Shields Group Search

Overview

Shields Group Search is an executive search and recruiting firm based in New York City[1][6]. The company helps startups find senior leaders[2], offering executive search services for C-level and VP positions at startups and scale-ups[4], along with engineering and technical recruitment with a dedicated focus on AI, software, and technical talent[4]. The firm works with venture-backed companies and VC portfolio companies[3], primarily targeting startups from Seed through Series C stage in sectors including SaaS, fintech, healthtech, CPG, and Web3[5]. Shields Group Search emphasizes recruiting top AI and ML engineers and other AI-forward roles[5]. The company operates globally across the U.S., Latin America, the EU, Asia, and the Middle East[6]. Founded by Thomas Shields, a seasoned recruiter with experience in VC- and PE-backed portfolio companies[9], the firm reports partnerships with hundreds of founders and backing from leading VC firms and incubators[8], including named partners Qubic Labs, LvlUp Ventures, and NextUp Incubator[7].

The company's own site places it in New York: Page explicitly states 'We drive NYC executive search at Shields Group Search', directly identifying NYC as the location of their core busin. [1]

Shields Group Search offers Executive Search ("Discreet recruitment of C-level and VP leaders for startups and scale-ups"), Engineering and Tech Recruitment with a "Dedicated focus on high-demand AI, software, and technical talent", and Global Recruitment across LatAm, the EU, Asia and the Middle East. [4]

Business address: 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 and describes itself as "Based in NYC, but with global recruitment coverage across the U.S., LatAm, the EU, Asia, and the Middle East". [6]

Partnerships

Shields Group Search names Qubic Labs, LvlUp Ventures and NextUp Incubator as partners. [7]

Growth & traction

Shields Group Search says it has "partnered with hundreds of founders" and is "Backed by partnerships with leading VC firms and incubators". [8]