- Salary
- $140k β $200k/yr
- Location
- San Francisco, California, US
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Sales
- Source
- Y Combinator
Description
Founding Account Executive
Helium is building self-improving software β AI that continuously creates and tests new software experiences.
We help the world's top consumer apps use AI to build, test, and optimize their monetization. Backed by ~$6M from Y Combinator, Gradient (Googleβs AI Fund), and leaders from OpenAI.
Why this role, why now:
- Our sales motion is primed: we close ~70% of inbound leads (most in 1-2 calls) and drive >30%+ revenue lift for most customers.
- We're on track to cross $1M ARR next month, with growth accelerating across inbound, partnerships, and marketing.
- Sales has been founder-led to date. We need a killer closer to take over the pipeline, scale the motion, and build the team underneath them.
π΄ Note π΄
- This is a full-time, in-person role based in San Francisco (and we often work weekends)
- We require US work authorization
- You have 1β3+ years of closing experience, with a strong track record of beating quota.
What You'll Do
- Own the full sales cycle end-to-end: qualify, demo, negotiate, and close β starting with a warm, high-converting inbound pipeline.
- Sell to growth, product, and engineering leaders at top consumer software companies.
- Take over our founder-led motion and codify it into a repeatable playbook β you'll write the playbook, not inherit one.
- Layer an outbound motion on top of inbound and partner-sourced pipeline.
- Work directly with the CEO on strategy, positioning, and pricing β and help define quotas, comp, and hiring for the AEs after you.
What We're Looking For
- A proven closer: 1β3+ years of quota-carrying, full-cycle B2B SaaS sales, consistently beating quota.
- Consultative and analytical: you can credibly jam with prospects on how to improve their monetization.
- Extreme ownership: you don't need SDRs, enablement, or a playbook handed to you β you build what's missing.
- AI-native and innovative: ready to build the systems you need to scale.
Nice To Haves
- Founding AE or first sales hire who helped take a company from ~$1M to $10M+ ARR.
- Experience selling technical products at a high-growth startup.
Reasons This Role Might Not Be A Fit
- You need SDRs, enablement, or a finished playbook to succeed.
- You're uncomfortable with ambiguity or going deep on a technical product.
- You're not excited by the intensity of an early-stage, in-person team.
Compensation
- OTE: ~$140-180k (~50/50 base/variable), uncapped with accelerators above quota.
- Equity: 0.15%β0.3% β real founding-team-level upside.
- Ramp guarantee for your first months.