Hire Founders & Operators Talent
Hire Battle-tested Entrepreneurial Talent: Ex-Founders - Operators - CXOs
We specialize in bringing passive and battle-tested Ex-Founders, Operators, Intrapreneurs and CXOs through our exclusive global startup network
The Problem
1
Limited Talent Access
95% of companies struggle to find entrepreneurial leadership talent
2
Network Limitations
Traditional recruiters lack access to ex-founder and operator networks
3
Hidden Talent
Ex-founders, Operators, and CXOs are often "hidden" - not actively job searching but open to right opportunities
4
Experience Gap
Companies need leaders who understand startup/scale-up dynamics, not just corporate experience
5
Lengthy Hiring Process
Time-to-hire for C-level positions averages 6-9 months, slowing growth momentum
6
Cultural Mismatch
Cultural mismatch between corporate executives and entrepreneurial environments
7
Innovation Talent Gap
Government and corporates struggle to attract entrepreneurial talent for innovation initiatives
Our Solution
Our Unique Talent Pool
Unlike traditional executive search firms, we leverage our exclusive network of 1000+ ex-founders, operators, and CXOs from our global startup ecosystem. We don't just find executives - we find entrepreneurial leaders who've been in your shoes.
We work as ONE team with ONE Objective: Match proven entrepreneurial talent with your growth ambitions!
Ex-Founders, Operators & CXOs
Startup Founders (Successful Exits)
- Founders who've built companies and grown revenues
- Serial entrepreneurs with 2+ startup experiences (successes and failures)
- Founders looking for their next challenge as operators vs starting new companies
- International founders seeking opportunities in new markets
Scale-up Operators
- Early employees (1-50) at companies that scaled well
- Operators who've managed hypergrowth phases (revenue growth in 2-3 years)
- Leaders who've built departments/functions from scratch in startup environments
- Cross-functional operators with multiple startup experiences
Startup-Native CXOs
- CXOs from Seed to Series A-D companies with proven track records
- Executives who've navigated multiple funding rounds and investor relations
- Leaders experienced in resource-constrained, high-velocity environments
- Functional experts who understand startup unit economics and growth metrics
Corporate Innovation Leaders
- Executives who've led corporate venture arms and innovation labs
- Leaders who've successfully launched new business lines within large organizations
- Executives experienced in startup partnerships and acquisition integration
- Innovation-focused leaders looking for more entrepreneurial environments
What We Offer
Track 1: Startup & Scale-up Executive Search
For Seed to Series A-D companies needing entrepreneurial leadership
Target Roles:
- C-Suite Positions: CEO, COO, CFO, CTO, CMO, CPO succession planning
- VP-Level Leadership: VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP Product, VP Marketing and other functions
- Functional Leaders: Head of Growth, Head of People, Head of Strategy and other functions
- Regional Leadership: Country Managers, Regional Directors for expansion
Specialized Searches:
- Post-acquisition integration leaders who've managed M&A transitions
- Turnaround specialists with experience in distressed startup situations
- International expansion leaders with cross-border scaling experience
- Industry-specific operators (FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, SaaS expertise)
Track 2: Corporate Innovation & Venture Executive Search
For large corporations building innovation capabilities
Target Roles:
- Chief Innovation Officers and VP Innovation positions
- Corporate Venture Capital leaders to manage investment portfolios
- New Business Development heads for launching new products/services
- Digital Transformation leaders with startup methodology experience
- Partnership Development executives for startup ecosystem engagement
Specialized Corporate Needs:
- Innovation lab directors to build internal entrepreneurship programs
- Startup partnership managers for corporate-startup collaboration programs
- Venture studio leaders for corporate venture building initiatives
- M&A integration specialists with startup acquisition experience
Track 3: Government & Public Sector Innovation Leadership
For government agencies and public sector organizations seeking entrepreneurial talent
Target Roles:
- Innovation Directors for government digital transformation initiatives
- Startup Ecosystem Development leaders for economic development agencies
- Public-Private Partnership managers with startup engagement experience
- Policy Innovation leaders who understand startup regulatory needs
- Smart City and GovTech implementation heads
Specialized Government Needs:
- Entrepreneurship program directors for government accelerators and incubators
- Economic development leaders focused on startup ecosystem building
- Regulatory innovation specialists who can bridge startup needs with policy
- International trade and investment promotion leaders with startup expertise
How It Works
Our comprehensive four-step process ensures we connect you with the ideal entrepreneurial talent, seamlessly integrating them into your organization.
