For Startups

Build the teams that drive growth

We partner with VC-backed SaaS startups to hire the core teams that scale your business—from your first product hire to your leadership bench. Talent advisory for every stage of growth.

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What We Place

The roles that define your next stage

We focus on the functions that determine whether a Series A startup becomes a Series B one. From individual contributors to leadership—we scale with you.

Engineering

The builders who ship your product

  • Software Engineers
  • Senior Engineers
  • Tech Leads
  • Engineering Managers
  • VPs & CTOs

Product & Growth

The minds behind what you build and how it spreads

  • Product Managers
  • Senior PMs
  • Growth Marketers
  • Demand Gen
  • Product Leaders

Go-to-Market

The team that turns product into pipeline

  • SDRs & AEs
  • Account Executives
  • Sales Managers
  • Marketing Managers
  • Revenue Leaders

Customer Success

The people who turn users into advocates

  • CS Representatives
  • CS Managers
  • Implementation Specialists
  • CS Directors
  • CS Leadership

From your first IC hire to building out leadership—we scale with you.

How We Work

Not the usual recruiter playbook

Most recruiters optimize for volume. We optimize for staying power. A hire that leaves at 6 months costs you more than an empty seat.

01

We learn your business first

Deep-dive into your product, roadmap, and culture—not a 15-minute intake call.

02

Small, curated shortlists

3–5 candidates, not 30. Every one screened for skill, stage-fit, and motivation.

03

We stay through the first 90 days

Placement isn't the finish line. We check in through onboarding.

Team discussion

Typical Engagement Timeline

Week 1

Discovery

Deep-dive into your business, culture, and what success looks like

Week 2-3

Sourcing

Targeted outreach to qualified candidates from our network

Week 3-4

Shortlist

Present 3-5 vetted candidates with detailed assessments

Ongoing

Support

Interview coordination, offer negotiation, and onboarding check-ins

Our Philosophy

What makes us different

Talent advisory, not just executives

We help you build entire teams—from your first software engineer to your VP of Engineering. One partner for every stage of growth.

We'd rather say no than do it wrong

If we're not the right fit for your search, we'll tell you. If your timeline doesn't allow for quality work, we'll be honest about that too.

We believe in relationships over transactions

We're not trying to maximize placements. We're trying to build long-term partnerships with founders who value quality and honesty.

Our Commitments

What we guarantee

We'll never send you unqualified candidates to hit a quota

We'll be transparent about our process and timeline

We'll tell you honestly if we think something won't work

We'll prioritize fit over speed—every time

If a hire doesn't work out in 90 days, we re-run the search—on us

How We Engage

Choose the model that fits your needs

Transparent pricing, flexible engagement. Whether you need one urgent hire or ongoing recruitment support, we have a model that works.

Fastest

Priority Search

For urgent, business-critical roles

25%

of first-year CTC

Fee Structure

5% upfront — Engagement fee to start

20% on placement — Success fee on hire

Refund Policy: 100% refund within 10 business days. After 10 days, 1% service charge retained.

What's Included

  • First shortlist in ~10 business days
  • Dedicated search team assigned
  • 3-5 pre-vetted candidates
  • Full interview coordination
  • Offer negotiation support
  • Weekly progress updates
  • 90-day replacement guarantee

Best For

Leadership hires, roles blocking milestones, time-sensitive positions

No Risk

Partnership Search

For important hires without urgency

20%

of first-year CTC

Fee Structure

$0 upfront — No commitment to start

100% on placement — Pay only when you hire

Zero Risk: You only pay when we successfully place a candidate you love.

What's Included

  • First shortlist in ~2-3 weeks
  • Thorough discovery & intake
  • 3-5 screened candidates
  • Interview coordination
  • Offer guidance & support
  • Bi-weekly updates
  • 60-day replacement guarantee

Best For

Standard hires, building team steadily, budget-conscious startups

BEST VALUE
Recommended

Growth Partner

For startups with ongoing hiring needs

$500/mo + 15%

monthly retainer + success fee

Fee Structure

$500/month — Ongoing partnership

15% on placement — Reduced success fee

Save 32%+ compared to Priority Search when hiring multiple roles.

What's Included

  • Continuous talent sourcing
  • Unlimited role briefs
  • Monthly hiring strategy call
  • Priority access to candidates
  • Employer branding guidance
  • Dedicated account manager
  • 90-day replacement guarantee

Best For

Startups hiring 3+ roles, scaling teams, Series A-C companies

Not sure which model is right for you?

Calculate Your Hiring Cost

Disclaimer: The fee structures outlined above are indicative and may vary based on role complexity, seniority level, market conditions, and scope of engagement. All percentages are calculated on first-year CTC (Cost to Company) unless otherwise agreed. The 5% upfront engagement fee (Priority Search) is fully refundable within 10 business days; a 1% administrative charge applies after this period. Replacement guarantees and all terms are subject to a signed engagement agreement. For a personalised quote, get in touch.

Quick Comparison

PriorityPartnershipGrowth Partner
Total Fee25%20%$500/mo + 15%
Time to Shortlist~10 days~2-3 weeksOngoing
Upfront Cost5% (refundable)None$500/month
Guarantee90 days60 days90 days
Best ForUrgent rolesSingle hires3+ hires
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What types of startups does Magnus Kor work with?

We work exclusively with VC-backed SaaS startups from Seed to Series C. Our sweet spot is companies scaling from 10 to 200+ employees that need to build Engineering, Product, Growth, or Customer Success teams.

How does the Retained Search model work?

Retained Search is our dedicated advisory for senior and leadership hires (VP, C-suite, founding team). You pay a portion upfront and the remainder on successful hire. Typical fee is 20-25% of first-year CTC.

What is the Contingency model?

Contingency is pay-on-success — no upfront cost. We source candidates for IC to mid-level roles and you only pay (15-20% of CTC) when a candidate is hired.

How quickly can you find candidates?

For contingency roles, expect a qualified shortlist within 2-3 weeks. For retained executive searches, the process typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on the seniority and specialization required.

Do you offer a hire guarantee?

Yes. Retained searches include a replacement guarantee — if a hire doesn't work out within the guarantee period, we restart the search at no additional cost.

Get Started

Tell us about your hiring needs

No commitment required. Let's start with a conversation about what you're looking for.

About the Role

No commitment. We'll reach out to schedule a conversation.

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