FAQ

Why do seed‑stage AI startups reject candidates with strong academic backgrounds?
Because they need immediate production impact, not theoretical depth. In the Q2 2024 RunAI HC, a PhD with three NeurIPS papers was vetoed 5‑0 for lacking a “sub‑100 ms inference” metric.

What single resume change can flip a 3‑3 tie to a hire?
Add a quantified cost or latency improvement tied to a real product. At Scale AI, a $120 k annual compute saving turned a deadlock into a 4‑2 approval.

How early should I discuss compensation to avoid a veto?
Never in the résumé. Bring it up after a qualified offer; seed caps at $190 k base and 0.04 % equity are non‑negotiable in early rounds.

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