The executive search firms industry in the US focuses on identifying and placing skilled executives in organizations. These firms work with various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and finance, helping businesses find the right talent for senior positions. The industry has evolved to include innovative recruitment solutions, utilizing tech-driven platforms and data analytics for more efficient candidate matching. As companies face rapidly changing market demands and talent shortages, executive search firms are adapting by offering specialized services, coaching, and talent mapping, proving vital in aligning leadership with company goals for sustained growth.


The investors in this list reflect a mix of venture capital firms, private equity players, and corporate investors, primarily situated in key US cities like San Francisco and New York. Founded between 1983 and 2023, these firms range in size from a handful of employees to thousands. In the past year, they collectively engaged in 1,082 deals, signaling robust interest in sectors intersecting with executive search, demonstrating varying expertise in supporting innovative talent solutions through financial backing and strategic guidance.


Top 14 Executive Search Firms Investors in the US


1. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through structured programs and resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. With over 4,000 startups launched, Y Combinator has established itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Notably, Y Combinator participated in funding rounds for Pulse, a platform designed for C-Suite executives, indicating its engagement with the executive search and leadership development space. In 2018, Pulse raised $4M in seed funding with Y Combinator's participation, showcasing its interest in companies that serve executive-level professionals. Additionally, Y Combinator has invested in other startups like Pathrise, which focuses on career coaching and job placement, further highlighting its relevance to the executive search industry.


2. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund, part of Alumni Ventures, is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions such as Bolster, a marketplace for on-demand executive talent, which raised $11 million in Series B financing in 2022, highlighting the fund's engagement in the executive search sector. Other investments include Shortlist, which raised $1 million in a Seed Round, and Mylance, which secured $500,000 in Seed funding, further showcasing the fund's diverse portfolio and interest in innovative talent solutions.


3. Salesforce Ventures


Salesforce Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in investing in innovative enterprise software companies, providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry leaders to help startups grow from seed to IPO. Salesforce Ventures has a diverse investment portfolio that includes sectors such as AI, digital health, and climate technology. Notably, they have invested in companies relevant to the executive search industry, including SmartRecruiters, which raised over $19 million in Series B funding, and Candidate Labs, which focuses on enhancing recruitment processes. Their participation in the Series B funding round for pymetrics, an enterprise SaaS company, further demonstrates their engagement in the talent acquisition space. These transactions highlight Salesforce Ventures' commitment to supporting companies that are innovating within the recruitment and executive search sectors.


4. NFP, an Aon company

  • Website: nfp.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: wearenfp

NFP, an Aon company, is a consulting firm based in New York, specializing in insurance brokerage and financial services. Founded in 1998, NFP offers a wide range of products, including property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, and wealth management solutions. In recent years, NFP has expanded its capabilities in the human capital consulting sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, in November 2022, NFP acquired Juno Search Partners, a Philadelphia-based search and staffing firm, to enhance its human capital consulting capabilities and expand its outsourcing, placement, and temporary staffing services. Additionally, in January 2022, NFP acquired Helios HR, an HR outsourcing and consulting firm, further strengthening its HR consulting services. These acquisitions reflect NFP's strategic focus on enhancing its offerings in the executive search and staffing industry, positioning it as a significant player in this space.


5. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They focus on connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities primarily in the technology sector. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Instant Teams, a remote talent marketplace that raised $13M in Series A funding, indicating their engagement in the talent acquisition space. Additionally, they have invested in Censia and Talentia, both of which are involved in talent management solutions. These transactions highlight their commitment to enhancing business development in sectors that intersect with executive search firms.


6. FJ Labs

  • Website: fjlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 169
  • LinkedIn: fj-labs

FJ Labs is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2015, that specializes in investing in marketplace and network effect businesses. With a portfolio of over 1,000 companies, many of which have achieved unicorn status, FJ Labs provides capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs across various industries, including e-commerce and logistics. Notably, they have invested in Hunt Club, a company that raised funds in multiple rounds (including Series A and Venture Round) and focuses on modernizing the recruitment process. Additionally, they have backed Candidate Labs, which raised funds in seed rounds, further emphasizing their commitment to the executive search and recruitment sector. These transactions highlight FJ Labs' active role in supporting innovative solutions within the executive search industry.


7. General Catalyst


General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments, providing capital and strategic guidance to startups and growth-stage companies across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has been involved in significant transactions such as Chief, a private network for women leaders, where they co-led multiple funding rounds totaling $115 million. This involvement highlights their interest in leadership and professional development, which is pertinent to the executive search firms context. Additionally, they have participated in various other funding rounds, indicating a broad investment strategy while still supporting initiatives that resonate with the executive search industry.


