IQ Clarity

What IQ Clarity does

IQ Clarity is a privately held, founder-owned technology and creative recruiting firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in Golden, Colorado. The company provides talent acquisition services spanning contract staffing, contract-to-fulltime conversion, direct-hire placements, and consulting engagements, with specialization in four primary domains: technology (software engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, Web3), AI and data-driven organizations (AI/ML engineers and data professionals), product companies (product management, design, and product leadership), and marketing and creative teams. Core service offerings are organized into four integrated lines — Consulting, Direct Hire Recruiting, Sourcing and Talent Acquisition Partnership, and Service Provider Referrals — supplemented by thought-leadership content including the annual Technology Hiring Forecast and a free How to Hire an AI Engineer guide.

The firm does not develop proprietary software or AI/ML technology; its core capability is talent sourcing, vetting, and matching for hard-to-fill technology and creative roles. Operations span three major U.S. metros — Denver (headquarters market), Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth — chosen for their high demand in AI, semiconductors, software engineering, and cybersecurity hiring. The team is relationship-driven, with senior recruiters bringing 10-15+ years of staffing industry experience, and the firm claims to have helped thousands of candidates advance their careers in technology and creative roles.

Revenue is generated transactionally through recruiting and placement fees, typically structured at approximately 20% of a placed candidate's first-year salary for direct-hire engagements, with separate pricing for contract and consulting engagements. IQ Clarity sells exclusively through a direct sales model, with account management engaging hiring managers, HR teams, and talent acquisition leaders at SMB and mid-market employer clients. Distribution is supported by a content marketing engine — monthly regional tech hiring reports, an annual Technology Hiring Forecast, and gated guides — plus LinkedIn and Facebook presence. The company remains bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding and is led by Founder and Managing Director Ted Hellmuth.

Name

IQ Clarity

Legal name

IQ Clarity LLC

Website

https://iqclarity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IQ Clarity is a privately held technology and creative recruiting firm founded in 2016 in Golden, Colorado. It provides consulting, direct-hire, contract, and talent acquisition partnership services for tech, AI, product, and marketing roles across Denver, Austin, and Dallas markets, serving SMB and mid-market employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Golden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Recruiting and Placement Fees: IQ Clarity earns revenue through staffing and recruiting fees charged to employer clients. Fees are typically structured as a percentage of the placed candidate's first-year salary. The company notes that average recruiting fees are approximately 20% of a candidate's first-year salary. The firm offers multiple engagement models including contract staffing, contract-to-fulltime, direct-hire, and consulting initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IQ Clarity is a technology and creative recruiting firm that connects companies with exceptional talent through four integrated services: Consulting, Direct Hire Recruiting, Sourcing and Talent Acquisition Partnership, and Service Provider Referrals. The firm fills contract, contract-to-fulltime, direct-hire, and consulting roles for technology, AI, product, and creative positions, charging recruiting fees averaging approximately 20% of a placed candidate's first-year salary. Operations are centered in Denver, Austin, and Dallas.

Product overview

IQ Clarity is a technology and creative recruiting firm offering a unified suite of talent acquisition services. The core portfolio consists of four integrated service offerings: Consulting, Direct Hire Recruiting, Sourcing and Talent Acquisition Partnership, and Service Provider Referrals. These services are designed to support contract, contract-to-fulltime, direct-hire, and consulting initiatives. The company also provides supplementary resources including the Technology Hiring Forecast research report and the How to Hire An AI Engineer guide, which complement the core recruiting services. The company operates with operations in Denver (headquarters), Dallas, and Austin markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consulting Talent acquisition consulting services that help companies solve complex technology and talent challenges. Aimed at employer clients needing expert guidance on their hiring initiatives.
• Direct Hire Recruiting Permanent placement recruiting services that connect companies with full-time talent for direct-hire initiatives. Pricing is structured around a percentage of the placed candidate's first-year salary.
• Sourcing and Talent Acquisition Partnership Strategic partnership model that provides ongoing talent sourcing and acquisition support for clients with recurring hiring needs across contract, contract-to-fulltime, direct-hire, and consulting engagements.
• Service Provider Referrals Referral services connecting clients with qualified service providers for project work and consulting engagements beyond traditional placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Replacement cost for a technical employee ranges from 100% to 150% of annual salary (up to 200% for executive roles), underscoring the value of efficient recruiting partnerships

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IQClarity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iq-clarity-llc
• Xx.com/IQClarity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IQ Clarity