680 Partners
680 Partners is a boutique retained executive search firm founded in 1999 that places C-suite and senior executives into venture- and PE-backed technology, software, internet, and e-commerce companies through long-term partnerships with top VC, PE, and hedge fund managers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 680 Partners does
680 Partners, LLC is a boutique retained executive search firm founded in 1999 by Ross Freeman and headquartered in New York. The firm places C-suite and senior executives (CEO, COO, CFO, CTO/CIO, CRO, CMO, VP Sales, VP Marketing) into venture- and PE-backed technology, software, internet, and e-commerce companies, working primarily through long-term partnerships with VC, PE, LBO, and hedge fund managers. The firm deliberately accepts a limited number of search engagements per year to preserve a high-touch delivery model.
The firm's underlying methodology combines traditional retained-search process (candidate identification, in-depth interviewing, reference checks, onboarding logistics) with an AI-augmented assessment layer. This includes generative AI analysis of candidate interview transcripts, Bayesian goodness-of-fit modeling that scores candidate-organization alignment against anchor profiles of sitting CEOs and leadership teams, and proprietary linguistic and semantic signal extraction tuned to executive competencies. The supporting technology backbone is a proprietary candidate-identification software system and an executive database built and refined over more than 20 years of operating history.
Revenue is generated primarily through retained search fees on exclusive engagements, with a secondary stream from the 680 Partners Co-investment Fund, which enables equity-for-services arrangements, direct investment in client ventures, and liquidity solutions for employees of venture-backed companies exercising stock options. Distribution is entirely relationship-driven: direct enterprise engagement with VC and PE funds and their portfolio companies, supplemented by thought-leadership content and earned media (notably the Hunt Scanlon Media Top 20 Talent Management Firm in Cybersecurity recognition). The firm has placed executives at companies including Shutterstock, Microsoft, Linkshare, Medidata, HelloFresh, The Trade Desk, and Integral Ad Science, and its named client base spans 100+ venture- and growth-stage technology companies.
680 Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 680 Partners
- Legal name
- 680 Partners LLC
- Website
- https://680partners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- 680 Partners is a boutique retained executive search firm founded in 1999 that places C-suite and senior executives into venture- and PE-backed technology, software, internet, and e-commerce companies through long-term partnerships with top VC, PE, and hedge fund managers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
680 Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strategic Partnerships, Alliances & JVs Advisory (BPAHADAI)
Keywords
Where 680 Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
680 Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retained Executive Search Services: 680 Partners operates as a retained executive search firm, placing senior executives (CEO, COO, CFO, CTO, VP level) at technology, software, internet, and e-commerce companies. The firm accepts a limited number of assignments annually, working on exclusive retained engagements. Revenue is generated through professional search fees, typically on a retained basis with engagement fees and success fees upon placement completion.
- Co-Investment Fund: The 680 Partners Co-investment Fund enables direct investments in client ventures, equity for services rendered, and liquidity solutions for departing employees of venture-backed companies exercising stock options. This represents a secondary revenue stream through equity participation and service-for-equity arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Retained Executive Search - Boutique Service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
680 Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
680 Partners is a boutique retained executive search firm that places senior executives—including CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CTOs/CIOs, and VPs of Sales and Marketing—at technology, software, SaaS, internet, e-commerce, and cybersecurity companies. Engagements are run on a selective, high-touch basis, augmented by a proprietary AI-driven interview analysis methodology and a two-decade executive database, with a Co-investment Fund that also enables equity-for-services and employee liquidity solutions.
Product overview
680 Partners is a high-touch boutique retained executive search firm offering a unified service centered on executive recruiting and placement. The core offering is Executive Search and Recruiting Services, complemented by AI-powered Interview Analysis capabilities that leverage generative AI, proprietary prompting frameworks, and Bayesian goodness-of-fit modeling to enhance candidate evaluation. The firm also offers a Co-investment Fund for direct investments, equity-for-services arrangements, and employee stock option liquidity solutions. The AI modules work synergistically with the core search service to reduce interview bias and improve predictive hiring accuracy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 680 Partners Co-investment Fund: A fund that makes direct investments, provides equity for services rendered, and helps departing employees find liquidity for stock options.
