Building the Bridge
Between Talent and Startups.
Connecting top talent with the fastest growing AI startups, all in one place
Startup hiring is broken.
If you’ve tried hiring for a startup, or applying to one, you know how messy it is. Finding roles means chasing positions scattered across the internet. Founders get flooded with applications, most of them unqualified. And talented candidates? Too often, they’re left waiting without answers.
Too many resumes.
Slow response times.
No clarity.
That’s why we built Alara
It’s a single platform where AI startups and top candidates actually find each other. Instead of noise and guesswork, Alara delivers curated matches, faster connections, and a fairer process on both sides.
Alara is designed for anyone navigating the chaos of startup hiring.
For candidates, it’s a way to discover real opportunities at the fastest-growing AI startups without the endless noise.
For founders and hiring teams, it’s a way to cut through crowded inboxes and connect directly with people who are driven, qualified, and ready to build.
Meet the Team
Hailey Toch
I’m originally from Great Neck, NY, and I’ve built my career across banking, asset management, and startups. I’ve interned at Amalgamated Bank in NYC, Endeavour Capital Advisors in Greenwich, and spent time at Frich, a fintech startup where I wore multiple hats across finance, marketing, and product development. Most recently, I interned at The Journey Platform, an AI startup in Tel Aviv, working on product and marketing initiatives.
These experiences showed me the excitement and challenges of working in fast-growing companies, and also the frustration of trying to break into the AI startup world as a job seeker. The process of finding opportunities was fragmented, competitive, and often discouraging. That pain point inspired me to start building a platform to make it easier for others to discover and connect with AI startups.
Outside of work, I enjoy tennis, skiing, exploring new coffee spots, watching the Knicks, catching sunsets, and staying active through health and wellness.
Ashton Mahfood
Co-Founder
Co-Founder
I’m originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and my background spans aerospace services, private credit, and investment banking. I’ve worked in the Leasing, Investments, Finance & Trading Group at GA Telesis, a global commercial aerospace services firm, and at HALO AirFinance, its joint venture private credit fund. Most recently, I spent this past summer at Consensus, a boutique investment bank in Boston specializing in consumer & retail transactions.
The structured nature of investment banking is no secret, but the startup world feels vastly different in comparison. For candidates trying to break into fast-moving, less structured sectors like AI, the process of finding meaningful opportunities is considerably inefficient. That gap inspired me to help build Alara — a platform designed to make connecting with startups easier, clearer, and more transparent for job seekers.
Outside of work, I’m a 2-handicap golfer who enjoys fitness and health, card magic, supporting Manchester United, and refining my fantasy football strategies.
Contact Us
Got questions, feedback, or partnership ideas? We’d love to hear from you. Complete the adjacent form, and our team will respond shortly.