The Tech Ecosystem operates differently

If you are trying to break into the Nigerian tech scene—whether as an engineer, product manager, or growth marketer—the traditional corporate application process is too slow. Yaba startups (and the remote ones) move at breakneck speed.

Founders are busy putting out fires. They often don’t have the time to write formal job descriptions or sift through 500 CVs. If you can slide into their inbox and prove you can solve an immediate problem, you will get hired.

Here is the blueprint for pitching a startup founder directly:

  1. Do Deep Research: Don’t just say “I love your company.” Use their app. Find a bug. Identify a marketing gap. Figure out a problem they are currently facing.
  2. Find Their Direct Contact: Use LinkedIn or tools like Hunter.io to find the founder’s direct email address. Avoid the generic info@company.com.
  3. The Subject Line Must Hook Them: Use something specific. E.g., “Idea to improve user retention on [App Name]” or “Freelance UI Designer - Found a bug on your checkout page.”
  4. Deliver Value Upfront: Write a short, punchy email. Explain the problem you found, propose a brief solution, and link to your portfolio proving you have done this before.
  5. A Soft Call to Action: End with a low-friction request. “Are you open to a 10-minute chat this Thursday to discuss?”

Show, Don’t Tell

Founders care about execution. If you are a social media manager, don’t just send a CV. Send a mock content calendar for their brand. If you are a designer, redesign one of their screens and send it.

Yes, this is free work. But in the startup world, proving you can execute is the fastest way to skip the interview queue and secure the bag. Stop asking for permission; just start solving their problems.