We're looking to hire a seasoned COO. What package would you pay? cash/ equity mix probably flexible (our run-rate is c$3.5m pa).

Ask them! If you don't have any similar interviews yet, get some done in a niche close to this one. Credibility is important, and if you show you've done some and they listen to just part of one interview, that can be what pushes them over the edge. Everyone likes to talk about themselves. So don't be afraid to make the connection. I work with a local pro soccer team and it was easy to connect with a senior management team member. From there, the players are all accessible. They're just regular guys, running around and wanting to have a good time. You could find the marketing director and ask who's the best talker of the bunch. Be sure to let them know they get to use the content as well. The teams are looking for reasons to be in the news. You're giving them one. Something they can share on their Facebook page, or in an email to their fans, that helps their followers feel closer to the team, is valuable. Don't get stuck thinking you're trying to "get" something from them. You're giving something, too.

Here's what you need to do to recruit any cofounder: 1) Prove or at least instill *high* confidence that you can fund the business or raise the funds required; 2) Demonstrate that you are someone worth following. What have you done previously that clearly shows to others that you have what it takes to succeed? 3) Credibly demonstrate that your idea can create massive success. An idea by itself, no matter how interesting is woefully insufficient. 4) Spend every day making outreach (cold emails, LinkedIn, dribbble, etc) to people, meeting at least 3 a week. You will "kiss many frogs." It's likely you have to meet at least 100 people to find the right person and that assumes you have 1-3. By the way, in order to actually *meet* 100 good people, you'll have to make outbound to at least 400 people. 5) Negotiate equity and compensation (pre and post funding) and ensure written alignment on how decisions are made between the two of you. Cofounder relationships are as intense as marriages. And just like getting married, it requires a lot of dating to build the trust. I'm *totally* unconvinced that two people can find a person they haven't known previously, and become effective cofounders. I think you're better off finding the money to hire someone than actually find a cofounder. The main reason? You probably won't find someone as passionate as you are about what you're building. And keep in mind, I have no idea who you are or what you're building so that's no judgement on you or the idea, just the reality I've observed over 20 years of startups.

Nearly every high-profile speaker has a website outlining their process, fees, and requirements for speaking engagements. They also have instructions on how to contact and book them.

If you're looking for Ruby folks, go where they go - local meetups. Second would be online but you will need to mine Stackoverflow, Github and similar sites and realize that they get approached regularly so start engaging early (at least 3 months before projected start date.)

I'd take a look at the large, established companies in the technology space in which you want to operate. Somewhere at one of those companies is an astute, experienced person who might be ready to get out of the big company environment if you come along with the right idea. E.g. Cisco if you are doing networking, Salesforce if you are doing marketing automation, Intuit if you are doing financial apps. The trick is finding one who not only has the technical expertise and wants to get out, but is well suited financially and psychologically for a startup. I learned the hard way that co-founders who are not in the same boat financially can make for an unhappy parting.