8. Gaingels

  • Website: gaingels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 60
  • LinkedIn: gaingels

Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015 and based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm provides capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups, to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy. Gaingels also offers scholarship programs and advisory services to enhance board diversity. Notably, they have invested in Worca, a global HR platform that raised $1.5 million in seed funding for expansion, indicating their interest in the HR sector. Additionally, they participated in the funding rounds of Ceresa, which focuses on leadership development, and other companies that may intersect with the executive search industry. Their commitment to diversity and their investments in relevant sectors make them a significant player in the landscape of executive search firms.


9. Blackstone

  • Website: blackstone.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: blackstonegroup

Blackstone Inc. is a leading investment management firm based in New York, specializing in alternative investments. Founded in 1985, Blackstone has built a diverse portfolio that includes private equity, real estate, and credit solutions for both institutional and individual investors. Notably, Blackstone has made significant investments in firms relevant to the executive search industry, such as Sia Partners, which raised an undisclosed amount in a private equity round in December 2024, and Acuity Knowledge Partners, which secured $600 million in debt financing in October 2024. These transactions highlight Blackstone's commitment to investing in companies that enhance business operations and consulting services, further solidifying its role as a key player in the executive search firms sector.


10. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is a commercial bank founded in 1983, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. With a workforce of 5001-10000 employees, SVB offers a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management, helping clients navigate financial challenges and support their growth. SVB has been actively involved in funding companies related to executive search and talent management, such as Bolster, which raised $11 million in Series B financing with SVB's participation, and theBoardlist, which secured $2 million in seed funding with SVB as an investor. Additionally, SVB participated in funding rounds for Hired, a recruitment platform, and CoachHub, a digital coaching platform, further demonstrating its engagement in the broader talent acquisition and management landscape.


11. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 101
  • LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China. The firm specializes in investing in startups and early-stage companies, primarily in the technology sector. Accel has been involved in several notable transactions relevant to the executive search context, including a $3 million seed investment in Chief, a company focused on women's leadership and networking, and significant funding rounds for Eruditus Executive Education, which provides professional education that can enhance executive capabilities. These investments indicate Accel's engagement with sectors that intersect with executive search, particularly in leadership development and education.


12. SV Angel

  • Website: svangel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 44
  • LinkedIn: sv-angel

SV Angel is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments, primarily in the technology sector. SV Angel provides financial backing, strategic advice, and access to a vast network of industry experts to support founders in navigating the challenges of business development. Notably, SV Angel has invested in companies like EmployInsight, which focuses on hiring applications, and GLG, which operates in the expert network space. These investments highlight SV Angel's engagement with the human resources and recruitment technology sectors, making them a relevant player in the executive search firms landscape. Their diverse portfolio also includes investments in various other technology startups, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation across multiple domains.


13. Liquid 2 Ventures

  • Website: liquid2.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 91
  • LinkedIn: liquid-2-ventures

Liquid 2 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in technology startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, as well as growth-stage companies. They provide capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry insiders to help founders navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. Notably, Liquid 2 Ventures has invested in companies like Humanly.io, which raised a total of $1,100,000 in pre-seed rounds in 2020, indicating their interest in the HR technology space. Other investments include Flyx AI, Gem, and Crash, showcasing their diverse portfolio in the tech sector. Their focus on supporting exceptional founders to build lasting companies aligns with the needs of the executive search industry, which often seeks innovative solutions for talent acquisition and management.


14. Audax Private Debt

  • Website: audaxprivatedebt.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: audax-private-debt

Audax Private Debt is an investment firm based in New York, specializing in private debt solutions for middle market companies. Founded in 2000, the firm offers a variety of financing options, including senior debt, junior debt, and equity co-investments, primarily targeting private equity-backed businesses. Audax focuses on collaboration and tailored solutions to help clients achieve growth and strategic acquisitions. Notably, they have been involved in several debt financing transactions with private equity firms such as Wind Point Partners, Brentwood Associates, and Thompson Street Capital Partners. These transactions, while not directly linked to executive search firms, demonstrate Audax's active role in supporting businesses that may include executive search firms within their portfolio, thereby indicating their potential relevance in this sector.



Executive Search Firms Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
Salesforce VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50200958
NFP, an Aon companyNew York, New York, United States (USA)5001-10000199814
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
General CatalystSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002000144
GaingelsBurlington, Vermont, United States (USA)11-50201560
BlackstoneNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000198557
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
AccelPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-2001983101
SV AngelSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10200944
Liquid 2 VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201591
Audax Private DebtNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-20020002


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