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Search Reinvented: Industry-first Executive Index Accelerates Executive Recruiting with AI-Powered Talent Market Mapping

by Eric Walczykowski​

February 5, 2025,,

  • Eric

At Bespoke Partners, we know that every day without the right leadership can stall execution and put growth plans at risk.

That’s why today we have reinvented executive search. I’m excited to announce the launch of the Bespoke Executive Index, the search industry’s first AI-powered talent market mapping platform.

The Executive Index dramatically accelerates the recruiting of high-impact executives with an unprecedented top-down, comprehensive view of the talent market for software and SaaS leadership.

Just like Google revolutionized the web by indexing webpages, the Executive Index revolutionizes leadership recruiting by indexing executives and validating their backgrounds.

I’m talking about a comprehensive mapping and of nearly 700,000 executives who have held senior leadership roles at software and SaaS companies in the United States. Every CEO, CFO, CMO, CTO, CRO, CHRO, VP of Sales or other executive of note in software and SaaS companies is in the Executive Index.

Even more importantly, the Executive Index uses AI analytics and hundreds of public and private data sources to validate the backgrounds, accomplishments and track records of these leaders.

That’s right. Instead of relying on self-reported work histories on resumes or on LinkedIn profiles, you can now see executive backgrounds that have been cross-referenced and checked against hundreds of data sources.

This is a true game-changer. Software executive search will never be the same.

From the Universe to the Unicorns™

Another reason the Executive Index is a monumental industry first is because it maps the entire market from the top down, ensuring that all viable candidates are considered for search.

Instead of relying on personal networks or limited market visibility you get from traditional firms, you now can see the broadest possible scope of the market, and drill down to the individuals who have the greatest potential to meet your needs.

That’s why we say the Executive Index brings you unmatched insight “From the Universe to the Unicorns.” See the entire universe of leaders and find the unique, “unicorn” executives who are the precise match for your search.

We specialize in executive search for private equity and growth equity firms and their portfolios. Now the Executive Index provides unparalleled insight into which executives will execute value creation plans and enable a sponsor to achieve the investment thesis.

Search Reinvented

The Executive Index is available only by engaging Bespoke in an executive search. You will enjoy:

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    Faster Searches:

    The Executive Index reduces our average days-to-close (DTC) by 15% or more. We already had the industry’s best DTC average, and the Executive Index means searches wrap up faster than ever.

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    Bigger Candidate Pools:

    The Executive Index expands candidate membership by 50% compared to traditional research methods. Your see Step-Ups and strong candidates in adjacent market segments. More candidates mean more visibility of the best, a broader talent pool, and better outcomes.

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    Accuracy Like Never Before:

    The Executive Index 84% scorecard hit rate is nearly triple the accuracy of conventional approaches. Nearly every candidate surfaced by the Executive Index is a fit to your scorecard.

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    Real-Time Filtering:

    Adjust scorecard parameters—sector experience, roles, geography, travel requirements, company stage—in seconds. You’ll know exactly how these filters affect your candidate pool and search membership in real-time.

Bespoke is Built Different. From our unique firm structure and success fees to our functional and sector expertise, we have reinvented the search firm to bring massive value to clients.

The Executive Index raises our Built Different model to a new level.

With our new tech-enabled search foundation, clients will enjoy unmatched precision, efficiency, and outcomes that exceed expectations.

Contact us to see how the Executive Index will revolutionize your next search.

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Bespoke Partners Named in Top 10 of the “Top 49 Retained Executive Search” 2-Years Running by C-Suite CV Secure.

top-49-search-firms-2-years-in-a-row-bespoke-partners

Authored by:

  • Eric
    Chief Executive Officer

    Eric is passionate about building high-performing teams that value doing their best, working together, overcoming adversity and learning.

    As a proven growth executive, Eric has served as CEO, President, Board Member, Investor and Advisor for technology companies that achieved over $4.5B in successful exits.

    Eric brings to Bespoke Partners significant professional services experience from Deloitte and Andersen, as well as the high-growth client executive perspective for private equity-backed technology companies.

    Eric earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Business from Fresno State University.

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