Chief Operating Officer

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a startup is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. The COO ensures that the startup’s business processes run smoothly, aligning operations with the company’s vision and goals set by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In startups, the COO role is critical as these companies often face rapid growth, limited resources, and the need for quick decision-making. This article explains the role, responsibilities, and significance of a COO in a startup, tailored for first-time founders without a business background.

Role and Responsibilities

The COO in a startup is often described as the “doer” who translates the CEO’s vision into actionable plans. Unlike in large corporations, where roles are more defined, the COO in a startup wears many hats due to the company’s small size and dynamic environment. Key responsibilities include:

• Operational Management: Overseeing daily activities such as product development, supply chain management, and customer service to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Team Coordination: Managing teams across departments like marketing, sales, and technology, ensuring collaboration and alignment with the startup’s goals.
• Process Development: Creating scalable systems and processes to support growth, such as setting up workflows for hiring or production.
• Resource Allocation: Managing limited resources, including budgets and personnel, to maximize efficiency in a resource-constrained environment.
• Strategic Execution: Working closely with the CEO to implement the company’s strategic plans, such as entering new markets or launching products.

In startups, the COO often bridges the gap between the CEO’s big-picture ideas and the practical execution by the team. For example, if a startup aims to launch a new app, the CEO might define the vision, while the COO ensures the development team meets deadlines, the marketing team promotes the app, and the budget stays on track.

Importance in Startups

Startups operate in fast-paced, uncertain environments with limited resources, making the COO’s role vital. Unlike established companies, startups often lack structured processes, so the COO helps create order and scalability. They focus on turning ideas into reality while keeping costs low and productivity high. For instance, a COO might streamline a startup’s customer support system to handle increased demand without hiring additional staff.

The COO also supports the CEO by taking on operational tasks, allowing the CEO to focus on fundraising, partnerships, and long-term strategy. In some cases, the COO may also act as a co-founder, bringing complementary skills to the leadership team. For example, a CEO with a technical background might rely on a COO with expertise in business operations or marketing.

Examples in the News

Recent examples highlight the COO’s evolving role in startups:

• In February 2024, MobiKwik, a fintech startup, promoted Mohit Narain Garg to COO to oversee operational efficiency and growth in its payment services.
• In June 2024, Thrive, a technology outsourcing startup, appointed Scott Steele as COO to enhance its cybersecurity operations and global expansion.
• In June 2025, Aclara Resources Inc., a startup in the rare earths sector, appointed Hugh Broadhurst as COO to lead technical operations for its upstream projects, including the Carina Project.
• In June 2025, Fitness Ventures, a franchise within the Crunch Fitness system, promoted Bryan Thomas to Chief Fitness Strategy Officer, a role akin to COO, to drive operational strategy and revenue growth.
• In May 2025, Brinker International, which operates Chili’s, elevated a 29-year veteran to COO and Chief People Officer to enhance operational efficiency.

These appointments demonstrate how startups across industries rely on COOs to manage growth, streamline operations, and address sector-specific challenges.

Skills and Background

A COO in a startup typically needs a mix of skills:

• Adaptability: Startups change rapidly, so COOs must adjust to new challenges, like shifting market demands or team growth.
• Problem-Solving: COOs tackle issues like supply chain delays or budget overruns with creative solutions.
• Leadership: They motivate small teams, often with limited experience, to achieve big goals.
• Communication: COOs coordinate between departments and communicate the CEO’s vision clearly.

While some COOs have formal business degrees, many in startups come from diverse backgrounds, such as engineering, project management, or entrepreneurship. What matters most is their ability to execute plans and manage chaos.

Challenges in Startups

The COO role in startups comes with unique challenges:

• Limited Resources: Startups often have tight budgets, so COOs must optimize operations with minimal funds.
• Scaling Operations: As startups grow, COOs must build systems that can handle increased demand without breaking down.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: Startups prioritize speed to market, but COOs must ensure quality isn’t compromised.

For example, a COO at a food delivery startup might need to expand delivery operations to new cities while keeping costs low and customer satisfaction high.

Difference from Other Roles

The COO is distinct from other startup roles:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO sets the vision and represents the company externally, while the COO focuses on internal operations.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The CFO handles financial strategy, like budgeting and fundraising, while the COO manages day-to-day operations.
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO): The CTO focuses on technical development, like building software, while the COO oversees broader operations.

In small startups, one person might take on multiple roles, but as the company grows, the COO’s role becomes more specialized.

Hiring a COO in a Startup

For first-time founders, hiring a COO involves finding someone who complements the CEO’s skills. If the CEO is a visionary but lacks operational experience, a COO with a background in project management or operations management can be invaluable. Founders should look for candidates who are:

• Comfortable with uncertainty and fast-paced environments.
• Skilled at building processes from scratch.
• Able to work with small, cross-functional teams.

Startups may also promote internal team members to COO, as seen in the case of MobiKwik’s promotion of Mohit Narain Garg and Fitness Ventures’ promotion of Bryan Thomas. [](https://prnewswire.com/news-releases/fitness-ventures-promotes-bryan-thomas-to-chief-fitness-strategy-officer-302485418.html)

See Also

• Startup company
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Technology Officer
• Business operations
• Entrepreneurship