PHILADELPHIA, PA — True has launched a specialized executive-search practice for venture-backed companies as artificial intelligence accelerates startup growth and puts pressure on founders to assemble leadership teams more quickly.
The Philadelphia-based executive talent firm said True Venture Studios will focus on founders and venture-backed businesses in sectors including AI infrastructure, HardTech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, fintech, healthcare and life sciences.
The new practice represents a renewed emphasis on the venture-capital market where True began operating in 2013, after the firm expanded its executive-search business to companies backed by other asset classes and at different stages of development.
True said more than half of its clients return for subsequent engagements. The firm is positioning the dedicated venture practice around the shorter company-building timelines it says have emerged as AI companies move from inception through later funding rounds more rapidly.
The company said Venture Studios identifies an executive candidate in an average of 21 days. Practitioners are based across the U.S., Europe and other international markets.
“Every business has unique hiring challenges,” Rhoda Longhenry, managing director and head of True’s venture capital practice, said. “The True Venture Studios team understands those nuances for VC-backed companies.”
The practice draws on True’s broader executive-search network while assigning talent partners with experience building management teams at venture-backed companies.
Dan Miller, managing director and head of the firm’s artificial intelligence and venture capital practices, said speed has become a central consideration in venture hiring.
“We know that in venture, speed is everything,” Miller said.
True co-founder Josh Withers said the firm has worked with venture-backed companies through successive technology cycles, including mobile, cloud and software-as-a-service, and has continued working with some businesses from early institutional funding through initial public offerings.
The Venture Studios launch formalizes that segment of True’s business around a dedicated team rather than representing the firm’s entry into venture-focused executive recruiting.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.