Launch teams for early-stage startups

Launch, test, and scale with a part-time team of the world’s top talent.

With talent from

Your expert launch engine

First Gear is the first marketing engine for early-stage startups, getting you from product to launch to scale, with a part-time, expert pod of marketers and designers.

Your startup pit crew to get you to the finish line and beyond

In the fast-paced startup world, speed is everything. But with speed, must come precision. First Gear assembles focused teams dedicated to meeting your specific needs with a sustainable marketing model built for steady, manageable growth.

→ Tailored expert team at a fraction of your typical cost

→ Both strategy and tactical execution, with clear deliverables

→ Dedicated Slack channel and weekly team check-ins

→ Robust documentation designed for long-term scale

How it works

  • Assessment Call

    We’ll ask questions about your business to figure out areas of priority and need.

  • Proposal

    An assigned Head of Marketing will create a tailored proposal outlining team, deliverables, and terms.

  • Pod Build

    Once accepted, we’ll build your team with the most relevant marketers and designers for a 3-6 month term.

  • Hand-off

    Your Head of Marketing will design hand-off proposals and hire full-time replacements for the post-launch period.

Everyone you need to launch and scale

  • Your partner and strategist, defining what your startup needs to launch and grow, and how to execute effectively.

  • A specialist in diving consumer and/or business demand through paid and owned channels, maximizing your budget.

  • An expert in customer knowledge and bringing to life your productroadmap, audience, messaging, and tactical GTM plans.

  • Your creative nucleus, merging strategic foresight with artistic flair, molding your startup's brand story, and orchestrating a cohesive narrative across all touchpoints.

First Gear - a trusted partner for your success

Our First Gear team, led by Jorge Samayoa, transformed Zapp's launch with their exceptional marketing expertise, creating our department from scratch. They defined a sophisticated GTM strategy, created impactful marketing materials, built Zapp's brand, and led the product launch through all stages—alpha, beta, and launch. Their strategic connections and innovative approach significantly propelled our success and growth.

Jose Luis Orozco, CEO, Zapp
Pre-Seed, Consumer FinTech

Valerie, from the First Gear team, expertly guided Genuin from concept to market. She built out a team of marketers and designers launch the app within six months, establishing a solid PMF through brand and product strategy, market research, and executing GTM initiatives. Additionally, Valerie spearheaded Genuin’s B2B marketing efforts, helping secure key early customers. Her strategic vision has been crucial to Genuin’s rapid growth.

Jim Spare, Advisor, Genuin
Founder-Funded, Social Media App/AdTech

I had the privilege of working with Valerie from the First Gear team on Genuin’s B2B business. Her strategic foresight in crafting a comprehensive product roadmap and robust marketing and sales strategy, and guiding our marketing, design and sales team, was key to launching our product. This approach secured our first five pilot customers. Valerie’s skill in transforming complex needs into actionable strategies, along with her leadership in team-building, makes her an invaluable asset.

Joshua Winograd, CRO, Genuin
Founder-Funded, Social Media App/AdTech

Ready to get started?

This is for you if:

✔️ You are an early-stage startup (pre-seed to Series B).

✔️ You have raised at least $1M in funding, and have space to designate a small but mighty marketing budget, yet you aren’t ready to build a full marketing team.

✔️ You are a tech-B2C business, a D2C business, or a B2B SaaS business (our expertise!).

✔️ You are in the pre or early-PMF stage, and are eager to cross the chasm with a structured and vetted, product and marketing approach that can scale.

Meet our First Gear CMO’s

Strategic minds, impactful results.

Jorge Samayoa

Marketing Leader, specialized in Marketing Strategy, Product & Growth Marketing

Valerie Angelkos

Marketing Leader, specialized in Product, Growth and Brand Marketing

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t see your question answered? Email us.

  • Engagements typically span 3 to 6 months, tailored to meet the unique needs and timelines of your start-up.

  • Yes, we offer advisory services post-launch to ensure a seamless transition and maintain the momentum established by our launch project with your full-time team.

  • Our part-time pod will dedicate between 5 to 15 hours per week to your project, adjustable according to your business requirements and budget.

  • We can begin work one week after the proposal is accepted, with the full pod operational within 2 to 4 weeks, tailored to your business's specific needs.