How I Landed a Remote Job at a Silicon Valley Fintech Startup by Cold DMing the CEO

I didn’t wait for an opportunity, I created one.

Hi, I’m Temidayo Akinbi, a Product Designer at Hurupay, a fast-growing fintech startup revolutionizing cross-border payments.

This is the story of how I landed my dream job not by applying to a job posting but by cold messaging the CEO and proving my value before they even hired.

From Design Agency Work to Fintech: My Career Shift

For four years, I worked as a product designer at agencies, gaining broad experience across different industries. But I wanted to specialize, to take my generalist skills and apply them to an industry I was passionate about.

That’s when I became fascinated with fintech. The sector was breaking barriers, especially in cross-border payments, and I wanted to be part of that innovation.

How I Discovered Hurupay (And Why I Was Hooked)

While searching for fintech startups on LinkedIn, I stumbled upon Hurupay’s CEO, Philip Mburu. He shared a video explaining Hurupay’s mission, and I was immediately intrigued.

At the time, Hurupay wasn’t hiring, but I decided to shoot my shot anyway.

First Attempt: A Cold Pitch (That Didn’t Work Out)

I sent Philip a cold DM introducing myself, my skills, and why I wanted to join Hurupay. Unfortunately, the response was:

“We’re not hiring right now, but thanks for reaching out!”

Most people would’ve given up here, but I didn’t.

Second Attempt: Proving My Value Before They Needed Me

Instead of waiting for a job opening, I took initiative:

1. Downloaded the Hurupay app and analyzed its UX.

2. Identified key pain points and areas for improvement.

3. Redesigned the app’s UI/UX to enhance the experience.

4. Sent my redesign to Philip—not as a job request, but as proof of what I could bring to the team.

This time, he responded within 2-3 days, and wanted to jump on a call.

The Game-Changing Call

On the call, I emphasized:

1. My intentionality in choosing Hurupay.

2. My willingness to contribute (even for free) to prove my skills.

3. How my redesign could improve user retention & engagement.

Philip was impressed—and the rest, as they say, is history.

Key Lessons From My Journey

1. Don’t wait for job openings—create opportunities.

2. Show, don’t just tell. Instead of saying, “I’m a great designer,” I proved it with a redesign.

3. Persistence pays off. If at first you don’t succeed, try a different approach.

Want to Land a Job Like I Did? Use This Cold DM Template

If you’re looking to break into a startup (especially in fintech), here’s a simple but effective cold DM template you can customize:

Subject: Quick Idea to Improve [Company’s Product]

Hi [CEO/Founder’s Name],

I’ve been following [Company Name] and love what you’re doing with [specific feature/mission].

While I know you may not be hiring right now, I noticed [specific pain point in product/UX] and had an idea to improve it.

As a [your role] with experience in [relevant skills], I took the liberty of [creating a mockup/analysis/suggestion]—here’s a quick preview: [Link to portfolio/Loom video/Google Doc].

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Even if there’s no immediate role, I’d be happy to contribute ideas!

Best,
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn/Portfolio Link]

Final Thoughts

Landing a job at a startup isn’t just about applying—it’s about standing out. By proactively demonstrating value, I turned a cold DM into a career-changing opportunity.

If you’re looking for a remote role in fintech, start engaging with companies you admire. You never know where it might lead!