How many people are essential for your team to start conquering the new heights? In fact, many successful deep tech startups begin with a founder and 2-5 team members. When your startup is in its early days, its success will be determined by how many competent and ambitious people you have. Also, right from the start, quality should be over quantity. Never hire a new employee just because you are desperate to fill a position; find other solutions until you have found the right person.
It is interesting to note that the number of solo-founder startups has been steadily increasing over time. In 2024, about 30% of the startups had a single founder (source: solofounders.com, 2025).
We have compiled a list of the key roles every deep-tech startup typically needs in the pre-launch stage. Keep in mind that there are always exceptions to the rule.
This person is the owner of the technology, who ultimately holds responsibility for:
If the founder doesn’t have technical expertise, this role is essential.
Deep tech needs depth. This person is the glue between cutting-edge scientific research and a viable product pathway. He needs to:
This role will often sit between academia and application; domain experts will be the differentiators between hype and high-impact innovation.
Every product is designed for the user. Likewise, every product must satisfy a user’s pain point. Product & Customer Development lead uncovers true customer pain points, helps build the product with actual workflows, and may fit into a UX or PM role in a small team. His job is to make sure that your technology solves a relevant and crucial problem, and not just a solution looking for a problem.
For hardware, biotech, or medtech companies, you need someone who understands:
This role is often forgotten (until it is TOO LATE). Bring them on early if you are going to ship atoms and not bits. Is it possible to build a deep tech startup with just a few people? Definitely. The key criteria for the team are:
Small teams can often use advisors, consultants, or research partners to bridge gaps and build, but fill headcount reductions.
In deep tech, the emphasis is not on how many people you have but on what they bring.
Build your core team the same way you would build your technology: deliberately, precisely, and with a long-term view. A handful of exceptional people with the right combination of deep science capability, product thinking, and commercial drive can turn a breakthrough into a business.
Are you a founder building your team, or considering joining a team — whatever it is, focus on fit, capability, and complementary skills.
“AI helped shape this, but the ideas remain human at heart.”
TD Shepherd congratulates the Innoseis Sensor Technologies’ team on closing of their Seed round led by FORWARD.one. Innoseis ST is a spin-off from the Nikhef who transferring advanced research in gravitational-wave detection into commercial sensor technology.
Good connections often open more doors than cold emails or pitch decks. If you can establish relationships that truly matter, this can give your startup a strategic advantage.
How many people are essential for your team to start conquering the new heights? In fact, many successful deep tech startups begin with a founder and 2-5 team members. When your startup is in its early days, its success will be determined by how many competent and ambitious people you have.