For builders
You're not looking
for a job. You're open
to the right mission.
But you can't be visible without employer risk. And you're not reading recruiter spam. Paddleout gives you a safe, high-signal way to be discovered — on your terms. Free forever.
Claim your handle
Reserve your spot. First come, first served. Your identity stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Connect GitHub — read-only
We analyze patterns, never your IP. Your Stack Radar, Signal Score, and velocity graph generate automatically.
Add peer vouches
Request structured endorsements from teammates who verify real-world impact — not just "great to work with."
Toggle open. Get found.
Only recently funded founders can reach out. No recruiters, no spam. Lock in 15 minutes — double opt-in before any details are shared.
The deal
Free forever for builders. No fees, no markups. Your Pass updates automatically as you ship.
Claim your Builder Pass
Free forever. Connect GitHub once, stay private until you're ready. Let the right founders find you through your actual work.
Get started — freeYour privacy
You're Builder #XXX until you decide otherwise.
The Blinded Identity Model lets us host elite, currently-employed builders who would never post on LinkedIn. You get the upside of visibility without the risk of your employer finding out.
Read-only GitHub sync
We analyze commit patterns and language distribution. We never access your code, private repos, or IP. You can revoke access anytime.
Blinded by default
Founders see your handle, your signal data, and your vouches — never your name or employer until you accept their request.
You choose what's visible
Select which repos appear. Turn off specific projects. Show only public activity if you prefer. Full control, always.
No recruiter access. Ever.
Recruiters are explicitly blocked from The Lineup. Only verified, recently funded founders can see your Pass or send a request.
Your Builder Pass
Six signals. One honest picture.
Your Pass isn't a profile — it's a live read of your output. Generated from GitHub, verified by peers, updated automatically.
Velocity
Commit frequency over the last 30 days. Shows you're actively building — not coasting on past work.
Frontend
Depth and recency of your frontend output. React, TypeScript, UI systems — what you've actually shipped.
Backend
Server-side intensity. APIs, databases, architecture decisions backed by real commit history.
Infrastructure
DevOps, cloud, deployment work. Founders hiring their first engineer need someone who can own the full stack.
AI / LLM
Activity in AI tooling, model integration, LangChain, LangGraph, RAG — the most in-demand signal right now.
Product
Evidence you think beyond the code — shipping features with user impact, not just technical elegance.
Who reaches you
Only recently funded founders. No exceptions.
We verify every founder before they can access The Lineup. No recruiters. No staffing agencies. No generic "Hi [Name]" emails. Every request comes from a real founder with real funding who's read your data before reaching out.
Founders who've raised or are closing their seed round — no recruiters
Founders see your data before they message you
You approve every intro before your identity is revealed
Double opt-in — both sides confirm before details are shared
What a recruiter sends
“Hi [Name], I came across your profile and thought you might be a great fit for an exciting opportunity...”
They haven't looked at your code. They never will.
What a Paddleout founder sends
“Your AI/LLM axis and 30-day velocity put you in the top 3% of what we've seen. We're building X and need someone who can own the backend from day one.”
They've already seen your Stack Radar. This is a warm intro.
Why not just use LinkedIn
The platforms that exist weren't built for you.
— Floods you with recruiter spam
— “Open to Work” signals desperation
— No proof you actually ship
— Your employer can see everything
Job Boards
— You apply. You wait. You get ghosted.
— Resume-first, signal-last
— Competing with hundreds of applicants
— No control over who sees you
Paddleout
— Founders come to you
— GitHub is your resume
— Identity hidden until you're ready
— Only funded founders, no recruiters
FAQ
The questions you actually have.
What exactly do you see from my GitHub?
Read-only access to your public activity only — commit frequency, language distribution, and general velocity patterns. We never see your source code, private repos, commit messages, or anything proprietary. We analyze how you work, not what you're building.
Can my employer find me on Paddleout?
No. You're listed as Builder #XXX — your name, GitHub username, and employer are never visible until you explicitly accept a founder's intro request. Recruiters are blocked entirely. Your current employer has no way to find you here.
Do I have to connect GitHub right away?
No. Claiming your handle reserves your spot and locks in your place in the queue. You can connect GitHub and complete your pass whenever you're ready before launch.
Who can actually reach out to me?
Only founders who've raised or are closing their seed round — verified before they get access. No recruiters, no staffing agencies, no spray-and-pray outreach. Every message comes from someone who has already seen your data and has a real reason to reach out.
What are peer vouches and do I need them?
Vouches are structured endorsements from teammates who verify real-world impact — not LinkedIn-style "great to work with" blurbs. They're optional but they strengthen your pass. You request them from former colleagues, who answer specific questions about how you work under pressure, what you shipped, and how you handled hard situations.
Is it actually free?
Yes. Free for builders, forever. No placement fees, no subscription, no credits. We don't make money from the builder side of the market — that's the whole point.
What happens after I claim my handle?
You'll get a confirmation with next steps. Before launch, you can connect GitHub and set up your pass. Early builders get priority placement in search results when The Lineup goes live.
Can I delete my data?
Anytime. Email info@paddleout.io and we'll remove everything within 14 days. You can also revoke GitHub access independently via GitHub Settings → Applications → Authorized OAuth Apps.
Your next role shouldn't start with a cover letter.
Claim your handle before launch. Early builders get priority placement and first access to founder requests.
Claim Your Handle — FreeFree forever.