The Big Search
The Big Search is a private Amsterdam-headquartered executive search firm placing Director-to-C-level leaders into European technology companies, specializing in SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech verticals via proprietary Navis AI and Topliner talent intelligence platforms and a retained, relationship-driven sales model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Big Search does
The Big Search is a private, Amsterdam-headquartered executive search firm founded in 2014 that places Director-to-C-level leaders into European technology companies across three dedicated verticals: SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech. The firm operates on a retained, quote-based professional services model, with each mandate individually scoped by seniority, geography, and vertical; no public pricing is disclosed and the client acquisition motion is anchored on direct founder and investor relationships, with the company stating that every client returns on average. Named clients span VC-backed scale-ups, PE-backed platforms, and large enterprises, including Miro, Statista, FREENOW, NORD Holding, Otto Group, Revolut, Helsing, UiPath, Zalando, Prosus, Permira, HelloFresh, Vinted, and Bitburger.
The firm's core technology stack is built around two proprietary platforms. Navis AI is the AI-powered research engine spun out as a daughter talent intelligence company under founder and CEO Learco Finck, providing AI-driven global market visibility and candidate identification across text processing of CVs and professional profiles. Topliner is a proprietary market intelligence platform used to map candidate pools (1,300+ engineering leaders in Germany, 1,100+ senior finance candidates in European deeptech) and to publish vertical talent lists such as the Top 20 Engineering Leaders Scaling Tech in Germany. Human consultant judgement curates shortlists from AI-driven research output.
The Big Search delivers three core services: Executive Search (full-cycle mandates, typically scoped to signed offer in ~90 days), Mapping (market intelligence and talent benchmarking), and Strategic Partnership (embedded talent acquisition). Beyond search, the firm operates a content-led demand generation engine via The Big Byte Substack, vertical-specific blog content, case studies, and The Big Meet networking events. Operations span Amsterdam HQ and consultant benches in Berlin, Budapest, Skopje, Warsaw, Italy, and Croatia, with coverage extending across DACH, Nordics, Benelux, UK, France, Southern Europe, and CEE.
The Big Search firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Big Search
- Legal name
- The Big Search
- Website
- https://thebigsearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Big Search is a private Amsterdam-headquartered executive search firm placing Director-to-C-level leaders into European technology companies, specializing in SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech verticals via proprietary Navis AI and Topliner talent intelligence platforms and a retained, relationship-driven sales model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Big Search industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA), Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)
Keywords
Where The Big Search is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
The Big Search business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Executive Search Retained Search: The Big Search operates as a retained executive search firm. Revenue is generated through successful executive placement mandates. Clients include PE-backed, VC-backed, and growth-stage European technology companies. No public pricing is disclosed — pricing is quote-based and project-specific based on seniority level and scope.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based / bespoke search mandates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Big Search product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Big Search is a retained executive search firm that places Director to C-level leaders at European SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech technology companies. It combines human-led candidate curation with AI-powered research via its proprietary Navis AI and Topliner platforms, and offers complementary Mapping (market/talent intelligence) and Strategic Partnership (embedded talent acquisition) services to investors and growth-stage founders.
Product overview
The Big Search is an executive search firm offering three core services: Executive Search (full-cycle recruitment for Director to C-level roles), Mapping (market intelligence and talent benchmarking), and Strategic Partnership (embedded talent acquisition). The firm operates specialized practices for Consumer, DeepTech, and SaaS sectors, leveraging proprietary technology platforms including Navis AI (talent intelligence), Topliner (market mapping), and The Big Byte (thought leadership). The company also hosts The Big Meet events and publishes market intelligence reports. The business is headquartered in Amsterdam with consultants across Berlin, Budapest, Skopje, and Croatia, serving European technology companies from venture-backed startups to PE-backed scale-ups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Navis: A daughter talent intelligence company of TBS, founded by Learco Finck. Powers the research core of The Big Search with AI-driven market visibility.