Products and services
- Executive Search and Recruiting Services High-touch, retained executive search placing senior leaders (CEO, COO, CFO, CRO, CMO, CTO/CIO, VP Sales, VP Marketing) for venture capital and private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as directly for technology, software, SaaS, internet, e-commerce, retail, and cybersecurity companies.
- 680 Partners Co-investment Fund Investment vehicle enabling direct equity participation in client ventures, equity compensation in lieu of cash fees, and liquidity support for employees exercising stock options at venture-backed portfolio companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of senior management teams placed since 1999 with consistently outstanding shareholder returns
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use 680 Partners
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
680 Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
680 Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- 680 Partners Co-investment FundcoreThe 680 Partners Co-investment Fund enables the firm to invest directly in client ventures, accept equity for services rendered, and help departing employees of venture-backed companies find liquidity for stock options. This fund represents a strategic initiative to build mutually-beneficial partnerships that enhance employee loyalty and preserve upside potential for all parties involved.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
680 Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Riviera Partners: Tech-focused boutique retained executive search firm placing C-suite executives at VC-backed software, SaaS, and internet companies. Directly comparable in business model (retained, boutique, tech-vertical) and client base (VC portfolio companies) to 680 Partners.
- True Search: Boutique executive search firm focused on venture-backed technology companies, with deep VC relationships and C-suite placements. Closely mirrors 680 Partners' tech/VC niche focus and boutique retained model.
- IQ-Talent Partners: Boutique tech-focused executive search firm serving VC-backed and growth-stage software companies. Comparable in niche focus, boutique scale, and VC-aligned client base to 680 Partners.
- Howard Fischer Associates: Boutique retained executive search firm with technology practice serving venture-backed and growth-stage companies in Silicon Valley. Comparable boutique scale and tech/VC positioning to 680 Partners.
Broad incumbents
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search leader with a dedicated technology practice serving VC and PE-backed companies. While much larger and broader, it competes for the same C-suite tech mandates, especially at later-stage portfolio companies.
- Spencer Stuart: Premier global executive search firm with a strong technology, media, and telecommunications practice. Competes for senior tech executive mandates with the resources and global reach that boutique firms like 680 Partners cannot match.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with significant technology practice serving software and internet companies. Provides overlapping C-suite search services alongside broader leadership advisory capabilities.
- Korn Ferry: Largest global organizational consulting firm with a substantial executive search business serving technology and digital clients. Competes for senior-level tech placements with much broader service portfolio.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with a technology practice serving software, SaaS, and digital media companies. Overlaps directly with 680 Partners in placing senior tech executives at growth-stage companies.
- Odgers Berndtson: Mid-sized international executive search firm with technology and private equity practices. Larger than 680 Partners but operates in overlapping C-suite tech mandate territory, particularly with PE-backed companies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
680 Partners social profiles
Digital presence680 Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
680 Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
680 Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
680 Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 680 Partners
What does 680 Partners do?
680 Partners is a boutique retained executive search firm that places senior executives—including CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CTOs/CIOs, and VPs of Sales and Marketing—at technology, software, SaaS, internet, e-commerce, and cybersecurity companies. Engagements are run on a selective, high-touch basis, augmented by a proprietary AI-driven interview analysis methodology and a two-decade executive database, with a Co-investment Fund that also enables equity-for-services and employee liquidity solutions.
Is 680 Partners a public or private company?
680 Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 680 Partners founded?
680 Partners was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is 680 Partners based?
680 Partners is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does 680 Partners make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retained Executive Search Services are the primary driver. The others are co-Investment Fund.
Who are 680 Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Riviera Partners, True Search, IQ-Talent Partners and Howard Fischer Associates. Broad incumbents are Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds Associates and Odgers Berndtson.
Does 680 Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for 680 Partners.
What industry is 680 Partners in?
680 Partners's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAI, Strategic Partnerships, Alliances & JVs Advisory.