Small and medium businesses (SMBs) and startups often struggle to afford top talent for short-term projects. CEOs and executives want to innovate but can’t access elite skills typically reserved for large corporations. These businesses face recruitment challenges and budget constraints while seeking high-level expertise.
But what if there was a way to connect these ambitious companies with seasoned professionals instantly? Tilvo emerges as the bridge, transforming the talent acquisition game by offering flexible access to high-quality, fractional expertise.
We sat down with Paul Begin, Co-Founder of Tilvo, to explore how this innovative platform not only solves pressing hiring dilemmas but also empowers businesses to scale efficiently. Get ready to dive into a conversation that sheds light on a startup passionate about making elite talent accessible to all.
What is Tilvo?
Tilvo is a platform that connects businesses with talented professionals currently employed at Fortune 500 companies. It specifically targets small to medium-sized enterprises (SMBs), corporate executives from larger firms and startup founders. These groups often struggle to access high-quality expertise for short-term projects without the burden of hiring full-time employees.
One key challenge these businesses encounter is the high cost of acquiring elite talent. Tilvo addresses this issue by offering a flexible service where companies can engage professionals on a fractional basis. This allows businesses to leverage top-tier skills for specific needs without committing to full-time salaries. For example, a tech startup can tap into a marketing executive’s expertise for strategic guidance while maintaining budgetary control.
What sets Tilvo apart from typical freelancing platforms is its exclusive access to high-calibre professionals and personalised matching services. Unlike generic platforms, Tilvo curates connections that ensure a good fit between the expert’s skills and the company’s culture.
This tailored approach not only saves time in recruitment but also maximises the effectiveness of the collaboration, enabling businesses to scale efficiently and innovate at pace.
Tilvo Founders
Tilvo’s founding team comprises three seasoned professionals, each bringing valuable experience to the table. Paul Begin, the Co-Co-Founder and Co-CEO, has built a reputation as a transformative leader. His career spans both entrepreneurial ventures and significant roles within large corporations, where he honed his skills in innovative team management.
With a knack for connecting with people, he fosters cohesive teams that drive business growth. This diverse background offers him a multifaceted perspective, essential for navigating the complex landscape of talent acquisition.
Eric Perigny, the other Co-Co-Founder and Co-CEO, complements Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit with his extensive background in management and marketing. His experience includes navigating complex business environments, where he has excelled as a sales and marketing generalist.
With an M.B.A. and a consultative approach, Eric is adept at identifying client needs, which plays a crucial role in Tilvo’s mission to connect small to medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) with elite talent. Their previous collaboration at RenoAssistance, where they successfully sold the company to a prominent financial institution in Canada, set the stage for their partnership in Tilvo.
The early days of Tilvo were characterised by enthusiasm and a shared vision. The founders were acutely aware of the challenges businesses face in finding top-tier talent, primarily due to budget constraints and a competitive job market. They recognised the potential of established professionals from Fortune 500 companies who often sought side projects for additional experience. Realising they could bridge the gap between these skilled individuals and businesses in need, they began developing the Tilvo platform, aimed at providing flexible access to that expertise.
Tilvo’s inception was fuelled not only by market observation but also by personal experiences. The founders understood firsthand the struggles of sourcing talent quickly and affordably. Their shared vision to tackle these challenges led to the creation of a platform that would offer a scalable solution for businesses, paving the way for efficient talent acquisition in a constantly evolving market.
Interview with Paul Begin, Co-Ceo and Co-Founder of Tilvo
I had the opportunity to interview Paul Begin, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Tilvo, to gain deeper insight into the company’s vision and operations. Here’s what he shared:
Q: Can you tell us about Tilvo in your own words?
A: Tilvo allows businesses to borrow talent from Fortune 500 companies. We serve mainly small to medium-sized business owners, corporate executives at larger companies, and startup founders and entrepreneurs. Essentially, we focus on solving the issue of accessing top-tier talent for short-term projects without the financial burden of hiring full-time executives.
Q: What problem does Tilvo aim to solve and how does it address this issue?
A: The primary problem we aim to solve is the difficulty businesses face in accessing elite talent without the long-term financial commitment. Tilvo delivers flexible, on-demand expertise by connecting businesses with professionals from Fortune 500 companies. We take a unique approach by making these professionals available on a fractional basis, ensuring companies only pay for the time and expertise they need, which is both cost-effective and efficient.
Q: Tell us about the founding team of Tilvo.
A: The founding team consists of myself and my Co-CEO Eric Perigny. We also have Steve Tremblay as our CTO. Each of us brings diverse experience to the table. My background is in entrepreneurial ventures and significant roles within large corporations, particularly in team management. Eric complements this with his extensive experience in management and marketing, having successfully navigated complex business environments. Steve brings exceptional leadership in information technology with a modern management approach.
Q: What inspired you to start Tilvo?
A: There were several key factors. First, we noticed the challenge businesses faced in attracting and retaining high-caliber professionals due to budget constraints and competitive job markets. Secondly, many skilled professionals at Fortune 500 companies sought side projects for additional experience. Additionally, our personal experiences with these challenges made us want to create a solution. Our market research also showed a growing demand for fractional and on-demand services. Ultimately, our passion for innovation drove us to build Tilvo, a platform that can bring these elements together.
Q: What differentiates Tilvo from its competitors?
A: We stand out due to our exclusive access to professionals currently employed at Fortune 500 companies. Unlike general freelancing platforms, we offer highly-skilled specialists with proven track records. We provide curated matches to ensure a precise fit for both project requirements and company culture. Additionally, we support a broader range of expertise, including AI, marketing, finance, IT, and legal fields.
Q: What are Tilvo’s future plans?
A: We are focused on developing our platform and enabling clients to self-serve using our algorithms and AI features. This will streamline the process even further and enhance our ability to connect businesses with the right professionals efficiently.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
A: Surround yourself with people who don’t accept losing and invest in your team. Quality talent will help you multiply your business’s success.
Feedough’s Take on Tilvo
Tilvo’s approach to connecting small to medium businesses with Fortune 500 talent on a fractional basis is both disruptive and urgently needed. Their customised matching system not only cuts down on recruitment times but also interlocks perfectly with the ongoing demands for flexibility and cost-efficiency in the SMB sector. Looking ahead, Tilvo has the potential to not just streamline but also transform the talent acquisition space.
Given its solid start, Tilvo should now focus on enhancing its technological backbone, perhaps by integrating advanced AI to refine talent matching further and improve user experience. Expanding their network to include global talents could also propel them towards a broader market disruption. Overall, Tilvo’s future seems ripe with possibility, and it’s exciting to think about where their innovation could lead the industry.
A startup consultant, digital marketer, traveller, and philomath. Aashish has worked with over 20 startups and successfully helped them ideate, raise money, and succeed. When not working, he can be found hiking, camping, and stargazing.