1
Step 1: Role Definition & Search Strategy
- 60-minute discovery call to understand role requirements and cultural fit.
- Define ideal candidate profile based on your growth stage and challenges.
- Map compensation structure and equity participation frameworks.
- Develop search timeline and milestone framework.
2
Step 2: Exclusive Network Activation
- Access our vetted database of 1000+ entrepreneurial leaders.
- Activate warm introductions through our VC and startup network connections.
- Conduct confidential outreach to passive candidates not actively searching.
- Leverage our community events and network gatherings for candidate sourcing.
3
Step 3: Candidate Curation & Vetting
- Present 3-5 highly qualified candidates within 3-4 weeks.
- Comprehensive background verification and reference checks.
- Cultural fit assessment and growth stage experience validation.
- Equity expectation and compensation requirement alignment.
4
Step 4: Interview Facilitation & Negotiation
- Coordinate interview process and provide candidate coaching.
- Facilitate final negotiations including equity, compensation, and role scope.
- Support onboarding and integration planning.
- 90-day check-in to ensure successful placement integration.
Who is it for?
Perfect Fit For:
Seed to Series A startups (raising $500K to $10M+ full/partial rounds)
Revenue-positive or clear path to revenue within 12-18 months
Experienced founding team with domain expertise
Scalable business model with defensible competitive advantages
Clear market opportunity and addressable market size
Open to various capital structures (equity, debt, revenue-based financing)
Not Suitable For:
- Pre-revenue with no clear business model
- Lifestyle businesses or service companies
- Founders are not ready for institutional investment
- Companies requiring debt financing
Why Choose Us Over Others?
vs. Traditional Executive Search Firms
✅ Entrepreneurial expertise - We understand startup/scale-up leadership needs
✅ Exclusive network access - 500+ ex-founders and operators not available elsewhere
✅ Faster timelines - 50% faster than traditional search due to warm network
✅ Cultural fit guarantee - We know what works in entrepreneurial environments
vs. Internal Recruiting Teams
✅ Passive candidate access - Reach leaders not actively job searching
✅ Network leverage - Immediate access to global startup ecosystem
✅ Specialized vetting - Deep understanding of startup leadership requirements
✅ Negotiation expertise - Experience with equity negotiations and startup compensation
vs. LinkedIn/Hiring Platforms
✅ Curated quality - Pre-vetted candidates with proven track records
✅ Relationship-based approach - Warm introductions vs cold outreach
✅ Comprehensive support - Full-service search including negotiation support
✅ Long-term partnerships - Ongoing relationship for multiple hires and growth stages
Our Network & Track Record
Network Composition
700+ Passive Entrepreneurial Leaders Including:
- Founders & Ex-founders with successful businesses
- Startup operators from Seed to Series A-D companies
- Corporate innovation leaders with startup experience
- Functional experts (Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing) from high-growth companies
- International leaders with cross-border expansion experience
Geographic Distribution:
Our global network spans across major startup hubs with 40% in North America (US, Canada), 35% in Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Nordics), 20% in Asia-Pacific (India, Singapore, Australia, Japan), and 5% in other regions (Latin America, Middle East, Africa).
Success Metrics & Commitments
Our Commitments
✅ Placement guarantee: Minimum 3-5 qualified candidates presented
✅ Quality assurance: Only entrepreneurial leaders with proven startup/scale-up experience
✅ Speed guarantee: Final placement within 6-8 weeks vs industry average of 12-16 weeks
✅ Retention guarantee: 12-18 month replacement guarantee for all placements
✅ Network access: Exclusive access to 1000+ vetted ex-founders and operators not available elsewhere
✅ Response guarantee: All communications answered within 24 hours
✅ Transparency: Weekly progress reports and candidate feedback throughout the process
What We Don't Guarantee
❌ Candidate acceptance of offers (depends on role fit, compensation, and personal circumstances)
❌ Specific candidate preferences or availability timing
❌ Success without competitive compensation and equity packages
❌ Cultural fit if company values don't align with an entrepreneurial mindset
Let's connect you with battle-tested Founders & Operators?
The best leaders aren't just experienced—they're battle-tested entrepreneurs who've built what you're trying to build.Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs.
