Remote-First Company

What is a Remote-First Company?

A remote-first company is an organization that prioritizes remote work as its default operating model. Unlike hybrid setups where office presence is the norm, remote-first teams work primarily from anywhere - with in-person offices used optionally or not at all.

In a remote-first culture, tools, workflows, and communication are all optimized for asynchronous, distributed teams.

How Remote-First Companies Work

Remote-first companies don’t just allow remote work - they are built around it. Core traits include:

• Distributed teams across multiple time zones

• Async communication via tools like Slack, Notion, or Loom

• Virtual onboarding, payroll, and performance management

• Global hiring through platforms like SigmaRemote or Deel

• Timezone-aware scheduling and documentation-first culture

Famous examples of remote-first companies include:

• GitLab – Fully remote with 1,000+ team members in 65+ countries

• Zapier – Runs without a central office and hires globally

• Doist, Basecamp, Remote.com – Built for async global teams

Why Remote-First Matters

Remote-first is more than a policy - it’s a competitive advantage for modern businesses.

• Access better talent – Hire globally without borders

• Lower operating costs – No office leases, relocation, or commuting expenses

• Inclusive culture – Team members in emerging markets, caregivers, digital nomads

• Faster scaling – Tap into regions like LATAM, Africa, or SEA with compliant onboarding

Platforms like SigmaRemote help remote-first companies manage payroll, legal compliance, and contractor onboarding - without needing a local entity.

Example Use Case

A U.S. startup adopts a remote-first model and hires engineers in Nigeria, designers in Argentina, and QA testers in the Philippines.
Using SigmaRemote, they handle onboarding, FX-free payments, and tax compliance - all without setting up local branches.

Related Glossary Terms

• Global Payroll

• Employer of Record (EOR)

• USD Wallet

• Cross-Border Compliance

• Async Collaboration

Explore More

📘 [How SigmaRemote helps remote-first teams scale faster]
📘 [Compare Deel vs Remote.com for distributed teams]
📘 [Explore our LATAM Contractor Onboarding Guide]