Why Founders Need to Hire Developers Who Move Fast (and Smart)

Over the years, I’ve seen that “speed” in development is often misunderstood. It’s not just about pushing code fast or hitting deadlines; it’s about how effectively a developer can learn, adapt, and execute.

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For me, speed is a mix of learning quickly, adapting fast, communicating clearly, and building things the right, scalable way from the start. It’s also about ownership, being willing to refactor when needed instead of letting tech debt pile up. Real speed comes from combining momentum and discipline, not taking shortcuts.

What “Fast” Really Means in Development

When most people think of “speed,” they imagine someone coding quickly or working late nights. But in startups, that’s not what real speed looks like.

Real speed means a developer can:

• Understand what matters most and start building fast
• Make smart choices that don’t cause problems later
• Adapt when things change (and they always do in startups)
• Use tools like AI to move faster, without losing quality
• Ask the right questions early, not wait for things to break

It’s not about doing more work. It’s about doing the right work, faster.

The Cost of “Slow” Developers

A slow developer doesn’t just cost you money, they cost you momentum.

When progress stalls, startups lose their biggest weapon: speed to market.
Instead of learning from users and improving fast, you end up fixing old problems.

And by the time you realize it, months are gone, and you’re forced to rebuild.
That’s one of the most common stories I hear from founders: months of wasted time, followed by the hard truth that the project isn’t built well and needs to start over.

The truth?
You can’t build a fast-moving startup with slow-moving people.

How to Spot Developers Who Move Fast (and Smart)

The best developers don’t just work hard, they work smart.
Here’s how to recognize them:

1. They Communicate Early and Clearly

Fast developers ask questions early.
They don’t wait for you to find problems; they talk, clarify, and fix them before they grow.

2. They Break Problems Into Small Steps

They don’t freeze when projects feel big.
They split large tasks into smaller pieces and move fast through each one.

3. They Take Ownership

They don’t need to be micromanaged.
They tell you what’s done, why it’s done that way, and what’s next.

4. They Learn and Adapt Quickly

They’re not afraid of new tools or change.
They know technology moves fast, so they stay curious and flexible.

5. They Care About Clean Code and Scalability

Real speed isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about building things that last.

The Role of AI (and Why It’s a Must Now)

AI isn’t optional anymore, it’s how modern developers move fast.

Tools like GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT help them:

• Write boilerplate code faster
• Catch bugs early
• Brainstorm ideas for structure or logic

But AI should support good judgment, not replace it.
Smart developers know when to use it and when to slow down.

Read more in our post How AI Is Changing the Way We Build Software to understand how the best developers use AI responsibly.

Why Speed Matters So Much in Startups

In a startup, speed isn’t a luxury, it’s survival.

Markets shift, users give feedback, investors ask for updates, and you have to keep up.
If your developer can’t pivot or adjust fast, you’ll lose ground.

Fast and smart developers:

• Ship MVPs quickly so you can test and learn
• Build flexible systems that grow with your business
• Keep communication clear between tech and business
• Prevent tech debt that slows everything down later

They don’t just help you move faster, they help you stay fast.

The Balance Between Speed and Quality

Moving fast doesn’t mean rushing.
The best developers know when to slow down, to test, plan, or refactor.

Speed + discipline = long-term success.

They don’t aim for perfect code on day one, but they always improve it.
They take ownership and move with direction, not chaos.

That’s how real progress happens, one smart, fast step at a time.

How to Build a Fast-Moving Dev Team

If you’re a founder building a dev team, here’s how to keep things fast and under control:

1. Set Clear Goals, Not Endless Tasks

Developers move faster when they know why they’re building something.
Focus on outcomes, not checklists.

2. Build a Culture of Communication

Encourage questions early.
The faster problems surface, the faster they get solved.

3. Use the Right Tools

Keep everyone aligned with tools like Slack, Linear, or Notion.
Speed dies when people are waiting for updates.

4. Encourage Learning and Experimentation

Let your developers explore new methods.
Curious teams stay sharp and fast.

5. Reward Momentum, Not Just Output

Celebrate progress and learning, not just finished code.

A Real Story: How Two Developers Saved 8 Months of Lost Time

One of our clients, Ben, had a tough start.
He spent 8 months and over $50,000 on an MVP that went nowhere.

The first developer was “busy” all the time, but nothing real was shipped.
The codebase was messy, the logic unclear, and progress slowed to a crawl.

When we connected him with two of our developers, everything changed.
They rebuilt the entire MVP from scratch in just 6 weeks, with clean code, solid structure, and thoughtful execution.

They didn’t just move fast.
They moved smart.

That’s what speed really is: doing things the right way, the first time.

FAQs About Hiring Developers Who Are Fast

1. How do I know if a developer is “fast” before hiring them?

Ask for examples of projects they’ve shipped quickly and how they handled changes or blockers.
Fast developers can explain how they prioritized, learned, and delivered results, not just what they built.

2. Can fast developers still write good code?

Yes. The best ones write clean, scalable code because they think ahead.
Speed doesn’t mean skipping steps; it means being efficient and intentional.

3. Should developers use AI to move faster?

Yes, but wisely. AI boosts productivity and helps catch mistakes early.
Read How AI Is Changing the Way We Build Software to see how to do it right.

4. What happens if I hire someone who’s too slow?

You’ll lose time, money, and momentum, and often need to rebuild.
Startups can’t afford slow movement.

5. What’s the biggest sign of a fast and smart developer?

They ask smart questions, take ownership, and explain their choices clearly.
You’ll feel like they’re always one step ahead, because they are.

Final Thoughts

Hiring fast developers doesn’t mean hiring reckless ones.
It means finding people who move with purpose, stay curious, and adapt when things change.

As a founder, your job isn’t to micromanage.
It’s to find people who don’t need micromanagement to move fast.

Because when your team has both speed and direction, your startup doesn’t just grow, it wins.