Roles Needed & Example People
Roles
1. Founder / CEO (Project Lead)
Contract Type: full_time_employee
Contract Type Justification: The Founder/CEO is the central decision-maker, responsible for overall strategic direction, budget management, and stakeholder negotiations. This role requires full-time dedication and deep integration into the project's daily operations, making a full-time employee the most appropriate contract type.
Explanation:
Provides overall strategic direction, manages the budget, negotiates with the funder, and makes final decisions on all critical levers (manufacturing, pricing, sales channels). This role is the central decision-maker and the primary point of contact for all stakeholders.
Consequences:
Without a dedicated project lead, there would be no single person accountable for the project's success. Strategic decisions would be delayed or inconsistent, and the project would lack the necessary authority to negotiate the funding trigger, secure manufacturing partners, and drive the team forward.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Sets overall strategic direction, manages the €750k budget, negotiates the funding trigger with the investor, makes final decisions on manufacturing scale, pricing, and sales channels, and serves as the primary point of contact for all stakeholders.
Background Story:
Marta Kask, based in Tallinn, Estonia, holds an MBA from the Estonian Business School and has 12 years of experience launching hardware startups, including a successful consumer electronics brand that scaled to €2M revenue. She is intimately familiar with the Faraday enclosure market, having previously advised a Baltic defense contractor on shielding solutions. Her deep network in Tallinn's manufacturing ecosystem and her track record of negotiating complex funding agreements make her the ideal leader to navigate the project's two-stage funding and pivot strategy.
Equipment Needs:
High-performance laptop (e.g., Dell XPS or MacBook Pro), smartphone, secure cloud storage (e.g., Google Workspace or Microsoft 365), video conferencing setup (webcam, headset), project management software (e.g., Asana or Jira), financial planning tools (e.g., Excel or QuickBooks), and a secure VPN for remote work.
Facility Needs:
Private office or co-working space in Tallinn, Estonia, with reliable high-speed internet, meeting room access for stakeholder negotiations, and a secure filing cabinet for confidential documents.
2. Operations Manager (Part-Time)
Contract Type: part_time_employee
Contract Type Justification: The Operations Manager handles day-to-day production scheduling, inventory, and logistics. While crucial, the workload is expected to be manageable on a part-time basis, especially in the early stages. A part-time employee provides the necessary operational control and integration without the full cost of a full-time hire.
Explanation:
Manages the day-to-day operational aspects of the project, including production scheduling, inventory management, quality control, and logistics. This role is crucial for executing the split production strategy (Latvian run, then Tallinn ISO run) and ensuring the supply chain for gaskets and other materials is resilient.
Consequences:
Without an operations manager, the founder would be overwhelmed with tactical details, leading to production delays, inventory mismanagement, and potential quality issues. The risk of a single-point-of-failure in the supply chain would be much higher, and the project would lack the capacity to manage the transition from the Latvian to the Tallinn facility.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Manages production scheduling for the 500-unit Latvian run and the subsequent Tallinn ISO run, oversees inventory of conductive gaskets and finger stock, coordinates quality control audits, and handles logistics for centralized fulfillment via DHL Express.
Background Story:
Andres Mägi, from Tartu, Estonia, has a degree in Industrial Engineering from TalTech and spent 8 years as a production manager at a precision metal fabrication plant in Tallinn. He has hands-on experience with ISO-certified welding and supply chain coordination across the Baltics. His familiarity with the project's split production strategy comes from a previous role where he managed a similar phased ramp-up for a medical device enclosure. He is the right person to execute the Latvian-to-Tallinn transition and ensure gasket supply resilience.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad), smartphone, inventory management software (e.g., Odoo or Zoho Inventory), barcode scanner, access to cloud-based ERP system, and a basic set of hand tools for quality inspections.
Facility Needs:
Shared office space in Tallinn or Riga with desk and internet access, access to the Tallinn warehouse for inventory audits, and ability to travel to the Latvian workshop for quality control visits.
