Found By

Found By is a boutique talent agency and executive search firm specialized in design, located in San Francisco. The firm offers an array of recruiting and consulting services that address the specific needs of each growing business, supporting companies of all shapes and sizes from seed stage to Fortune 500 companies.

Found By operates as a strategic partner rather than just a service provider, focusing exclusively on design talent acquisition. The firm has spent more than a decade building out some of the best design leadership teams in the U.S., developing deep expertise in spotting talent in this ever-evolving, nuanced field. Their philosophy centers on the belief that talent is the foundation of a company's culture and success, and that a strong design team will fundamentally change a business for the better.

The agency's approach emphasizes partnership, transparency, communication, and continuous feedback with their clients. They work as one coordinated unit to deliver a seamless candidate experience and ultimately hire the best possible person for each organization. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all methodology, Found By takes time to understand each organization and the types of problems they want to solve, tailoring their recommendations, hiring strategy, and recruitment process accordingly.

Found By prioritizes quality over quantity, leveraging their meaningful relationships with top design talent across multiple levels. The design community is small, but the firm has cultivated deep access to this community and maintains a comprehensive understanding of their needs and wants when considering new opportunities. Their reputation as a trusted resource that delivers at the highest level drives their business, with all clients coming via referral or previous working relationships.

The firm helps organizations grow diverse design teams thoughtfully and effectively, assisting clients in identifying which types of skills their organization needs and matching them with world-class design leaders. They partner specifically with companies and individuals who value recruiting and believe that hiring the right design talent is critical to unlocking their business's full potential.