I believe the better solution to most of these problems is to find your freelancer, consultant, etc. through personal channels where their reputation is already established and their past success verified.
For example, you may not have a technical co-founder, but you may have a friend who does, and they're likely to have a friend who is still doing independent consulting. Now, that person may not be available to work with you, but since they're in freelancing circles, they'll likely be able to put you in touch with someone who can, all while knowing that a bit of their own reputation is on the line in the process of recommending someone.
The key here is that you're not finding a stranger online and asking them to establish their credentials. Instead, you have no idea who you'll end up with and the only way you'll find them is if they've got the credentials (and the availability.)
For example, you may not have a technical co-founder, but you may have a friend who does, and they're likely to have a friend who is still doing independent consulting. Now, that person may not be available to work with you, but since they're in freelancing circles, they'll likely be able to put you in touch with someone who can, all while knowing that a bit of their own reputation is on the line in the process of recommending someone.
The key here is that you're not finding a stranger online and asking them to establish their credentials. Instead, you have no idea who you'll end up with and the only way you'll find them is if they've got the credentials (and the availability.)