You want to know a secret for finding engineers as a startup? Be open to hiring any fifty and over engineer that you verify can do the work. Word will get out and you will be flooded with qualified applicants.
I can imagine telling your VC's, oh no we don't use agencies and spend at most 5% of the CEO's time on hiring. When they express puzzlement just tell them a wise mentor gave you his secret.
Yeah, I don't get this age-ism thing at all. I'm approaching my 50's, and I'm still climbing in my effectiveness and productivity. I haven't even yet reached the top of my game yet. I am getting better every year.
Proportionally, I bring to the table 5-10x (at least) greater value than those just-out-of-school with no experience. But I'm only paid 1.5x of their salary.
Granted, there are some folks out there that have been slacking off their whole careers, and after 20+ years, they're very good at it. But in terms of dollar spent to unit of value, I believe mid-career folks like me are way more economically valuable overall.
I can imagine telling your VC's, oh no we don't use agencies and spend at most 5% of the CEO's time on hiring. When they express puzzlement just tell them a wise mentor gave you his secret.