VDB Executive Search
VDB Executive Search, LLC is a Texas-based executive recruitment firm founded in 2019 that places C-level, VP, and mid-level US-based executives for European start-ups and scale-ups entering or expanding in the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSpring Branch, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What VDB Executive Search does
VDB Executive Search, LLC is a US-based executive recruitment firm founded in 2019 by Florence van den Bergh, a Netherlands-born recruiter with over 20 years of trans-Atlantic business development and executive recruiting experience. The firm provides retained and contingency search services to place US-based executives — spanning C-level, VP, mid-level, and senior sales leadership roles — on behalf of European start-ups and scale-ups, including both companies launching US operations and those already operating in the US market. Active verticals include Packaging, Material Handling, Food/FMCG, Machinery/Manufacturing, Renewable Energy Solutions, Robotics, Hospitality, and Software/SaaS, with the founder's value proposition centered on bridging cultural and business practice gaps between European and US contexts.
The business is a pure professional services firm with no proprietary technology stack, software platform, or AI-driven tooling; revenue is generated through search fees on each successful placement, with a 2-4 month replacement guarantee and an 8-12 week recruitment cycle from intake to start date. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but follows standard executive search fee structures (retained or contingency). The go-to-market is direct sales-led, relying on the founder's personal network, the vdbsearch.com website, and professional referrals; there are no documented partnerships, distribution alliances, or institutional investors. The company is bootstrapped and founder-owned under a Texas LLC structure, with headquarters in Spring Branch, Texas.
The team consists of three people — founder Florence van den Bergh, Lori Jacobi (joined March 2021, B.A. from Texas Christian University, 8+ years in executive search), and William "Bo" Vastine (background spanning start-up technology, manufacturing, medical technology, financial services, and intellectual property) — with no other disclosed operational footprint, regional offices, or subsidiary entities. The firm claims an extensive nationwide US network and high placement rates relative to industry peers, though no customer logos, completed placement counts, or revenue figures are publicly disclosed. There are no certifications, patents, regulatory actions, M&A activity, or funding events in the public record, making the firm effectively a single-revenue-line, owner-operated professional services practice.
VDB Executive Search firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VDB Executive Search
- Legal name
- VDB Executive Search, LLC
- Website
- https://vdbsearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- VDB Executive Search, LLC is a Texas-based executive recruitment firm founded in 2019 that places C-level, VP, and mid-level US-based executives for European start-ups and scale-ups entering or expanding in the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VDB Executive Search industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)
Keywords
Where VDB Executive Search is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Spring Branch
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
VDB Executive Search business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Executive Search Services: Retained or contingency-based executive search fees for placing executives in US positions. Recruitment process takes 8-12 weeks from intake to start date. Company offers 2-4 months guarantee on placements.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
VDB Executive Search product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VDB Executive Search provides retained and contingency executive recruiting services, placing U.S.-based senior leaders and functional specialists into European-headquartered companies. Engagements cover roles across finance, marketing, IT, operations, and other business functions, with an emphasis on cross-border cultural alignment between European clients and American candidates. The firm operates as a boutique practice led by a Netherlands-born founder leveraging a transatlantic executive network.
Product overview
VDB Executive Search is an executive search firm offering a single core service: recruitment and placement of executive talent for European companies seeking to hire U.S. talent. The firm operates across multiple industries including Packaging, Material Handling, Food/FMCG, Machinery/Manufacturing, Renewable Energy Solutions, Robotics, Hospitality, and Software/SaaS Platform. They place candidates in positions ranging from C-level executives and VPs to mid-level executives, sales professionals, and other professional roles. The service includes a 2 to 4 month guarantee on placements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Retained Executive Search
- Contingency Executive Search
Quantifiable outcome
- 8-12 week recruitment process from intake to start date
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use VDB Executive Search
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
VDB Executive Search technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
VDB Executive Search partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
VDB Executive Search competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: The largest global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search practice spanning all senior levels and industries. Overlaps with VDB's executive and functional leadership placements at the high end.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong cross-border practice across executive and functional leadership roles. Competes for the same senior-level transatlantic search engagements that VDB pursues.
- Robert Half: Large publicly-traded staffing and talent solutions firm with a dedicated executive search division (Protiviti/RHI). While broader and more generalist than VDB, overlaps in senior-level placements especially in operational and financial roles.
- Egon Zehnder: Privately-held global executive search firm known for senior leadership and board placements across industries and geographies, with strong European roots. Comparable to VDB in executive and functional search, but with vastly broader resources and network.
- Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest executive search firms with global C-suite and board practice across all industries. Directly comparable to VDB's C-suite/VP placement model, but operates at massive scale with cross-border capability that competes for the same European-to-U.S. mandates.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on C-suite, board, and senior leadership placements across multiple sectors. Direct competitor in cross-border leadership search, particularly for European and U.S. mandates.
Emerging players
- True Search: Executive search firm specializing in technology, digital, and venture-backed company placements, with cross-border capability. Comparable emerging competitor in the executive search space serving growth-stage companies, including transatlantic mandates.
Direct peers
- Stanton Chase: Global mid-tier executive search firm with offices across continents, focused on board, CEO, and senior management search. Comparable in scale and international cross-border search focus to VDB.
- Boyden: Mid-sized global executive search firm with offices in the U.S., Europe, and other regions, focused on senior leadership placements across industries. Most comparable in scale, cross-border positioning, and boutique-style engagement model to VDB.
- Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong transatlantic capability, serving European and U.S. clients with C-suite and functional leadership placements. Closely comparable in cross-border European-to-U.S. niche and boutique positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VDB Executive Search social profiles
Digital presenceVDB Executive Search financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VDB Executive Search leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
VDB Executive Search funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VDB Executive Search 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 VDB Executive Search
What does VDB Executive Search do?
VDB Executive Search provides retained and contingency executive recruiting services, placing U.S.-based senior leaders and functional specialists into European-headquartered companies. Engagements cover roles across finance, marketing, IT, operations, and other business functions, with an emphasis on cross-border cultural alignment between European clients and American candidates. The firm operates as a boutique practice led by a Netherlands-born founder leveraging a transatlantic executive network.
Is VDB Executive Search a public or private company?
VDB Executive Search is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was VDB Executive Search founded?
VDB Executive Search was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is VDB Executive Search based?
VDB Executive Search is headquartered in Spring Branch, United States, in the North America region.
How does VDB Executive Search make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search Services.
Who are VDB Executive Search's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, Robert Half, Egon Zehnder, Spencer Stuart and Russell Reynolds Associates. True Search is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Stanton Chase, Boyden and Odgers Berndtson.
Does VDB Executive Search have an API?
No public API is recorded for VDB Executive Search.
What industry is VDB Executive Search in?
VDB Executive Search's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search, with a secondary code of BPACAAAB, Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops). Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 7361.