Focus on Seed to Series C
We focus exclusively on supporting the needs of startups. We've carved a niche of hiring for companies in their growth phase and know what it takes to reach the next milestone. At Shields Group Search, we believe in scaling through talent.
Supporting Venture-Backed Portfolio Companies
We have extensive relationships with Venture Capital firms and have a successful history of supporting portfolio companies they back. We specialize in supporting a company’s urgent hiring needs post fundraise.
Adding Value for Startup Growth
⮞ We make hires that will scale your company into the next phase of growth whether that’s shipping your first product, launching into a new market, or completing your Series A.
⮞ Candidates are evaluated for IQ, EQ, and AQ skills plus resilience for startup demands.
⮞ We focus on leaders who’ve done hard things and thrived.
Proactive Approach to Talent Search
⮞ We don’t wait for talent to apply, we go find them. We recruit with the hustle your startup deserves and leave no stones unturned to find the optimal fit.
⮞ We proactively engage passive candidates who are not actively searching.
⮞ We market roles thoughtfully, knowing that great hiring is a two-way process.
Leadership and Recruiting Philosophy
At Shields Group Search, we know how daunting it is to scale a startup. Every early hire carries enormous weight and can alter the trajectory of the business. That’s why we’ve built a practice dedicated to these exact moments. Having partnered with hundreds of founders, we specialize in placing the leaders and operators who move companies forward on their startup roadmap. Our focus is on helping early teams make high-impact hiring decisions with confidence.
Trusted Partner for Startup Founders
Seed to Series C founders and their investors turn to Shields Group Search because we understand the outsized impact of every early hire. We align talent not only with skillset but also with culture, stage, and long-term vision. Evaluating for EQ, IQ, and resilience to ensure fit. Backed by partnerships with leading VC firms and incubators, we deliver precision hiring that fuels growth.
About the Founder
Based in NYC, Thomas has carved a niche in the executive search domain. As a seasoned recruiter, his efforts have predominantly focused on structuring the executive teams of emerging VC and PE-backed portfolio companies. Before founding Shields Group Search, Thomas hired the founders of companies for a VC studio at the inception stage. He also worked in private equity recruiting, helping to bolster growing operating companies with senior, commercially focused leadership. On the side, Thomas acts as both an investor and advisor for early-stage companies. He offers personal insights into building an early-stage team and what it takes to truly scale through talent. He leads Shields Group Search, an executive recruitment firm focused on supporting the hiring needs of Seed-Series C start-ups.
