Let's say someone from web 2.0 startup to a data mining startup? They know nothing about data mining but the culture of their web 2.0 startup sounds like it matches with yours and they like learning.<p>The other choice is to get someone who has X years of experience and knowledge of data mining but has huge cultural baggage from working for Big Corp for many years of their life. This person has tons of knowledge, the only thing that needs to be done is to change their personality.