Bolster

Bolster is an executive search firm that combines expert recruiters with an AI-powered platform to find CEOs, board members, and interim talent for startups and scaleups. The company was founded by eight entrepreneurs who previously scaled Return Path and aims to accelerate growth by matching transformational executives without the hassle of traditional sourcing. Their approach focuses on full-time roles, fractional work, and board positions across various industries.

The firm offers a First Search package for $90,000, which includes a 50% upfront fee and a 50% payment upon closing the hire. Additional searches cost $75,000, while Board Search engagements range from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on company revenue. They also provide On-Demand Talent starting at $2,500 and Mentor & Coach services with a $1,000 upfront fee. All pricing models use a 50% upfront and 50% on close structure unless otherwise noted.

Clients can start immediately by completing the contact form on the website with their first name, last name, email, and message. The team promises to reach out promptly after submission to discuss how they can partner to grow the client's team. There is no mention of a free trial, but the website encourages users to shoot a note to initiate the process.

The company differentiates itself by using an intelligent sourcing platform that streamlines candidate evaluation and surfaces executives faster than the industry average. They claim to complete searches in days rather than weeks, offering a flat-fee pricing model with no hidden fees. Their eight founders bring experience from scaling Return Path, aiming to provide a more progressive and people-first approach to executive search.

According to the pricing page, the fee for a Board Search varies based on company revenue, with a $10,000 fee for companies under $10mm in revenue up to $40,000 for those over $100mm. This tiered structure ensures that pricing scales appropriately with the client's size and needs.

The firm provides three distinct service types: Full-Time Sourcing for $30,000, Board Search for $10,000 to $40,000, and On-Demand Talent for project-based or fractional work. Each option includes a 50% upfront payment and a 50% payment upon closing, though the On-Demand Talent fee starts at $2,500 with a different markup structure.

Reviewers consistently praise the user-friendly and intuitive design of the bolster.com website, noting that it is easy to navigate and clean. Many customers highlight the exceptional and prompt customer service, describing the support team as responsive and helpful in addressing queries quickly.

The Trustburn rating is 4.2 out of 5 based on 12 reviews, with a split that includes several 5-star ratings alongside some 3-star entries. The most recent review dates back to October 2023, and the majority of feedback focuses on the website's usability and the responsiveness of the support team.

The firm states that their AI-powered platform allows recruiters to focus more on finding exceptional talent rather than manual workflows. This technological integration is part of their strategy to deliver quality candidates with speed, precision, and transparency to their clients.

The company claims to have analyzed over 280,000 executives across 30,000+ companies to understand how leadership teams evolve from Pre-Seed to Series D. This data-driven approach helps them advise clients on when to expand their leadership teams effectively.

Clients have reported that the Bolster team was extremely responsive and went above and beyond throughout their search process. One CEO noted that the team helped find a fantastic leader who aligned with their mission and brought necessary functional expertise to the organization.

The firm offers a three-month engagement for Full-Time Sourcing that includes sourcing candidates and making introductions, while the client manages the interviewing, assessing, and negotiating phases. This model allows companies to leverage Bolster's expertise without taking over the entire hiring lifecycle.