Chicago’s startup scene is thriving, with over 6,000 tech startups and 12 companies achieving unicorn status in the past few years. But with growth comes challenges—especially when it comes to finding the right talent. The sheer volume of applicants can make it difficult to separate the exceptional from the average, leading to lost time and costly hiring mistakes.
At Avenue Talent Partners (ATP), we’re much more than the average executive search firm in Chicago. We’re the partner that “gets it” and guides you through the complexities of hiring, especially when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. Chicago may be buzzing with thousands of startups, but finding the right leadership to drive your vision forward is no small feat. That’s where we come in.
Our approach is different because we understand that executive search isn’t just a transaction—it’s about aligning the right leader with your unique business needs, goals, and culture. We’re not here to hand you a stack of resumes, wish you luck, and hope for the best. We’re here to dive deep, understand your challenges, and deliver a tailored, concierge-level experience that you can count on.
Why Hiring the Right Executives Is Crucial for Your Chicago Startup
Getting your executive hires right is vital to your startup’s success. As Harvard economist Tom Eisenmann found in his research, most investors “favor an able founder over an attractive opportunity.” The same logic applies to hiring: finding the right people for crucial leadership roles is paramount. Yet, despite their many talents, founders often struggle with early-stage recruiting and hiring.
The stakes are high. A misstep in hiring could cost your startup $1-2 million and months of lost runway. In a market like Chicago, where capital efficiency is key, those losses hit harder. That’s where we come in.
What Sets Avenue Talent Partners Apart From Other Executive Search Firms in Chicago?
We’re not the firm for you if you’re just looking for a stack of resumes. We don’t do business as usual. At Avenue Talent Partners, we offer a hands-on, process-driven approach that’s personalized to your needs. From deep discovery to final hire, we’re involved in every step of the process, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.
And when competitors go low to transact, we go high to embrace the power of people and discovery. We’re not just filling a role—we’re finding leaders who will drive your business forward.
As Jeremy Schultz, former CEO of Uberflip (acquired by PathFactory), said, “After months of unsuccessful recruiting efforts from our internal team, ATP delivered three perfectly qualified candidates—all with the type of professionalism and responsiveness you desire from vendor partners but rarely get.”
This is why our average search time is just 90 days, with a 98% interview-to-hire rate.
We’re Not for Everyone, and That’s Okay
We’re not the right fit for everyone, and that’s by design. We work best with founders and CEOs who:
- Treat hiring as a strategic priority.
- Value clear, open communication, even when it’s tough.
- Prioritize people over transactions, knowing that long-term success is built on relationships.
- Consider the short, near, and long-term impacts of their decisions.
- Aren’t afraid to ask for help when it comes to getting hiring right.
If you’re ready to build a leadership team that will drive meaningful results, we’re here to help.
Our Process: Proven, Personal, and Precise
Our secret sauce isn’t really a secret—it’s a combination of deep industry expertise, a methodical approach, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Here’s how we do it:
- Kickoff and Discovery: We start by getting to know you and your team inside and out. This deep dive allows us to engage, attract, and hire the best talent for your startup.
- GTM Strategy: We tell your story like you would—maybe even better. By leveraging our extensive network, we find sales and CS executives who resonate with your brand and are excited about your mission.
- Candidate Curation: Our rigorous screening process ensures that we only present a select few candidates who are truly qualified, so you don’t waste time on the wrong profiles.
- White-Glove Service at Every Step: From real-time updates to weekly strategy sessions, our airtight system keeps you informed and confident throughout the process.
- After-Hire Care: Our support doesn’t end when you make a hire. We’re here for the critical transition period, ensuring your new executive is set up for success from day one.
- We Go High When Others Go Low: In a market filled with transactional approaches, we choose a different path. When competitors go low to transact, we go high to embrace the power of people and discovery. We believe that true recruiting excellence comes from understanding the person behind the resume and discovering how their strengths align with your business goals.
What to Expect from Our Executive Recruiting Process
At Avenue Talent Partners, we tailor our process to each client’s unique needs. Here’s what you can expect:
- No More Flying Blind: We help you make data-driven hiring decisions, minimizing risk and ensuring your top candidates check every box on an unbiased grading system.