3. B2B Sales Consultant (Part-Time)
Contract Type: independent_contractor
Contract Type Justification: The B2B Sales Consultant is hired to open critical-infrastructure conversations and secure Letters of Intent. This is a specialized, project-based role with a clear, measurable objective. An independent contractor arrangement is ideal for this focused, time-limited engagement, avoiding the overhead of a permanent employee.
Explanation:
Opens and nurtures conversations with critical-infrastructure buyers, securing Letters of Intent and early contracts. This role is essential for the long-term pivot to server-grade cages, as it builds the B2B pipeline and validates demand from high-value customers.
Consequences:
Without a B2B sales consultant, the project would be entirely dependent on consumer prepper sales, which are small-volume and may not generate enough cash flow to fund the MIL-STD certification. The pivot to server-grade cages would be delayed or impossible, as there would be no established relationships with infrastructure buyers.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Identifies and contacts critical-infrastructure buyers (e.g., power grid operators, data centers), prepares technical proposals and compliance documentation, negotiates early contracts or Letters of Intent, and provides market feedback to guide the server-grade cage design.
Background Story:
Lena Weber, based in Munich, Germany, holds a degree in Business Administration and has 10 years of B2B sales experience in the European critical infrastructure sector, specializing in electromagnetic shielding products. She previously secured a €500k contract for a Faraday cage manufacturer with a German utility company. Her familiarity with the project's target buyers and the 12-18 month sales cycle makes her essential for opening conversations with infrastructure clients and securing Letters of Intent before the pivot.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., Dell Latitude), smartphone, CRM software (e.g., Salesforce or HubSpot), video conferencing tools, and a professional email signature and document templates.
Facility Needs:
Home office or co-working space in Munich, Germany, with reliable internet, and occasional access to a meeting room for client presentations.
4. Industrial Designer (Freelance)
Contract Type: independent_contractor
Contract Type Justification: The Industrial Designer is a freelance professional engaged for a specific design project. The work is project-based with a defined deliverable (the enclosure design). An independent contractor is the standard and most cost-effective way to engage such specialized, short-term expertise.
Explanation:
Designs the single-SKU Faraday enclosure, ensuring it meets both phone and laptop form factors while being manufacturable and certifiable. This role is critical for creating a product that satisfies the prepper market and passes EU EMC certification.
Consequences:
Without an industrial designer, the product would lack a professional design, potentially failing to meet shielding requirements or being too costly to manufacture. The risk of a design that satisfies neither phone nor laptop users would be high, leading to poor market reception and low pre-sales.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Designs the single-SKU Faraday enclosure for phones and laptops, creates 3D models and prototypes, collaborates with the certification consultant on pre-compliance testing, and refines the design for manufacturability in both Latvian and Tallinn facilities.
Background Story:
Erik Johansson, a freelance designer based in Stockholm, Sweden, has a Master's in Industrial Design from Konstfack and 15 years of experience designing consumer electronics enclosures, including a Faraday bag for a Swedish security company. He is skilled in CAD, DFM, and pre-compliance testing. His familiarity with the challenge of balancing phone pocketability with laptop durability comes from a previous project where he designed a modular case for a tech accessories brand. He is the right designer to create a single SKU that satisfies both prepper segments.
Equipment Needs:
High-performance workstation with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks or Fusion 360), 3D printer for prototyping, measuring tools (calipers, micrometers), and a smartphone for photo/video documentation.
Facility Needs:
Home studio or small workshop in Stockholm, Sweden, with space for prototyping and material storage. Access to a local makerspace or 3D printing service for larger prototypes.
5. Certification Consultant
Contract Type: independent_contractor
Contract Type Justification: The Certification Consultant provides specialized expertise to guide the product through the EU EMC certification process. This is a time-limited, advisory role with a specific goal. Engaging them as an independent contractor is appropriate for this specialized, project-based service.
Explanation:
Guides the product through the EU EMC certification process, reviewing the design for compliance, preparing the technical file, and liaising with notified bodies. This role is essential for achieving the CE mark and avoiding costly re-testing cycles.
