Laurel

What Laurel does

The Laurel Group is a privately held executive search firm founded in 2002 and headquartered in the Seattle area, with an additional presence in Silicon Valley. The firm specializes in placing C-suite and VP-level executives (CEO, CFO, CMO, CTO, CPO, VP of Engineering, VP of Sales, VP of Marketing, VP of Product, VP of Customer Success) at technology-focused companies across enterprise software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data and analytics, IoT, robotics, eCommerce, and related verticals. Service delivery is partner-led and partner-only: three partners—Tom Taft (Founder and Managing Partner), Mike Taft, and Chris Berta—each with 20+ years of experience, personally conduct every search with no associates or management layers in between.\n\nThe firm operates on a sales-led, consulting-engagement model. Each partner works directly with clients from scoping through placement, conducting deep intake on culture, team capabilities, and role requirements before sourcing and vetting candidates. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but follows the standard executive search structure of contingency or retained fees as a percentage of placed executive compensation. The firm claims 500+ successful placements and a 100% placement success rate. Named client logos span AWS, Tango Card, iSpot.tv, Uptiv Health, Kymeta, Airbiquity, Sarcos, Identity Digital, and Scratch Foundation, indicating a diverse client base across multiple verticals and stages.\n\nThe firm's go-to-market is relationship-driven, built on 20+ years of accumulated passive-candidate networks and direct outreach. Service coverage is described as coast-to-coast across the US, with active markets in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Austin, Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland. The firm also operates the Executive Council, a joint initiative with People Tech Group that functions as a recurring executive networking and thought-leadership forum across multiple industry verticals. The Laurel Group has no external investment, no parent company, and no subsidiaries; ownership is concentrated among the three partners. No proprietary technology, software platform, or AI/ML capability is part of the product offering.

Name

Laurel

Legal name

The Laurel Group

Website

https://laurel-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Laurel Group is a Seattle-based executive search firm founded in 2002 that places C-suite and VP-level executives for technology-focused companies across the US. Three partners with 20+ years of experience each personally manage every search, supported by an Executive Council partnership with People Tech 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

Technology & Product Leadership Search (CIO/CTO/CDO/CPO) (BPACAAAC), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• C-suite recruitment
• Technology executive hiring
• Talent acquisition
• Leadership placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Search/Recruitment Services: Contingency-based or retained executive search fees, typically charging a percentage of the placed executive's compensation. Services include sourcing, vetting, and placing candidates for technology-focused companies at senior levels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Laurel Group is an executive search firm that sources, vets, and places senior executives—including CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, CIOs, CTOs, CPOs, VPs, and Board-level candidates—for technology-focused companies across the United States. Engagements are delivered directly by three senior partners (each with 20+ years of experience) through a consultative process covering role definition, candidate sourcing, vetting, interview design, and post-placement follow-up. The firm exclusively serves technology verticals such as enterprise software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, IoT, eCommerce, robotics, and healthcare technology.

Product overview

The Laurel Group is an executive search firm that provides recruitment services for technology-focused companies. The company offers a single service: executive search and placement, specializing in placing C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, CMO, CIO, CTO, CPO), VPs (VP of Engineering, VP of Sales, VP of Marketing, VP of Product, VP of Customer Success), and board-level positions. The firm operates coast-to-coast with offices in Seattle, Silicon Valley, and the Pacific Northwest, serving clients throughout the U.S. Their service is delivered through a personalized, consultative approach where partners work directly with clients from start to finish. The company also offers an Executive Council initiative—a joint networking program with People Tech Group that enables senior executives to network, strategize, and develop execution plans. They have also published industry whitepapers on hybrid work environments and technology's impact on recruiting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Services Partner-led executive search and placement services for technology-focused companies, covering sourcing, vetting, and placement of C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, CMO, CIO, CTO, CPO), VP-level leaders (VP Engineering, VP Sales, VP Marketing, VP Product, VP Customer Success), and Board-level positions across enterprise software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, IoT, eCommerce, robotics, and healthcare technology industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ successful searches completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• People Tech GroupnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with People Tech Group to create the Executive Council - a forum for senior industry executives to network, strategize on industry trends, and develop execution strategies in a collaborative format. Covers multiple industry verticals including Telecom, Automotive, Hi-Tech, Healthcare, and Insurance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Crist Kolder Associates: Boutique executive search firm focused on technology and tech-adjacent C-suite placements (CEO, CFO, CRO). Directly comparable to Laurel given the shared focus on senior leadership searches for venture-backed and enterprise technology companies.
• True Search: Tech-focused executive search boutique specializing in placing senior leaders at SaaS, AI, and growth-stage technology companies. Closely comparable to Laurel because both serve similar tech-driven clients at the VP and C-suite level with a boutique, partner-led delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with a dedicated Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice. Directly comparable to Laurel as a competitor for C-suite and VP-level placements at enterprise technology companies.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm with a long-standing technology practice serving board, CEO, and senior executive searches. Comparable to Laurel as a top-tier competitor for retained tech leadership engagements, particularly at the C-suite and board levels where both firms specialize.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm where Laurel's founder previously established the Seattle office and served in the International Technology Practice. Directly comparable because they compete for the same C-suite and board-level tech mandates Laurel targets, with much broader geographic and functional coverage.
• DHR International: Global executive search firm with a dedicated technology practice serving software, cloud, and digital transformation clients. Comparable to Laurel as a competitor for retained senior technology executive mandates.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm where Laurel partner Mike Taft previously worked in the San Francisco office. Comparable because Odgers competes for senior technology and product leadership searches with an international footprint that Laurel lacks.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with deep tech and digital practice. Comparable to Laurel as a premium competitor for senior technology leadership searches, especially at the CEO and board level.
• Korn Ferry: Largest global executive search and organizational consulting firm with a significant technology practice. Comparable to Laurel as a competitor for senior tech executive placements, though broader in scope across industries and functions.

Emerging players

• Heidrick & Struggles — Technology Practice (subset view): Not applicable — included only as overlap context. Replaced by a more focused comparable: technology-specialist boutique search firms (e.g., True Search, Crist Kolder) represent the closest like-for-like comps; broader incumbents are listed above.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laurel-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Laurel