Fractional HR Leadership
A part-time Head of HR on demand. You get judgement, structure, and a sounding board without the enterprise overhead.
HR for tech startups Melbourne
Scale Your Startup, Not Your People Problems
You're shipping product fast. Why let contracts, hiring, and hybrid work chaos quietly burn runway? We build lean people systems for Melbourne founders who need momentum, not bureaucracy.
ESOP guidance
Developer hiring
Hybrid policy design
Startup-Focused HR Services
What does a lean HR stack actually look like?
It's not a pile of policies. It's the right mix of hiring systems, founder-friendly compliance, and people operations that can grow with the cap table.
Tech Talent Sourcing
Developers, UX/UI, and product people who fit early-stage pace. Why settle for generic recruitment when the market is this competitive?
Culture & Handbook
Values-aligned policies, onboarding, and hybrid work rules that keep the team aligned when everyone's moving at speed.
Investor-Ready HR
Due diligence packs, employment contracts, and remuneration models built to stand up in a funding round.
From 8 to 80
Tech Scaleup Stories
FinTech M
Built a complete people ops function in six months, then walked into Series A diligence with confidence.
HealthTech V
Cut developer churn from 35% to 8% by tightening career paths and expectations. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not without the right system.
AgriTech W
Introduced remote-first policy design that expanded the hiring pool across four states. The result was better talent, faster.
The Startup HR Engine
A process that won't slow product velocity
You don't need a sprawling HR department. You need a repeatable engine that keeps contracts clean, hiring crisp, and managers confident as headcount climbs.
Foundation Sprint
A two-week burst to set up contracts, compliance, and the non-negotiables. Why wait until things get messy?
Hiring System
Role scorecards, interview structure, and recruitment funnels that actually repeat across teams.
Performance System
OKR-linked feedback loops, growth conversations, and manager habits that hold up under pressure.
Retention & Scale
Leadership coaching and management development so the company grows without culture collapse.
Why founders call us early
Because bad hiring is expensive, and unclear expectations cost even more. We keep the people-function sharp before it starts dragging on delivery.
- Clear contracts and IP protection from day one.
- Hiring rhythms that support sprint planning.
- Policies that fit hybrid work, not the other way around.
Trusted by Melbourne Startup Founders
“They practically built our HR function from zero. It was the best pre-funding investment we made.”
Maya Tran, CEO, Vouchr
Why did we choose Stratton & Summers Consulting? Because the advice was practical, the pace matched ours, and the team understood what investors actually look for.
Startup HR FAQ
Questions founders ask before they scale
A few straight answers, because startup HR should be clear. Isn't that the whole point?
Can you work with pre-revenue startups?
Yes. Our fractional model is built for that exact stage, so you can get the essentials in place without committing to a full-time hire too early.
Do you help with ESOP and equity plans?
We advise on structures and documentation, then work alongside your legal and finance partners so the model fits your stage and cap table.
How do you keep costs low for early-stage companies?
Packages scale with headcount and urgency. You pay for the capability you need now, then expand only when growth demands it.
What about hybrid work policies?
We design them from day one, with clarity on attendance, expectations, communication, and performance so teams don't drift.
Get the Startup HR Survival Guide
Free PDF for founders who want cleaner people systems
Covers contracts, IP, equity, and performance for early-stage companies. Handy before your next hire, useful before your next investor update.
A practical PDF, not fluff
Built for founders, CTOs, and ops leads who need the basics sorted before the next sprint review. Why guess when you can systemise?
Build Your Team, Not Your Admin
Ready for scale-up HR that investors can trust?
Let's sort the people-function before it becomes a drag on delivery. One conversation now can save a lot of painful rework later.