Venture & PE Relationships

Partners to the firms that fund Silicon Valley.

For more than 25 years, Essential Solutions has built leadership teams for the portfolio companies of Silicon Valley's most respected venture and growth-stage investors. The firms below represent a cross-section of the investors who rely on ESI for their most important executive searches.

In Their Words

What our venture partners say.

"

I have partnered with ESI on multiple mission-critical searches across several of my most-promising portfolio companies. This has resulted in the successful hiring of several high-quality candidates who went on to have significant and tangible impact at my portfolio companies. I unreservedly recommend ESI's comprehensive research, situationally-aware and diligent recruiting efforts. Aaron and his team are my and my portfolio companies' GO-TO search firm for our most important executive recruiting needs.

Wen Hsieh
Partner, Kleiner Perkins
"

Aaron and his team have a unique combination of deep technical knowledge, a broad Rolodex and a keen sense of understanding leadership requirements of a fast growing start-up. At a recent CEO search, Aaron did an outstanding job getting top-notch talent excited about the opportunity and worked extremely well with the board of directors advising them on the search process.

Shankar Chandran
Managing Director & Head, Samsung Catalyst Fund
"

I've been working with Essential Solutions for over a dozen years and they have consistently performed for me, especially when extensive research is required. Aaron has never failed me.

Matt Howard
Managing Partner, Norwest Venture Partners
"

Aaron and his team at Essential Solutions are among the very best of the executive search firms who work with startups. They spend the much needed time and effort to understand a startup's business and culture and work with the founders to find the right talent for their companies. They have helped several of our portfolio companies build their management teams. Strongly recommended.

Jishnu Bhattacharjee
Managing Director, Nexus Venture Partners
"

Aaron and his team at Essential Solutions have been great partners over the years. I have had the pleasure of working with Aaron on a number of searches and am always impressed with his rolodex, ability to match requirements to qualified candidates, and his focus on finding the right fit that makes for a successful hire. Aaron is truly a partner that you can rely on.

Jeff Karras
Managing Director, Singtel Innov8 Ventures
The Broader Roster

Funds and firms we have partnered with.

Our past clients are portfolio companies of the funds and firms below, among others. Each search begins with understanding not only the company we are serving, but the thesis, portfolio style, and board composition of the investors behind it.

Samsung Strategy & Innovation Center
Samsung Strategy & Innovation Center
Norwest Venture Partners
Norwest Venture Partners
NEA
NEA
Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Kleiner Perkins
Kleiner Perkins
Accel Partners
Accel Partners
Nexus Venture Partners
Nexus Venture Partners
Foundation Capital
Foundation Capital
Storm Ventures
Storm Ventures
DCM Ventures
DCM Ventures
Clear Ventures
Clear Ventures
Intel Capital
Intel Capital
Interwest Partners
Interwest Partners
Investor Growth Capital
Investor Growth Capital
IPV Capital
IPV Capital
Matrix Partners
Matrix Partners
Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures
Meritech Capital Partners
Meritech Capital Partners
Nautilus Venture Partners
Nautilus Venture Partners
Partech Ventures
Partech Ventures
Robert Bosch Venture Capital
Robert Bosch Venture Capital
Sapphire Ventures
Sapphire Ventures
Singtel Innov8
Singtel Innov8
Softbank Ventures Korea
Softbank Ventures Korea
Thoma Bravo
Thoma Bravo
Tsing Capital
Tsing Capital

A portfolio company that needs a leader?

We partner closely with venture firms and their portfolio founders on the searches that matter most. Tell us about the role — we will tell you exactly how we would approach it.

Get in Touch → View Our Clients