Sonnar
Sonnar is a Paris-based executive search firm founded in 2021 that recruits C-level and senior strategic leaders for venture capital- and private equity-backed companies across Europe and the United States, completing 200+ engagements with a 95% client return rate.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sonnar does
Sonnar is a Paris-headquartered executive search firm founded in 2021 that places C-level and senior strategic leaders for venture capital- and private equity-backed companies across Europe and the United States. The firm's core product is a retained executive search service delivered through a team of former strategy consultants, venture capital investors, and operators, supported by a proprietary database of more than 10,000 executive profiles and a codified methodology branded as "La Méthode pour recruter les meilleurs." Sonnar reports typical search completion within 8-12 weeks, 200+ completed missions over four years, a 95% client return rate, and a 92% trial-period validation rate among placed candidates. Verticals served include climate tech, EV charging, fintech, and other technology-enabled growth businesses, with roughly one-third of engagements now conducted outside France.
The firm operates a retained-search business model, earning fees per completed C-level engagement, and goes to market primarily through referral relationships with major European and US venture and growth investors including Accel, Sequoia, Northzone, and Eurazeo. Distribution is augmented by the Sonnar Podcast and published methodology content as brand-building channels aimed at founder and investor audiences. Sonnar's footprint spans France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States, with a team of over 15 members supporting cross-border mandates. There is no disclosed AI-native product layer; sourcing and matching rely on the internal executive database and consultant-led process rather than on disclosed machine learning systems.
Sonnar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sonnar
- Legal name
- SAS Sonnar
- Website
- https://sonnar.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sonnar is a Paris-based executive search firm founded in 2021 that recruits C-level and senior strategic leaders for venture capital- and private equity-backed companies across Europe and the United States, completing 200+ engagements with a 95% client return rate.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Sonnar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sonnar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Retained executive search services for C-level and strategic leadership positions for investor-backed companies. The firm recruits for roles including CEO, CFO, COO, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP People, and various other executive positions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Sonnar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sonnar is a Paris-based executive search firm that recruits C-level and strategic leadership talent (CEO, CFO, COO, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP People, and other executives) for investor-backed companies across Europe and the US. The firm delivers end-to-end retained search services using a structured 5-step methodology, supported by a database of 10,000+ executive profiles, structured evaluation scorecards, and onboarding support through the trial period. The firm also serves VC and PE funds by placing investor and partner-level professionals.
Product overview
Sonnar is an executive search firm specializing in leadership recruitment for investor-backed companies across Europe and the US. The firm offers a structured, methodology-driven recruitment approach delivered by former strategy consultants, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and top executives. Their core service is executive search for C-suite and strategic leadership positions, supplemented by proprietary content through the Sonnar Podcast featuring interviews with founders and business leaders, and 'La Méthode pour recruter les meilleurs' — a strategic hiring guide authored by co-founder Antoine Freysz. Sonnar operates a team-based model where consultants handle the full recruitment lifecycle from sourcing to onboarding, supported by a database of over 10,000 top executive profiles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Executive Search Services End-to-end retained executive search services for C-level and strategic leadership roles (CEO, CFO, COO, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP People, Chief of Staff) for VC-backed, PE-backed, and investment fund clients across Europe and the US. Delivered through a structured 5-step methodology: Kick-off, Sourcing, Evaluation, Closing, and Onboarding support.
- La Méthode pour recruter les meilleurs Proprietary structured recruitment guide that codifies Sonnar's executive search methodology, including best practices for sourcing, evaluating, and hiring top-tier talent. Authored by co-founder Antoine Freysz and applied across all Sonnar client engagements.
- Sonnar Podcast Podcast series featuring interviews with founders and business leaders covering hiring strategies, team building, organizational growth, and leadership topics, distributed on Ausha, Spotify, and YouTube to support Sonnar's thought leadership and inbound lead generation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of clients recruit again their next strategic roles with Sonnar
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sonnar
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sonnar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Sonnar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sonnar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search leader with a broad C-suite and board practice. Highly comparable as a direct competitor for executive mandates, including through its acquisition of True Search which specifically targets VC-backed companies.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the largest global executive search firms with deep C-suite and board relationships. Competes with Sonnar on senior executive mandates for large and growth-stage companies across Europe and the US.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on senior leadership across industries, including a strong technology practice. Comparable to Sonnar in delivering C-suite and board searches, particularly for growth-stage and large enterprises.
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a large executive search practice alongside talent management and RPO. Competes with Sonnar on executive search mandates and has broader service offerings.
- Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with strong presence in the UK and Europe. Comparable to Sonnar on cross-border European mandates for C-suite and board roles, but with a broader industry footprint and longer-established brand.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Comparable to Sonnar in delivering C-level searches and board advisory, but with a much wider geographic and functional footprint.
Direct peers
- Wenham Carter: European tech executive search firm placing senior leaders at VC-backed and growth-stage technology companies. Comparable to Sonnar in its European base, tech/startup focus, and senior leadership mandates.
- Stott and May: Boutique executive search firm focused on technology and digital leadership, placing senior executives at high-growth companies. Closely comparable to Sonnar in serving tech-forward, often VC-backed clients with specialized search teams.
- True Search: Executive search firm dedicated to VC-backed and PE-backed companies, with particular strength in placing C-level and VP talent at venture-funded startups. Now part of Heidrick & Struggles but still operates as a dedicated brand, making it the closest direct analogue to Sonnar's positioning.
- Riviera Partners: US-based executive search firm focused on technology and VC-backed companies, placing C-level, VP, and senior engineering/product leaders. Closely comparable to Sonnar in serving venture-funded growth companies with methodology-driven search.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sonnar social profiles
Digital presenceSonnar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sonnar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Sonnar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sonnar 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 Sonnar
What does Sonnar do?
Sonnar is a Paris-based executive search firm that recruits C-level and strategic leadership talent (CEO, CFO, COO, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP People, and other executives) for investor-backed companies across Europe and the US. The firm delivers end-to-end retained search services using a structured 5-step methodology, supported by a database of 10,000+ executive profiles, structured evaluation scorecards, and onboarding support through the trial period. The firm also serves VC and PE funds by placing investor and partner-level professionals.
Is Sonnar a public or private company?
Sonnar is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sonnar founded?
Sonnar was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sonnar based?
Sonnar is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Sonnar make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search Services.
Who are Sonnar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Heidrick & Struggles, Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds Associates, Korn Ferry, Odgers Berndtson and Egon Zehnder. Direct peers are Wenham Carter, Stott and May, True Search and Riviera Partners.
Does Sonnar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sonnar.