We give founderstheir time back.
Fractional HR + Talent Acquisition + Strategy
Senior People and Operations help for venture-backed startups, before you're ready for a full-time exec hire.
Trusted by founders at
Sova in action
What happens whenfounders bring us in.Strategy
We sit with you on the hard calls before they become emergencies. Org design, runway scenarios, the conversation you've been avoiding for three weeks.
Talent
Hiring that filters out the tourists. Real assessments, cultural fit, and the kind of operators who don't need a manual.
Hard calls
Terminations, reorgs, performance issues, runway tightening. Scripted, supported, executed clean. US and Canada.
Founder
Charlyne Fothergill
How is Sova different?
Startups operate differently. Priorities shift quickly, roles rarely stay inside tidy boxes, and every people decision has to account for runway, stage and what the business can realistically support.
Sova was founded by Charlyne Fothergill, an operator with more than 20 years across HR, talent acquisition and business operations. For the past 15 years she's supported North America's tech and startup ecosystem, as an in-house HR leader, as Program Director for VC-backed accelerator programs, and as a mentor, advisor and consultant to founders at every stage. She gets the chaos because she's worked inside it.
In 2021 she launched Sova to give startups that depth of People and Operations experience before they need a full-time executive hire. That mindset runs across Sova's small, carefully chosen team. Every operator here has worked inside startups. The only way to get it is to have lived it.
What founders say
“After our Series A raise, Sova helped Spexi hire 9 key team members across operations, engineering, product, sales, and marketing in just 4 months. The team demonstrated a knowledge of both the requirements for the roles and the culture of a fast-paced growing scaleup. They acted as an extension of our team and the hiring process was smooth and efficient and customized to each hiring manager's needs. They made our management team's life easier and helped us secure top talent at a critical time.”
Peter Szymczak
Co Founder + CTO of Spexi Geospatial
“When Quandri entered its growth phase after our Series A, we were referred to Charlyne and her Sova network from one of our advisors. Over the next few years we engaged with Sova for on-demand expertise and support with hiring. From establishing initial policies and processes to advising on employment matters and organizing our first in-person offsite, it allowed us to keep focused on our core mission. The Sova team seamlessly integrated with our hiring managers, functioning as an extension of our internal team and played a crucial role in bringing on key hires, including our first dedicated HR person. Their deep understanding of startups and our dynamic, ever-evolving culture was evident in the tailored solutions they provided and the efficient execution of their work.”
Jackson Fregeau
CEO of Quandri
“Charlyne was an invaluable asset to Lighthouse Labs, playing a pivotal role in our growth and success. As Director of HR and Career Services, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of startup dynamics. Her ability to navigate complex challenges, build a positive company culture, and drive results was instrumental in our achievements. I highly recommend Charlyne for her expertise and dedication.”
Jeremy Shaki
CEO of Lighthouse Labs
“Charlyne's impact on Canada's tech startup ecosystem is undeniable. I had the pleasure of collaborating with her on Launch Academy and the GrowLab Program, where her expertise in HR and business operations proved invaluable. Her ability to offer practical advice specific to early-stage and VC-backed companies is a testament to her deep understanding of the startup world. Charlyne is a true asset to any organization.”
Ray Walia
CEO of Launch Ventures
Insights from the inside