Ask HN: How do I find startups that are looking for a dev? How to approach them?

I have been working with react, next.js , react native and node.js from last 4 years and more. I wanna to join an early-stage startup, contribute closely to the product, and learn more about a startup.

Whenever I find an interesting startup, I usually reach out through email or Discord. Most of the time, they are either not hiring, do not have the budget, or do not reply. I have also tried approaching founders with specific suggestions about how I could improve or help build their website or product but no luck.

I have the flexibility to take some risk so idm working on contract, freelance type. I just wanna have try something like this.

Do you have any suggestions?

In general, asking "is there anything I might help with?" is a better approach than telling people what problems I think I can solve.

Because my solutions are unlikely to fit their important problems.

And because telling people what problems they have suggests they don't understand what they are doing.

And because assuming problems that don't exist is a tell for an employee who looks for problems they can solve rather than works on problems that need solving.

Or even worse, invents problems that they can solve instead of doing what is important.

Good luck.