- Talent Attractor: We refine your job postings, messaging, and reputation so that the best candidates come to you.
- Cut Through the Clutter: Every candidate we present is fully vetted, saving you time and ensuring the right fit.
Trusted by Top Startups in Chicago
At Avenue Talent Partners, we’re proud to be the trusted partner for some of the most innovative and forward-thinking tech startups. These companies turn to us because they know we’re more than just recruiters—we’re a team dedicated to understanding their unique challenges and helping them build leadership teams that drive success.
These relationships are built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. We’re honored to be part of their growth stories. These founders and CEOs know that when they work with ATP, they’re getting more than just a role filled—they’re getting a partner who’s invested in their success for the long haul.
Roles We Help Chicago Startups Hire
As a founder or CEO, your focus should be on being the expert in your business—not on mastering the complexities of hiring top-tier sales or customer success leadership. That’s where we come in. Avenue Talent Partners is here to help you find the perfect leaders who will not only bring your company’s vision to life but also drive your business to new heights.
Our expertise spans the full spectrum of revenue-driving roles, and we’re there to consult with you every step of the way. We don’t just place candidates; we collaborate with you to navigate the ups and downs of the hiring process, ensuring that every decision is informed and strategic.
We specialize in key roles that drive growth and operational excellence, including:
- Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)
- Chief Customer Officer (CCO)
- Executive Vice President of Sales
- Senior Vice President of Sales
- Vice President of Sales
- Head of Sales
- Executive Vice President of Customer Success
- Senior Vice President of Customer Success
- Vice President of Customer Success
- Head of Customer Success
- Executive Vice President of Revenue Operations (RevOps)
- Executive Vice President of Sales Operations (SalesOps)
- Executive Vice President of Sales Enablement
- Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations
- Senior Vice President of Sales Operations
- Senior Vice President of Sales Enablement
- Vice President of Revenue Operations
- Vice President of Sales Operations
- Vice President of Enablement
- Head of Revenue Operations
- Head of Sales Operations
- Head of Sales Enablement
Other Ways We Can Help Your Startup Grow
When you partner with Avenue Talent Partners, you’re gaining access to more than just executive search services. We consult on closing your hiring gaps. Whether you need to overhaul your current practices or fine-tune specific areas, our white-glove approach and expertise are here to support you.
Here’s how we can support you when hiring an executive GTM leader isn’t on the agenda:
- Hiring Process Diagnostics & Development: We’ll conduct a thorough audit of your existing hiring processes, identifying strengths and weaknesses and providing actionable recommendations to streamline and improve your approach.
- Job Descriptions & Ideal Candidate Profiles: Crafting compelling job descriptions and defining ideal candidate profiles are key to attracting the right talent. We’ll work with you to ensure your messaging resonates with top candidates and aligns with your business needs.
- Hiring Scorecard: Say goodbye to gut feelings and hello to data-driven decisions. We’ll help you develop an unbiased assessment system tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that every candidate is evaluated fairly and thoroughly.
- Interview Training & Support: Interviews are critical moments in the hiring process, and we don’t leave you to navigate them alone. We’ll train your team on effective interviewing techniques and even participate in interviews to provide support and guidance.
- GTM Hiring Strategy & Networking: Tap into our extensive network, private community, and database of top-tier professionals to build a roster of candidates who are ready to take your business to the next level.
- Offer Creation & Negotiation: Crafting the right offer is essential to starting the relationship on the right foot. We’ll assist in creating offers that reflect the value of the role and ensure all parties are excited about the future.
- Founder Consulting & Coaching: We’re always here for you. Whether you need advice on a specific hiring challenge or want to brainstorm strategies, our hotline is open to provide the guidance and support you need.
Let’s talk. At Avenue Talent Partners, we’ve been through the challenges, learned from the mistakes, and refined a process that delivers results. This is what sets us apart as the top executive recruiters in Chicago.
We’re here to share that expertise with you and help your startup thrive.