About Us
MatchStar Venture Search is a boutique executive recruitment
and placement firm that services the venture community and venture
backed "A through C" round funded companies, primarily in
the technology and Cleantech spaces. Our service model is designed
to help early stage companies manage through their specific life cycle
challenges. We offer a research based search process (headhunting within
specific domains), similar to a large retained firm, while employing
a contingency fee model. We have made every attempt to "de-risk" the
process for the entrepreneur, VC, and company executive. You don't
have to make a large upfront financial commitment, spend hours of personal
time managing a search process (which normally occurs even with a recruiter),
or wait weeks to find qualified candidates. We provide an extremely
high level of service, work closely with both the management team and
investors, and employ a unique filtering process to determine candidate
fit. We currently have relationships with over 30,000 seasoned tech
executives and investors from a wide variety of sectors – all
having at least 1-2 experiences working with startup or early stage
companies. This proprietary network serves as a deep candidate referral
channel to supplement our target select headhunting process. Matchstar
fills C-Level, VP, and Director level positions only.
In addition to our placement services, we connect
early stage companies with potential funding sources. Matchstar has
relationships with hundreds of venture capital firms and a variety
of private equity groups, while frequently serving as a source pool
for new institutional investment opportunities. Through our affiliate
partner, SCIUS Capital, Matchstar can bring a highly experienced professional
team capable of raising capital very quickly, while providing a low
fee structure, consultation, and coaching though the preparation, filing,
road show, and investor relations steps in the process.
Our offices are located in the Washington, D.C. and
San Francisco Bay Area. We work on search assignments in all major
cities of the U.S. (with an emphasis on the Mid-Atlantic through Boston
region and California), as well as Canada, Latin America, Europe and
Asia.
Our Difference
Matchstar Venture Search was launched in 1999 to solve
the problems most tech CEOs loath about retained
search firms – expensive
fees, large deposits, exclusivity, and long
lead times. Additionally, the company addresses those clear inadequacies
of contingent firms – absence
of research, shallow "off target" candidate pools, and an
inability to stand behind their work (in the
case of a "replacement" search).
We are completely focused on one space (institutionally
backed tech and Cleantech companies – domain agnostic) and only
fill C-Level, VP, and Director level positions. As a result,
we offer a very high level of service and deliverables.
Here are a few reasons why we are
the best choice for helping fast growth companies
meet their growth challenges:
- Domain Expertise: We primarily
work with high growth, VC or private equity based tech companies. Since
1995, we've built solid relationships with the venture community and
over 25,000 tech executives. Our entire process is geared around
an understanding of how early stage executives think, the milestones
required to move to the next level, company culture and long-term
strategic and financial exits.
- Unique, Consultative Process: Our
approach was originally developed to solve a number of common venture
backed management dilemmas: a) lack of resources in managing
the hiring process, b) the urgency of finding the right candidate
in a short time frame, and c) the extreme setback of hiring the wrong
person. Recognizing these issues, the Matchstar team personally develops
a target candidate profile and set of interview questions customized
specifically for each position. Clients can read the interview
answers, written by each candidate, along with the resume, before
deciding to interview the candidate. The interview questions
are both achievement oriented and "behavioral" in nature.
The answers provide a strong sense for how the candidate will fit
into an emerging culture, build a team, communicate with board members,
and manage stress as well as other inevitable problems facing most
fast growth tech companies. Additionally, information is provided
by the candidate regarding their current salary compensation expectations
and reason for leaving their current position. A simple resume cannot
communicate this level of depth. Many companies feel, as a result
of our process, that they already "know" the candidate prior
to the first interview.
- Speed: We have a 25,000+ international
network of executives who have done at least one fast growth tech
company. The network serves as a preliminary source pool, as well
as an incredible referral network. Our database is updated daily and
grows on average by 100 candidates per week. As a result, we can begin
presenting our top ten qualified candidates that meet your exact requirements
7-10 days of launching the search. This is rare in the search industry
and a key success factor for those clients who do not have time or
money to waste. Our proprietary network referral launch and headhunting
process operate concurrently within the first month of an engagement.
- Flexible Pay For Performance Fee Model: Most
of our service is contingency based allowing a company to manage its
burn without dishing out two thirds of a retained commission months
in advance of actually filling a position. Additionally, we
provide a variety of discount programs based on criteria that include
early invoice payment, multiple searches, funding rebates, etc. As
has been communicated to us by countless clients, we provide a much
higher level of service that is significantly less expensive than
most search firms.
- Deal Flow Exchange and Funding: You
can imagine how many companies contact us looking for funding, strategic
partners, and M&A opportunities. We have over hundreds of
VC and private equity firms that have asked us to provide deal sourcing
when available. We believe that sticking to our knitting
in this space provides a great opportunity to help a venture community
that acts as deal sources for us. Over the past few years, Matchstar
has helped a number of companies raise tens of millions in early stage
venture money. Additionally, we frequently help our clients meet potential
customers, strategic partners, and service provides through our extensive
network.
Our Unique Services and Terms
Matchstar offers a number of unique services to match
the needs and constraints of entrepreneurs and high growth tech companies.
- Contingency and Retainer Based Services: We undergo a rigorous selection
process which includes multiple senior management consultations, the development
of a specific candidate profile criteria, and the creation of a "pre-interview" benchmarking
questionnaire. Data gathered on all potential candidates is derived from both
historical and behavioral characteristics, as long-term employee success rates
are influenced by a candidate's ability to adapt to various corporate cultures
and personality types. Within 7-10 days of launching the search, we will begin
presenting our top ten qualified candidates. You will receive the resume and
interview answers of each candidate. Interview answers are written in the candidates
own words. Additionally, information is provided by the candidate regarding
their current salary compensation expectations and reason for leaving their
current position. We offer a hybrid fee structure, requiring a small deposit
up front with full payment full after completion of the search. Our fees are
flexible subject to speed of payment, size of deposit, number of concurrent
searches and previous working history with Matchstar.
- Consulting and Commission-Only Based Services: Same service as
above, only candidates agree in advance to begin working as a consultant and/or
for commissions only. Payment to Matchstar is based on a monthly recurring
percentage of the candidate's income or commission structure, over a 12 month
period. Fees are 25 percent depending upon payment terms.
- Venture Funding Services: Upon signing our Investor Services
Agreement, we will initiate the process of actively marketing your company
to potential venture/PE firms. Step 1: We will provide you a list of those
institutions who have asked us provide opportunities that match their specific
investment criteria. Step 2: You review the list and indicate those firms that
you do not wish to contact. Step 3: Matchstar begins making introductions.
4) We will follow-up with the investors to gage interest, obtain feedback,
and help set up meetings. 5) You formally take over the process with the respective
investor. Any transactional fees collected as a result of a successful funding
can be used as a credit towards future searches.
Confidentiality
Matchstar works on the highest ethical principles,
keeping all search and company information confidential. Candidates
sign a confidentiality agreement before interviewing with a client.
The fees, terms, and scope of our services are clearly defined at the
onset of an engagement.
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