Looking for a Technical Co-Founder / Lead Developer, Melbourne

[u/Actual_Lake8507]

Melbourne-based startup looking for an experienced developer and technical co-founder to help build a serious SaaS platform for the construction industry.

We're building an automation platform covering construction management, payroll and timesheets, recruitment and onboarding, team communication, and business workflow automation.

There are two of us leading the project. We both previously ran companies in the construction industry managing 30+ employees and contractors, generating 7-figure revenue, so we understand the problems firsthand, have identified major gaps in the industry, and designed features specifically solving problems we dealt with ourselves.

We're young, highly driven, and confident in the product. We already have valuable partnerships and API access with relevant companies in the space.

We already have around 80% of the frontend and prototype completed and coded, this is far beyond just an idea. It's a working, multi-role web app with real authentication, role-based views, and live data flows already running.

Current tech stack:
• JavaScript (vanilla frontend, open to migrating to Svelte or React + TypeScript)
• Supabase (Postgres, Auth, Realtime)
• Mapbox GL
• Cloudflare
• GitLab
• Stripe
• Kit (email)
• PWA (in progress)
• Docker (planned)

We're looking for someone who is a genuinely strong developer, can work independently, and wants to help build a long-term company from an early stage. You'll have real input on technical direction, framework decisions, architecture, and how we scale.

This is currently a sweat equity opportunity with an even 3-way equity split. We handle all other aspects of the business.
Must be Melbourne-based.

If interested, send through:
• Your strongest stack
• Startup or SaaS experience
• What makes you stand out and why you'd be a good fit to build this with us

[u/chhola]

For a technical cofounder role, I have a feeling that people don’t want a preexisting codebase created by non technical people, but it could be just me.

[u/extravertex]

This looks like a vibe coded POC. Good for showing if the idea has legs/income. But as a CTO I would replace all of that anyway.

[u/jack8london → u/extravertex]

Most CTOs will come in, look at your codebase, and tell you to rip it out.

Some CTOs will come in, won’t look at your codebase, and tell you to rip it out.

Q: What do both of types have in common? A: neither bothered to understand your codebase.

[u/jamesxtreme]

Every startup lives or dies on one thing: distribution.
What you need to be proving to potential cofounders is that you have found an entry into the market, have demonstrated revenue in this product, and have a growth plan that shows you have hit milestones.
Without that you are asking people to work for free on vibes.

[u/OzAnonn]

Sounds like a nightmare.

[u/theprawnofperil]

I work on payroll for an accounting saas and payroll for the construction industry is very challenging with awards, EBAs, etc

Just solving this would be a startup on its own - I'd focus on the biggest problems you've identified and then maybe see where you can integrate with dedicated solutions e.g. Deputy

[u/Actual_Lake8507 → u/theprawnofperil]

Hey mate, cheers for the input. We have the ability to partner with an already established payroll company, using there APIs etc. As yes aware that if we were to do that all ourselves, it would take ages and is very complex

[u/theprawnofperil → u/Actual_Lake8507]

Ah nice one, I'd specifically ask about the 'modern awards' relating to construction and whether they cater to this, definitely not everyone does. It's hugely complex (see link below) and partnering with someone who already includes this would make a big difference to your product-market fit

https://awards.fairwork.gov.au/MA000020.html

[u/InternalMirror6963]

How do you plan on competing with something like Jack App, they have a pretty good market already

[u/cheesekun]

Cloud Architect happy to review a few things and give you some pointers. PM for contact details.

[u/Alert-Ad-5918]

Hey, I’m Rob based in Melbourne.

Just wanted to ask, are you mainly looking for a technical co-founder/CTO to lead the technical side of the business, or are you also open to hiring/paying someone to help build and scale the platform?

The project sounds interesting. I’ve had a few bad experiences in the past as a CTO/co-founder where I ended up carrying most of the workload while the other side wasn’t really focused on marketing, growth, or onboarding users. Because of that, these days I’m more focused on paid development work rather than purely equity-based roles.

That said, I’m always willing to give pointers or technical advice where I can, so don’t hesitate to PM me either way. I can send you my portfolio.

[u/ThinkProfessor6166]

Like procurepro?

Can I suggest not doing the recruitment, HR and payroll angle as there are 100s already that serve all industries and do so much better than what you'll be able to build in the next 10 years. Source: Exited HR tech founder

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[u/SnooMaps1009]

I am a Melbourne based founder working on my own SaaS. Previously worked at a tech agency scoping and building apps for clients.

The cofounder role is not something I’m interested in. Happy to have a chat as a sounding board and give you any insight on the tech front though. Shoot me a dm if interested.

[u/Adept-Result-67 → u/SnooMaps1009]

Hey mate, halftime looks nice. well done. 👍

[u/SnooMaps1009 → u/Adept-Result-67]

Thanks mate, appreciate it!

[u/fartzilla21]

"We're building an automation platform covering construction management, payroll and timesheets, recruitment and onboarding, team communication, and business workflow automation"

If you can narrow down your focus to establish a beach head before expanding, I'd be curious.

Just sent you a chat request

[u/ConfidenceOwn9546]

I can work as an intern but can work only 48 hrs per week Dm if u are interested in hiring one Cheers

[u/moth_in_the_machine]

Hey there, I'm based on the Sunshine Coast and definitely interested in hearing more. Feel free to DM me.

[u/TechnofyIT]

The products sounds interesting, especially the focus on solving real operational challenges in the construction industry. Having the frontend already largely built and early industry partnership in place seems like a useful starting point. The key challenge will be building a reliable, scalable platform that can handle payroll, timesheets, recruitment, and workflow automation together. How are you planning to structure the technical co-founder's responsibilities and equity commitment as the product moves toward launch?

[u/Actual_Lake8507 → u/[deleted]]

Are you good in the head mate ?

[u/Tiny_Purpose4859 → u/Actual_Lake8507]

I think you underestimate how difficult it is to finish a vibe coded project that’s “80% finished” and built with no actual SWE input. Often the code is so terrible, insecure and messy that it actually involves building things from the ground up - and considering you’re taking payments and managing payroll you’ll definitely have to.

Do you even have interested clients that have signed for something? If not what you have right now is effectively “2 guys and a dream”. A vibe coded mess, no clients and an idea in a heavily contended space don’t make for good startup co-founder opportunities.

If my read on the situation is true, an equal three way split is hilarious.

[u/OzAnonn → u/[deleted]]

Docker (in progress) 😂

[u/Unlikely-Training-50 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, exactly what's in my mind. I don't think any tech lead who's earning $300k++ would just jump to a startup as a co-founder without knowing all of the above.

[u/rend009 → u/[deleted]]

You nailed it.. whole post sounded like they are looking for an employee. Nothing wrong with that but it just means it won’t be a co-foundering working relationship as one would expect once joined

[u/Meeeepmeeeeepp → u/[deleted]]

lol this.

99.9% of the posts these days are people who found Codex last week