Consequences:
Without a certification consultant, the project would risk failing certification tests, leading to delays and cost overruns. A 3-month delay in certification could push first sales to Month 9, reducing Year-1 revenue by €150k and jeopardizing the follow-on funding trigger.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Reviews the enclosure design for EU EMC Directive compliance, prepares the technical file and declaration of conformity, liaises with notified bodies (e.g., TÜV SÜD), manages the test schedule and re-testing cycles, and provides cost and timeline contingency advice.
Background Story:
Dr. Klaus Richter, based in Munich, Germany, holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU Munich and has 20 years of experience in electromagnetic compatibility testing and certification. He has guided over 50 products through EU EMC Directive compliance, including several Faraday enclosures for automotive and defense clients. His familiarity with the project's certification timeline and cost risks comes from a recent engagement where he helped a startup avoid a 6-month delay by identifying a design flaw early. He is the ideal consultant to ensure a smooth CE marking process.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad), access to EMC simulation software (e.g., CST Studio Suite or Ansys HFSS), spectrum analyzer for pre-compliance testing, and a smartphone for communication.
Facility Needs:
Home office in Munich, Germany, with reliable internet, and access to a certified EMC test lab (e.g., TÜV SÜD or Eurofins) for formal testing.
6. Marketing & Community Manager
Contract Type: independent_contractor
Contract Type Justification: The Marketing & Community Manager role is focused on executing the pre-sale campaign, A/B testing, and community engagement. This is a project-based role with clear, time-bound deliverables. An independent contractor (or a small agency) is well-suited for this, providing flexibility and specialized skills without a long-term commitment.
Explanation:
Manages the pre-sale campaign, including the A/B test of deposit tiers, engagement with prepper forums and YouTube influencers, and the launch of the two-tier pricing strategy. This role is crucial for validating demand and generating early cash flow.
Consequences:
Without a marketing and community manager, the pre-sale campaign would lack focus and execution. The A/B test would not be properly set up, conversion rates would be unknown, and the two-tier pricing strategy would not be effectively communicated. This would likely result in low pre-sales, insufficient cash flow, and a failure to validate demand before committing to the 2,000-unit ISO run.
People Count:
min 1, max 2, depending on the scale of the marketing campaign and the need for community management across multiple forums and social media channels.
Typical Activities:
Sets up and manages the pre-order landing page with A/B testing of deposit tiers, runs targeted Facebook Ads and influencer outreach to prepper communities, executes the two-tier pricing launch and early adopter offer, and monitors conversion rates to inform production decisions.
Background Story:
Sofia Lindgren, a marketing consultant based in Helsinki, Finland, has a degree in Digital Marketing from Aalto University and 8 years of experience running pre-sale campaigns for hardware startups, including a successful Kickstarter for a survival gear brand. She is deeply embedded in European prepper forums and has a network of YouTube influencers in the survivalism niche. Her familiarity with A/B testing deposit structures comes from a previous campaign where she optimized conversion rates for a high-ticket outdoor product. She is the right person to validate demand and generate early cash flow.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., MacBook Pro), smartphone, access to social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite or Buffer), ad management platforms (Facebook Ads Manager, Google Ads), landing page builder (e.g., Carrd or Shopify), and a basic camera for content creation.
Facility Needs:
Home office or co-working space in Helsinki, Finland, with reliable internet, and occasional access to a quiet space for video recording.
7. Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinator
Contract Type: part_time_employee
Contract Type Justification: The Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinator manages ongoing sourcing, supplier relationships, and fulfillment. This role requires continuous oversight and integration with the operations team. A part-time employee provides the necessary consistency and control over critical supply chain functions.
Explanation:
Manages the sourcing of conductive gaskets and finger stock from multiple suppliers, negotiates contracts, and maintains safety stock. This role also coordinates the fulfillment process, from centralized Tallinn warehouse to DHL Express, and manages the transition to a 3PL network if needed.
