Apollo Executive Search

What Apollo Executive Search does

Apollo Executive Search B.V. is a Dutch boutique executive search firm founded in 2016 by former strategy consultants Peter Zeeuw van der Laan (ex-McKinsey, Rocket Internet) and Maarten van der Kwaak (ex-Roland Berger). The firm provides retained executive search services for C-level (CEO, CFO, COO, CCO, CTO), senior strategy, and non-executive board placements, serving mid-market private equity portfolio companies, PE funds, and VC-backed or independent technology scale-ups primarily in the Netherlands. Its core 'technology' is a proprietary sourcing methodology and candidate pipeline built on the consultants' personal networks, their backgrounds at top-tier strategy firms (McKinsey, Roland Berger, LEK, EY), and the legacy ConsultancyExit.com members-only platform that connected ex-strategy consultants with PE and scale-up clients.

Apollo operates a direct, partner-led distribution model with no resellers or self-serve channels for clients; candidates access open mandates through the separate apolloexecutives.com portal. The firm runs a structured, predictive search process including a 'job sampling' / two-way due-diligence step in which finalists present strategic plans to clients. Revenue is generated entirely from retained search fees negotiated per engagement (typical of the boutique executive search industry); no pricing is publicly disclosed and the firm is privately held with no external funding rounds on record. Since 2023, Apollo has operated as part of Capenti, a multi-brand group that combines executive search (Schelstraete Delacourt, Apollo) with interim management (HR One Group, Minds&More). The firm reports 100+ cumulative clients and 200+ completed mandates since inception.

Name

Apollo Executive Search

Legal name

Apollo Executive Search B.V.

Website

https://apolloexecutivesearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Apollo Executive Search is a Dutch boutique executive search firm founded in 2016 that provides retained C-level and board-level placements for mid-market private equity portfolio companies and VC-backed technology scale-ups in the Netherlands, operating under the Capenti group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF), Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained search firm
• C-suite recruitment
• Leadership advisory
• Private equity talent

Headquarters

HQ city

Aerdenhout

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search / Retained Search Fees: Apollo charges retained search fees for C-level and board-level executive placements, typical of the executive search industry. Fees are generally structured as a success-based retainer (upfront engagement fee plus completion fee upon placement). No pricing is publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Apollo Executive Search is a boutique retained executive search firm that recruits C-level executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CCO, CTO), strategic leaders, and non-executive board members for mid-market private equity portfolio companies, VC-backed technology scale-ups, and independent growth companies in the Dutch market. The firm delivers its service through a structured methodology combining deep personal networks of strategy consulting alumni with market research and a proprietary "job sampling" two-way due diligence process.

Product overview

Apollo Executive Search operates as a single integrated executive search and leadership advisory service, not a software platform. The core offering consists of executive search services for C-level, strategic, and board positions, delivered through a structured process combining market research, personal networks, and predictive tooling. Supporting this are a candidate management platform (apolloexecutives.com) for vacancy applications and profile management, and ConsultancyExit.com, the original members-only platform that launched the business in 2016 connecting PE funds and scale-ups with strategy consulting talent. The company is part of Capenti, a combined executive search and interim management group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apollo Executive Search Services Boutique retained executive search and leadership advisory service for C-level positions (CEO, CFO, COO, CCO, CTO), strategic roles, and non-executive board placements, serving private equity portfolio companies and technology scale-ups in the Dutch market.
• Apollo Candidate Platform (apolloexecutives.com) Online candidate dashboard and vacancy portal where candidates can create accounts, manage profiles, view open executive positions, and apply for roles.

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CapenticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApollo Executive Search is part of Capenti, which combines executive search and interim management expertise via Schelstraete Delacourt, Apollo Executive Search, HR One Group, and Minds&More. Capenti represents a convergence of permanent and interim executive placement under one umbrella group.
• Schelstraete DelacourtminorOthersPart of the Capenti group alongside Apollo. Schelstraete Delacourt focuses on executive search within the Capenti structure.
• HR One GroupminorOthersPart of the Capenti group; active in both executive search and interim management with a focus on the life sciences sector.
• Minds&MoreminorOthersPart of the Capenti group; operates in the interim management space where speed and flexibility are prioritized over long-term strategic placement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm where multiple Apollo partners (Pleun van Engen, Thirza Wolfs, Iris Krijt) previously worked. Directly comparable in C-suite, board, and CEO-level search with similar methodology and PE/tech client focus.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm where Apollo Partner Thirza Wolfs spent 15+ years. Directly competes in C-suite and board-level mandates for PE-backed and corporate clients across similar industries.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search firm where Apollo Consultant Roemer Koudstaal started his career. Comparable in leadership advisory, C-suite search, and board effectiveness work for PE and large-cap clients.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with strong PE practice and CEO/board placement capabilities. Directly competes with Apollo for C-suite and functional leadership searches serving PE portfolio companies.
• Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong PE-related practice; Apollo Consultant Thomas Oosterling previously worked there as Research Consultant and AI Specialist. Comparable in PE portfolio company executive search and Dutch/Northern European market focus.
• DHR Global: Global executive search firm where Apollo Consultant Roemer Koudstaal served as Principal Consultant and Director Research EMEA. Directly comparable in advanced technology, software, industrial, and PE-sector senior appointments.
• Schelstraete Delacourt: Dutch executive search firm that is part of the Capenti group alongside Apollo. Most direct domestic peer, sharing the same parent, overlapping PE/VC client base, and similar boutique Dutch-market positioning.
• Ebbinge: Dutch executive search boutique where Apollo Senior Consultant Jacqueline Veldkamp led the research team. Comparable as a domestic Netherlands-focused executive search firm serving PE and corporate clients.
• HR One Group: Sister company within the Capenti group, focused on executive search and interim management in life sciences. Comparable business model and shared group structure, giving direct insight into Apollo's adjacent service offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Large global executive search and organizational consulting firm. Overlaps with Apollo on C-suite and board mandates but operates as a much broader portfolio including RPO, assessment, and consulting services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apolloexecutivesearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Apollo Executive Search