Building a founding team in post-quantum cryptography across design, engineering and research.

Project Eleven is an applied lab operating at the intersection of quantum computing and cryptography, focused on helping future-proof digital assets through post-quantum infrastructure, tooling and products. The company operates fully remotely across Europe and needed to build out multiple specialist roles in parallel, including a Founding Designer, Frontend Engineer, two Research Engineers and a Protocol Engineer. These searches were highly complex due to the niche nature of post-quantum cryptography, combined with the need to deliver across several specialised roles at the same time, while maintaining quality and momentum across concurrent mandates.

Spectrum ran a research-led search across Europe, mapping relevant post-quantum cryptography talent through targeted keyword searches, adjacent cryptography and zero-knowledge projects, and leading academic institutions. As the process evolved, each brief was continuously refined based on candidate and client feedback. The team stayed closely aligned with Project Eleven and combined fresh market research with Spectrum's existing internal network to strengthen delivery across all roles.

Spectrum delivered five hires across design, frontend, protocol and research engineering, including the company's first designer, and helped scale the team from scratch. Talent was secured from companies including MetaMask, Consensys, Reya Labs, Neon Labs, Fortanix and Stader Labs, building a strong foundation for Project Eleven's first platform launch and future rebrand.