IMHO for start-up to hire a C-level manager the best way is to look at VP / director level at a large company, preferably director level. If a start-up looks for a VP look at senior manager / director level. Basically hire people from large, established companies that a re currently at least 2 level below the senior position you are looking for. Those people are high enough to bring the seniority and low enough to still, maybe, do some of the actual work. Select from this population for the ability to cope with non-existing structures, be hands on themselves and the ability to calmly guide an organization.

The last thing you want is those career politicians that tend to climb the corporate ladder and rely on others to actual do the work.