Cadre Reviews, Alternatives, and More in 2025 for Startups
Dover
July 27, 2025
•
5 mins
Cadre is a specialized network-based firm that connects startups with software engineers. Based in Los Angeles with approximately 30 employees, they're focused on building actual relationships with their clients by focusing on clear communication, trust and only bringing opportunities that really matter.
They work with early-stage startups and tech companies looking for engineering talent, with clients ranging from Pre-Series A startups to publicly traded tech companies and Venture Capitalists. Cadre also gives you access to their broader entrepreneurial community, so you gain the engineers you need now plus valuable connections down the road.
The key difference between network-based firms like Cadre and fractional recruiting platforms like Dover is ownership. With Cadre, you're dependent on their specific network and relationships. With Dover, you maintain control of your candidate pipeline while accessing expert startup recruiters when needed.
Fractional recruiting allows companies to reduce hiring costs, speed up time-to-fill positions and access specialized expertise without long-term commitments.
Understanding hiring best practices becomes important when reviewing different recruiting approaches.
Founded in 2006 by Jason Stomel, Cadre has built its reputation around creating a network-based approach to tech recruiting. The firm specializes in technology startups across multiple sectors including information technology, media, automotive, restaurant technology, robotics, drones and augmented reality.
They have evolved from traditional contingency recruiting toward a more relationship-focused model that focuses on long-term connections within the tech ecosystem. Positioning itself as "not a traditional agency, but rather a network," Cadre connects clients with renowned entrepreneurs and engineers. They play the long game, with some candidates having half of their career with companies Cadre has placed them at.
While Cadre has built itself up in the tech recruiting space, startups today are looking for more flexible solutions like Dover. Companies want solutions that adapt to their growth patterns rather than forcing them into rigid contracts or dependencies.
Cadre provides clients with a personalized recruiting experience, working behind the scenes to present the most curated talent. Their approach focuses on several key areas:
Network Access: Cadre offers help to companies land investors, customers, advisors and talent, positioning themselves as more than a recruiting firm.
Quality Focus: The company focuses on making each interaction relevant to client needs with personal recruiters.
Relationship Building: Using their communication and honesty first approach, they successfully pair engineers with company culture.
Specialization: Cadre works in software engineering recruitment, focusing on technical roles rather than generalist hiring.
While these features can be valuable, many startups find they need more control over their hiring process. Dover gives you that control with a free ATS that includes AI-powered candidate scoring, one-click job board posting and integrated sourcing tools.
Feature | Cadre | Dover |
|---|---|---|
Cost Structure | Contingency fees (20-30%) | Hourly fractional rates |
Pipeline Control | Agency owns relationships | You own all candidate data |
Flexibility | Single network approach | Multiple recruiter options |
Technology | Limited visibility | Full ATS + analytics |
Plus, when you need additional recruiting support, you can access fractional recruiters through Dover's marketplace without being locked into a single firm's approach. Understanding applicant tracking systems helps you see why maintaining control of your hiring pipeline matters so much for growing startups.
Cadre Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Positive Feedback: Cadre uses a very moral and ethical approach to recruiting that is unique. Staff describe the leadership as some of "the most helpful and accommodating people they've worked with, helping them make a good living and work on cool projects with interesting companies, praising the fun, inclusive culture."
Work Environment: The CEO is described as being right there in the trenches with the rest of the team, sourcing candidates and managing clients. When things don't work out, the company treats everything as a learning opportunity.
Challenges: Reviews note that they have key relationships with top VC firms and startups so the work can be very challenging and demanding, but if you're willing to work hard, they will support you.
While positive reviews indicate Cadre has built good internal culture, what matters most for your startup is finding a recruiting solution that gives you control and flexibility. Dover's approach lets you maintain ownership of your candidate relationships while accessing expert recruiters, making sure you're never relying on a single firm's approach.
Top Alternatives to Cadre for Startup Recruiting
While Cadre offers network-based recruiting, today's startups need more flexible, cost-effective solutions. Here are the leading alternatives:
Dover (Best Overall Alternative)
Dover stands out as the complete solution for startup recruiting, combining free software with on-demand fractional recruiting support. Dover offers fractional recruiters for startups through their marketplace, helping find experts to fill engineering, sales and other roles.
Why Dover is Superior:
Free ATS: Unlike agencies that control your candidate pipeline, Dover gives you a completely free applicant tracking system with unlimited jobs and users.
Fractional Recruiting Marketplace: Access vetted recruiters from their marketplace, connecting with top-tier recruiters specialized in your industry and role.
Transparent Pricing: Dover uses hourly billing models, typically resulting in lower overall costs than other agencies.
No Lock-in: Even if a recruiter changes, Dover's platform maintains all candidate relationships and recruiting data.
Dover connects companies with top fractional recruiters who are experienced, startup-savvy professionals with the ability to step in quickly in regard to managing sourcing, interviewing and closing without the cost or commitment of an agency or full-time hire.
Paraform
Paraform is a marketplace that connects startups with vetted freelance recruiters on demand. Startups post the roles they need to fill and independent recruiters compete to help without long-term commitments.
Wellfound
Wellfound is an AI-powered recruiting platform designed for startup hiring with access to 10M+ startup-ready candidates. They offer a free ATS with direct founder connections and upfront salary transparency.
Hunt Club
Hunt Club is a referral-based recruiting firm that works with 20,000+ subject matter experts to provide access to 8 million candidates through trusted introductions. They focus on high-growth startups from seed stage to IPO using relationship-driven recruiting methods.
Why Fractional Recruiting is Perfect for Startups
The rise of fractional executives and independent specialists has become a strategic response to companies' need for flexibility and expertise without long-term commitments, with LinkedIn reporting a 55% year-over-year increase in mentions of fractional roles in 2024. Let's look at why this is.
Key Benefits:
Cost Effective: Fractional recruiters typically charge $10,000–$20,000 per month for 15–20 hours per week, providing steady recruiting efforts and predictable costs.
Startup Expertise: Dover's recruiters have a proven track record in startup hiring, having sourced thousands of candidates and connecting with high-quality talent that fits the fast pace of startup life.
Flexible Scaling: Dover can assign multiple recruiters to your role at once when you need to ramp quickly, helping you find the right candidate faster.
Companies at any stage of growth can benefit from fractional talent acquisition to fill talent gaps quickly and economically, with fractional employment being especially beneficial for startups and SMBs.
The fractional model works particularly well for startups because hiring needs fluctuate often. You might need intensive support during a growth phase, then minimal help for months. Traditional agencies can't adapt to this reality. Understanding fractional recruiting benefits helps explain the sudden gain of traction here.
2025 Hiring Best Practices for Tech Startups
FAQ
Conclusion
Table of contents
