How should performance management evolve as a startup grows

A practical guideline for founders and first people hires navigating performance management. In this guide, you’ll see how performance management must evolve as a company scales: from informal feedback and founder-led rituals in the earliest days, to structured goal systems, calibrated reviews, and transparent comp at later stages. Whether you’re building your first team or trying to preserve culture across hundreds of employees, this provides a clear roadmap for matching your people practices to each funding stage. Findings are based on recent research, insights from leading VC's, and discussions with 200+ people leaders in European tech companies.