Consequences:
Without a supply chain and logistics coordinator, the project would face a high risk of supply chain disruptions. A 4-week delay in gasket delivery could push production start by 1 month, delaying first sales and reducing Year-1 revenue by €50k. Fulfillment would be chaotic, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential chargebacks.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Sources and qualifies multiple suppliers for copper-beryllium finger stock and conductive gaskets, negotiates contracts with penalty clauses, maintains 8 weeks of safety stock at the Tallinn warehouse, coordinates DHL Express fulfillment, and manages the potential transition to a 3PL network.
Background Story:
Toms Bērziņš, based in Riga, Latvia, holds a degree in Supply Chain Management from Riga Technical University and has 10 years of experience sourcing specialized materials for Baltic manufacturers, including conductive gaskets for a defense contractor. He has strong relationships with German, Czech, and Polish suppliers. His familiarity with the project's supply chain risks comes from a previous role where he mitigated a 6-week delay by qualifying a backup supplier for a critical component. He is the right person to ensure gasket availability and manage fulfillment logistics.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., Dell Latitude), smartphone, supply chain management software (e.g., Odoo or SAP), barcode scanner, and access to a cloud-based ERP system for inventory tracking.
Facility Needs:
Shared office space in Riga, Latvia, with desk and internet access, and regular access to the Tallinn warehouse for inventory management and logistics coordination.
8. Legal & IP Advisor (Part-Time)
Contract Type: independent_contractor
Contract Type Justification: The Legal & IP Advisor provides specialized legal services for filing patents, drafting NDAs, and reviewing contracts. This is a project-based, advisory role that does not require daily involvement. An independent contractor (or a law firm) is the standard and most appropriate way to access this expertise.
Explanation:
Handles the filing of the European utility model and design patent, drafts NDAs for subcontractors, and reviews the white-label agreement with the retailer. This role protects the project's intellectual property and ensures legal compliance.
Consequences:
Without a legal and IP advisor, the project's unique manufacturing process could be reverse-engineered within 6 months, destroying the premium pricing power needed to fund the server-grade pivot. The white-label agreement could contain unfavorable terms, limiting brand equity and future direct-to-consumer sales.
People Count:
1
Typical Activities:
Drafts and files the European utility model for the laser-welded seam with conductive gasket channel, files a design patent for the enclosure's external appearance, drafts NDAs for all subcontractors, and reviews the white-label agreement with SurvivalAid.de to ensure favorable terms.
Background Story:
Kadri Lepp, a partner at a Tallinn-based law firm, holds a law degree from the University of Tartu and has 15 years of experience in intellectual property law, specializing in utility models and design patents for manufacturing processes. She has filed over 30 utility models for Estonian hardware startups and has extensive experience drafting NDAs for subcontractors. Her familiarity with the project's IP protection needs comes from a recent case where she helped a metal fabrication client secure a utility model against a Chinese copycat. She is the ideal advisor to protect the gasket-channel process.
Equipment Needs:
Laptop (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad), smartphone, access to legal research databases (e.g., Westlaw or LexisNexis), document management software (e.g., iManage or NetDocuments), and a secure email system.
Facility Needs:
Private office in Tallinn, Estonia, with reliable internet, a meeting room for client consultations, and a secure filing cabinet for confidential legal documents.
Omissions
1. Missing Quality Assurance / Testing Role
The plan relies on a single-SKU design that must satisfy both phone and laptop users, and certification testing is a critical path. Without a dedicated QA/testing function, the risk of design flaws, certification failures, and poor user experience is high, potentially delaying market entry and reducing pre-sales.
Recommendation:
Assign the Operations Manager (Andres Mägi) to also oversee quality assurance, including pre-certification testing and user acceptance testing. Budget €5,000 for a part-time testing assistant or lab access to conduct shielding effectiveness tests on prototypes before committing to full production.
2. No Customer Support / After-Sales Role
The project involves pre-sales, warranty claims, and returns. Without a customer support function, the founder and operations manager will be overwhelmed by inquiries, leading to poor customer experience, negative reviews, and potential chargebacks that could jeopardize cash flow.