Products and services
- Executive Search Full-cycle retained executive recruitment placing Director to C-level leaders across European SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech technology companies. Engagements combine proprietary Navis AI and Topliner research with human-curated shortlists and end-to-end execution from scoping to signed offer, typically completed within 90 days for senior mandates.
- Mapping Market mapping and talent intelligence service that identifies and benchmarks leadership candidates within specific sectors or geographies using the proprietary Topliner platform. Delivered as a standalone research and benchmarking engagement for European technology companies and investors.
- Strategic Partnership Embedded talent acquisition partnership in which The Big Search consultants work as integrated team members within a client's talent function to deliver ongoing leadership hiring, typically for VC- or PE-backed technology companies needing sustained senior recruiting capacity.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,000+ successful executive placements across Europe
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use The Big Search
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Big Search technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature2 records
The Big Search partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NaviscoreNavis is a daughter talent intelligence company of The Big Search (TBS), founded by TBS CEO Learco Finck. It powers The Big Search's research core with AI-driven talent intelligence capabilities. Navis is used as a core technology differentiator for candidate identification and market mapping across European technology leadership talent pools.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
The Big Search competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Erevena: European executive search boutique focused on technology, digital, and consumer leadership. Directly comparable in European mid-market executive search, vertical specialization, and PE/VC-backed client base.
- Riviera Partners: Executive search firm specializing in technology leadership placements, particularly for venture-backed and PE-backed technology companies. Comparable in tech-only focus, growth-stage client base, and emphasis on product and engineering leadership roles.
- Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with deep European footprint and dedicated technology, private equity, and consumer practices. Closely comparable in pan-European coverage, vertical specialization, and serving PE-backed growth-stage clients.
- True Search: Executive search firm specializing in technology and digital leadership placements. Directly comparable in tech vertical focus, PE-backed client base, and the use of proprietary research tools to power executive searches.
- i-potentials: European executive search firm focused on digital, technology, and e-commerce leadership. Direct comparable in tech vertical focus and pan-European mid-market executive search. Ilya Grigorev (TBS SaaS Practice Head) was previously Senior Consultant at i-potentials.
Broad incumbents
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Competes for European tech CEO and board mandates, with strong reputation for senior-level placements across technology and consumer sectors.
- Korn Ferry: Global executive search and organizational consulting giant. Directly competes for C-suite and technology leadership mandates across Europe, though operates as a broad-based generalist rather than tech-specialist. Sahar Powell (Consumer Practice Head at TBS) was previously Senior Associate at Korn Ferry.
- Spencer Stuart: Global executive search leader with a particularly strong technology, media, and telecommunications practice. Competes for European tech C-suite and board mandates, serving a similar client base of growth-stage and PE-backed companies.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with dedicated technology, private equity, and consumer practices. Direct competitor for European tech executive placements and PE portfolio company leadership mandates.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with strong technology and CEO practice. Directly competes for European tech C-suite searches. Elena Obukhova (DeepTech Practice Head at TBS) was previously Executive Search and Assessment Professional at Russell Reynolds.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Big Search social profiles
Digital presenceThe Big Search financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Big Search leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Big Search funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Big Search M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Big Search
What does The Big Search do?
The Big Search is a retained executive search firm that places Director to C-level leaders at European SaaS, Consumer, and DeepTech technology companies. It combines human-led candidate curation with AI-powered research via its proprietary Navis AI and Topliner platforms, and offers complementary Mapping (market/talent intelligence) and Strategic Partnership (embedded talent acquisition) services to investors and growth-stage founders.
Is The Big Search a public or private company?
The Big Search is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Big Search founded?
The Big Search was founded in 2014. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Big Search based?
The Big Search is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does The Big Search make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search Retained Search.
Who are The Big Search's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Erevena, Riviera Partners, Odgers Berndtson, True Search and i-potentials. Broad incumbents are Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles and Russell Reynolds Associates.
Does The Big Search have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Big Search.
What industry is The Big Search in?
The Big Search's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAC, Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO), with a secondary code of BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search. Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.