Team Architecture for BaristaCard

Ideal Founding Team

1. CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

• Core Responsibilities:
  • Define the overall vision and strategy for BaristaCard.
  • Oversee the operations, fundraising, and build relationships with key stakeholders and partners.
  • Lead the company’s culture and ensure alignment across all teams.
• Required Skills & Experience:
  • Proven experience in leadership roles, ideally within startups or tech firms.
  • Strong business acumen and strategy formulation skills.
  • Experience in fundraising and investor relations.

2. CTO (Chief Technology Officer)

• Core Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for the development and implementation of the technology stack.
  • Oversee technical team, ensuring that the product is built on time and meets user needs.
  • Ensure that security, scalability, and performance expectations are met.
• Required Skills & Experience:
  • Extensive experience in software development, especially in web technologies.
  • Proficiency in system architecture and managing integrations with third-party APIs.
  • Background in database management and cloud infrastructure.

3. CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)

• Core Responsibilities:
  • Develop and execute marketing strategies for customer acquisition and brand awareness.
  • Coordinate marketing campaigns and evaluate their effectiveness to enhance user engagement.
  • Build relationships with coffee shop owners to promote product adoption.
• Required Skills & Experience:
  • Expertise in digital marketing techniques and data-driven marketing strategy.
  • Experience in brand management and customer engagement tactics.
  • Strong understanding of the coffee shop market and user behavior.

First Hires Roadmap

1. Marketing Manager

   • Timing: Hire after securing MVP launch.
   • Rationale: Needed to design go-to-market strategies, generate buzz, and facilitate customer acquisition soon after MVP.

2. Software Engineer

   • Timing: Post-MVP development but before product launch.
   • Rationale: They will enhance the MVP based on initial user feedback and implement further iterations for a smooth launch.

3. Customer Support Specialist

   • Timing: Hired a month before launch.
   • Rationale: Essential for onboarding coffee shop owners and ensuring that users are supported on the platform post-launch, crucial for retention.

4. Data Analyst

   • Timing: Within 3 months post-launch.
   • Rationale: To track user metrics and provide insights that inform product evolution and marketing strategies based on user engagement and retention data.

5. Sales Representative

   • Timing: Hired shortly after initial marketing efforts begin to convert leads.
   • Rationale: To engage directly with potential customers and close sales deals, necessary for driving early revenue for the business.

Key Advisors

1. Legal Advisor (Tech & Compliance)

   • Value: Essential for navigating the regulatory landscape, particularly on data privacy laws such as GDPR and CCPA.

2. Financial Advisor

   • Value: Can assist in financial modeling, projections, and budget allocation, vital for managing startup finances effectively.

3. Industry Expert (Coffee Sector)

   • Value: Provides insights into market dynamics, trends, and the specific needs of coffee shop owners, helping to tailor the offering accordingly.

Rationale

The suggested team structure is an ideal fit for BaristaCard due to the necessity of a balanced skill set across technology, leadership, and marketing roles. Given the innovative B2B SaaS model focused on coffee shops, a strong CMO is crucial for driving product adoption. The initial hires prioritize marketing and customer engagement to ensure a successful launch and retention of customers, in alignment with proven strategies for SaaS startups in similar arenas. This structure leverages our differentiated value proposition while aiming to navigate the competitive landscape efficiently.

Links and Sources Used

1. 2025 Early-Stage GTM Report - Mercury Fund
2. From Startup Hustle to Startup Muscle: Scaling Your SaaS Team
3. Top Fintech App Development Team Roles You Need in 2025
4. Startup Team Structure: Roles and Responsibilities
5. 7 Startup Org Structure Types to Consider in 2025 - Shiny