Execthread

ExecThread operates a curated, peer-to-peer marketplace focused on the often opaque world of executive-level job opportunities. Founded in 2015 by Joe Meyer, the New York-based company was born from his personal frustration with the lack of transparency in the executive search process. After selling his previous startup, the pedestrian navigation service HopStop, to Apple in 2013, Meyer found that the senior-level opportunities presented to him by recruiters were often not a good fit, while the more desirable roles remained hidden. This experience, coupled with the realization that professionals from less advantaged backgrounds faced even greater barriers, sparked the idea for a platform where executives could anonymously share opportunities they weren't pursuing themselves.

The core of ExecThread's business is a crowdsourced platform where a vetted community of over 800,000 senior professionals can discover and anonymously share executive and board-level job openings. This model aims to democratize access to the "hidden job market," which consists of roles that are typically not advertised publicly. The platform caters to both job-seeking executives and employers/recruiters. For its members, ExecThread provides access to a large database of confidential career opportunities, primarily for director-level to C-suite positions with compensation exceeding $100,000. For recruiters and hiring companies, it offers a direct channel to a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates. This dual approach was recognized in 2024 when the company was ranked #524 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

ExecThread's revenue model is multifaceted, generating income from both sides of its marketplace. Job-seeking members can join for free to browse listings, but must subscribe to a paid plan to view confidential details like company names and compensation data or to apply for certain roles. Subscription options range from monthly to lifetime plans. The company also operates on a freemium model for employers, offering free basic job postings and premium paid packages that provide enhanced visibility, such as inclusion in a weekly newsletter. This strategy is supplemented by venture capital backing, with the company having raised a total of $6.5 million over two funding rounds, including a Series A round in September 2017 and a debt financing round in July 2024.

Keywords: executive recruitment, job board, career marketplace, C-suite jobs, board roles, crowdsourced jobs, hidden job market, professional network, talent acquisition, HR tech