Hi, I'm mel sezto - currently @ KIUU "Q" | formerly @greylock vc, playground vc, google[x], startups
I architect talent strategies for deep tech VCs and early-stage startups, bridging innovation and exceptional teams. My journey spans Google's growth and building talent functions for major funds. I thrive on empowering founders and their ventures.
At a glance
Curated signals on strengths, focus areas, and how they can help.
Led talent for Google[x] and Android Hardware's early 0-1 build-out.
Architected talent functions for Playground Global's $850M funds, supporting 200+ companies.
Can advise on building high-performing talent acquisition strategies for deep tech startups.
🚀 Career trajectory
Early Tech Innovator
Grew with Google, staffing key product and hardware teams, including the 0-1 build for Google[x] and Android Hardware.
✦ Android Hardware
✦ Google[x]
Startup People Operations
Led recruiting and people operations for early-stage startups, honing expertise in rapid growth environments.
✦ Startup
✦ HR
✦ Recruiting
Venture Capital Talent Builder
Architected and led talent functions for Playground Global ($850M AUM) and partnered with Greylock's portfolio.
✦ Playground Global
✦ Greylock Partners
✦ Talent Partner
Independent Talent Advisor
Currently advising startups and ventures through Kiuu, focusing on unique talent strategies and founder support.
✦ Kiuu
✦ Talent Advisor
✦ Founder Support
💪🏻 Superpowers
Deep Tech Talent Architect
Building world-class teams for frontier technologies.
✦ Expert in recruiting for AI, ML, robotics, and next-gen compute.
✦ Proven ability to scale talent functions from inception.
✦ Experience across 200+ portfolio companies.
Founder-First Operator
Empowering entrepreneurs with strategic people operations.
✦ Led talent for Google[x] and Android Hardware's early days.
✦ Provided early-stage startup recruiting and HR leadership.
✦ Advised startups on co-founder dynamics and team building.
VC Talent Strategy Leader
Driving value through people within venture capital.
✦ Established talent function for Playground Global's $850M funds.
✦ Partnered with Greylock on talent for 200+ enterprise and consumer software companies.
✦ Specialized in early-stage investment talent needs.
I'm excited about
✦ Discovering and connecting with innovative founders in AI and deep tech.
✦ Exploring opportunities to advise cutting-edge startups on team scaling.
✦ Engaging with a community focused on groundbreaking technological advancements.
I can help with
✦ Advise on building high-performing talent acquisition strategies for deep tech startups.
✦ Provide insights into scaling people operations for early-stage companies.
✦ Share best practices for identifying and recruiting specialized technical talent.
I would love your help on
✦ Introduction to founders working on novel AI or robotics applications.
✦ Insights into emerging trends in next-generation compute hardware.
✦ Connections with investors focused on pre-seed and seed-stage deep tech.
