Ignite Startups: How Startups Can Leverage Global Talent to Scale Faster with Ilya Brotzky | #139

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Ilya Brotzky, CEO and co-founder of VanHack, a global tech talent recruitment platform. Ilya shares the origins of VanHack, which began as an English school and career coaching service before evolving into a full-fledged recruitment company helping software engineers secure international jobs. He recounts how his experience working in Brazil exposed a massive demand for tech talent mobility, particularly in Canada, and how VanHack has placed over 2,000 developers in companies like Brex and Deloitte. The conversation also touches on the cyclical nature of recruiting, the impact of COVID-19 on remote hiring, and the post-2022 downturn that is now showing signs of recovery.

Brian and Ilya explore the advantages of hiring global talent, including cost savings for startups and the ability to relocate employees to Canada through VanHack’s immigration-as-a-service offering. They discuss the key differences between Canada’s streamlined immigration process and the U.S.'s restrictive H-1B system, touching on the recent debates over immigration reform within the tech community. Ilya shares insights into VanHack’s AI-driven vetting process, the company's partnerships with payroll solutions like Deel, and how they ensure top-tier talent for hiring companies. He also reflects on the challenges of convincing employers to consider international hires and how shifting attitudes toward remote work have accelerated acceptance.

The conversation expands to the broader economic and social impact of global hiring, particularly how it benefits both startups and highly skilled workers in emerging markets. Ilya shares inspiring success stories, including an engineer who fled Ukraine with a job offer in hand, securing a new life for his family in Canada. They also discuss the evolving landscape of tech hiring in an AI-driven world, debating whether AI will reduce or increase the demand for engineers. Ilya predicts that global competition for talent will intensify, with countries offering more incentives to attract top developers.

The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round, where Ilya shares insights on remote work, the biggest challenges VanHack has faced, and advice for companies making their first international hire. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and expectation setting to ensure successful remote hires. With over a decade of experience in global tech recruiting, Ilya remains bullish on the future of borderless hiring and the role VanHack plays in shaping it.

Chapters:

Welcome & Guest Introduction (00:00 – 00:32)

The Origin of VanHack & Early Beginnings (00:33 – 02:58)

The Cyclical Nature of Tech Hiring (02:59 – 04:29)

Solving Hiring Challenges for Startups (04:30 – 05:33)

Relocating Engineers to Canada (05:34 – 06:25)

Canada vs. U.S. Immigration for Tech Talent (06:26 – 10:08)

Cost Savings & Efficiency in Global Hiring (10:09 – 12:27)

AI-Powered Vetting & Screening Process (12:28 – 14:27)

Why Choose VanHack Over Upwork? (14:28 – 16:46)

The Global Impact of Hiring Internationally (16:47 – 18:55)

Tech Hiring Trends Over the Last Decade (18:56 – 21:04)

The Rise of AI in Engineering & Hiring (21:05 – 23:18)

The Future of Global Tech Recruitment (23:19 – 24:44)

Inspiring Success Stories from VanHack (24:45 – 25:57)

Rapid Fire Round (25:58 – 32:04)

Closing Thoughts & How to Connect (32:05 – 34:02)