— Executive Search · Tech & Scale-ups · DACH
Leaders for companies that grow faster than the market.
Tech companies and software scale-ups need leaders who don’t just manage growth, but structure, anticipate and accelerate it. We find them — fast, substantial and with an understanding of digital business models.
— Industry-specific challenges
Every phase needs different leadership.
What makes an excellent scale-up leader differs fundamentally from what a growing Series-B company or an established tech firm needs. We know these differences.
Experienced tech leaders are contacted constantly. Without genuine sector understanding and a compelling company story, you won’t win the best candidates.
Tech leaders must connect product, technology, people and commercial. These hybrid profiles exist — but you must know where and how to find them.
The best tech managers aren’t won by salary alone. We understand how to communicate mission, culture and growth potential convincingly.
In tech, long search processes are not only expensive — they send the wrong signal to the candidate market. Our Ø 7-week time-to-hire fits tech logic.
"What I particularly value about working with Kempkens × Kohler is that they work fast, flexibly and with a great deal of independence. I can hand over a topic and know it will be thought through independently and executed cleanly. A collaboration that creates very little overhead while adding real pace."
"The collaboration with Kempkens × Kohler was exceptional from the very start. The team combines strategic clarity with creativity — above all with pace and a deep understanding of brand and business. The results moved ryd forward noticeably."
— Mandate scope
Which roles we fill in tech & software
In tech companies, candidates are often well-networked themselves, come from international environments and have high expectations of their new employer’s culture and leadership quality.
— Our approach
Partner-led. Fast. Precise.
We don’t run database queries. Every search is led personally by Oliver Kempkens or Sebastian Kohler — from the briefing session to onboarding.
Together we define the search profile, your culture and the success criteria. We understand your business, ownership structure and strategic situation.
Systematic mapping of 200+ profiles in the relevant market — including candidates with no active job profile who are invisible to classic channels.
First profiles serve as the basis for jointly fine-tuning the search profile. We adjust parameters precisely to your feedback before going deep.
In-depth interviews, personality diagnostics and an explicit culture-fit check. You receive 3–5 excellent candidates — no long lists.
Contract negotiation, stakeholder alignment and active support through the first 90 days. We are only done once your leader is successfully on board.
Why our approach works differently
Entrepreneurial thinking
We understand roles in the context of growth, responsibility and strategic impact.
Partner-led, not delegated
Every mandate is led personally by the founding partners — no opaque research process.
Access to the hidden market
We identify leaders on competency and potential — including talent beyond the open candidate market.
Precision over volume
A clearly calibrated shortlist instead of long candidate lists.
— Client references & projects
Executive search for tech & scale-ups: what makes the difference
The German-speaking tech market is growing dynamically — and with it the need for leaders who don’t just understand digital business models, but grew up in them. Classic executive-search firms often have a blind spot here: they know neither the culture nor the candidate network of the tech scene.
In recent years Kempkens & Kohler has built a proven track record filling C-level and senior positions in tech companies and software scale-ups — with references from the German and international tech ecosystem. We combine the agility tech companies demand with the substance a C-level hire deserves.
As a FOCUS Top Executive Search Firm 2026 and one of the few boutique providers in Germany with proven tech experience, we are the partner for companies that grow fast and want the right people on board at the same time.
— Free initial consultation
Let’s talk about your next key role.
Whether an urgent vacancy or a strategic leadership hire for the next growth phase — tell us about your need and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
For companies with a hiring need. We work exclusively on a retained basis for companies looking to fill a leadership position. We are unable to consider unsolicited applications via this form.