Recommendation:
Outsource customer support to a virtual assistant service (e.g., Upwork or a Baltic-based VA) for €500/month during the pre-sale and launch phase. Create a FAQ page and automated email responses to handle common questions. The Marketing & Community Manager can also triage community inquiries.
3. Lack of a Financial Controller or Bookkeeper
The project has a complex two-stage funding structure, conditional triggers, and tight cash flow management. Without a dedicated financial role, the founder risks misreporting, missed triggers, or poor budget tracking, which could lead to the funder withholding the €350k follow-on.
Recommendation:
Hire a part-time bookkeeper (€500/month) to manage invoices, track expenses, and prepare monthly financial reports. Use cloud accounting software (e.g., Xero or QuickBooks) integrated with the ERP. The founder should review financials weekly to ensure the '€50k net cash by Month 12' trigger is on track.
4. No Formal Project Manager or Coordinator
The project has multiple parallel workstreams (design, certification, manufacturing, sales, legal) with tight deadlines. Without a coordinator, tasks may slip, dependencies may be missed, and the founder will be stretched thin, increasing the risk of delays.
Recommendation:
The Operations Manager (Andres Mägi) should also serve as a part-time project coordinator, using a simple Gantt chart or project management tool (e.g., Asana) to track milestones, dependencies, and deadlines. Hold a weekly 30-minute stand-up meeting with all team members to review progress.
Potential Improvements
1. Clarify Role Overlap Between Operations Manager and Supply Chain Coordinator
Both roles involve inventory management, supplier coordination, and logistics. This overlap could lead to confusion, duplicated effort, or gaps in responsibility, especially during the critical transition from Latvian to Tallinn production.
Recommendation:
Clearly define boundaries: the Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinator (Toms Bērziņš) owns supplier relationships, safety stock, and fulfillment logistics. The Operations Manager (Andres Mägi) owns production scheduling, quality control, and facility coordination. Document these responsibilities in a RACI matrix and review monthly.
2. Integrate Marketing and Community Manager with Pre-Sale A/B Testing
The pre-sale A/B test is a critical de-risking action, but the Marketing & Community Manager's role description does not explicitly include designing and analyzing the test. This could lead to a poorly executed test that fails to validate conversion rates.
Recommendation:
Update the Marketing & Community Manager's scope to include: (1) designing the A/B test with two deposit tiers (10% vs 50%), (2) driving 500 targeted visitors via Facebook Ads, (3) analyzing conversion data by 2026-05-17, and (4) recommending the final deposit structure. Provide a €2,000 budget for the test.
3. Strengthen the B2B Sales Consultant's Role with Concrete Milestones
The B2B Sales Consultant's role is vaguely defined as 'opening conversations.' Without specific milestones, the project may not have a clear B2B pipeline by Month 12, jeopardizing the server-grade pivot.
Recommendation:
Set three concrete milestones for the B2B Sales Consultant by Month 6: (1) identify 20 target critical-infrastructure buyers, (2) secure 5 initial meetings, and (3) obtain at least 1 Letter of Intent. Tie 20% of the consultant's compensation to achieving these milestones.
4. Reduce Dependency on Single Founder for Key Decisions
The founder is the sole decision-maker for strategic levers, funding negotiations, and stakeholder management. If the founder is unavailable, the project could stall, especially during critical periods like the funding trigger negotiation.
Recommendation:
Document all key decisions, supplier contacts, and negotiation strategies in a shared project handbook (e.g., Google Docs). Train the Operations Manager to handle routine decisions (e.g., inventory reorder points) and authorize them to sign contracts up to €10,000. Consider key-person insurance for the founder.
5. Improve Communication Between Certification Consultant and Industrial Designer
The certification consultant reviews the design for compliance, but the industrial designer creates the design. Without close collaboration, the design may fail certification tests, causing costly rework and delays.
Recommendation:
Schedule bi-weekly 30-minute check-ins between the Industrial Designer (Erik Johansson) and the Certification Consultant (Dr. Klaus Richter) starting from Month 1. Share CAD files and simulation results early to identify potential compliance issues before prototyping. Budget €5,000 for pre-compliance testing to validate the design.