue...

Not in this economy
champchamp
Arsonist
0
Certified Savage
No sir, it is earning revenue already. I'll share more details in another post. 
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
I’m iffy on stealth startups usually means they’re not even at series A yet and have no idea if the product will have a market or how that market will accept or deny it. But hey if the moneys right…
JDialz
Politicker
0
Chief Operating Officer
Several of our clients are at stealth startups. They all do VERY well on the engineering side. I have no idea how sales would work though.

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