EXPERTISE
Culture Creation, Leadership Coaching, Operations, Hiring;People Ops, Sales
BUSINESS MODEL EXPERIENCE
B2B, B2B2C, B2C
EXPERTISE IN THESE COUNTRIES
Australia, New Zealand
Tom Sweeney
Christchurch
Tom Sweeney is a founder, recruiter, and long-time supporter of New Zealand’s startup ecosystem. With over 20 years in tech recruitment, he’s worked closely with founders and high-growth companies to scale teams from early-stage to exit.
As the Director of Crew Technology Recruitment and a Board Member at Potentiate, Tom has built a reputation for connecting ambitious startups with the talent they need to grow — from founding engineers and product leads to commercial heads and board members.
He co-founded Crew with a mission to bring a more human, long-term approach to recruitment, one that understands the unique needs, speed, and pressures of startup life. Now based in Christchurch, Tom is passionate about supporting South Island founders and fostering a strong local tech community.
Why are you passionate about working with startup founders?
I'm passionate about working with founders because I admire the courage it takes to build something from nothing. Founders think differently, they see opportunities where others see risk, and they back themselves when there’s no safety net. That mindset energises me.
I love being part of those early conversations, where vision meets execution and the right hires can be the difference between traction and stagnation. Helping founders find the people who believe in their mission.
What experience do you have working with startup founders?
With over two decades in tech recruitment, I’ve partnered with dozens of founders, from first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned startup leaders, helping them hire their first key team members through to building out leadership and advisory boards.
As the Director of Crew Technology Recruitment, I’ve led searches for CTOs, product leaders, founding engineers, and commercial heads, roles that are critical to early traction and culture. I’ve also advised founders on hiring strategy, equity vs. salary trade-offs, and how to attract talent when you’re not yet “known.”
Having co-founded Crew myself, I also understand the pressures of building from scratch — the blurred lines, late nights, and the weight of every decision. That experience makes me both empathetic and effective when working alongside other founders.