Sherpa (previously Kandidate)

Sherpa (previously Kandidate) is a specialist AI talent recruitment company that builds exceptional engineering teams for venture-backed startups and scale-ups. The company leverages a proprietary network of over 300,000 pre-vetted AI engineers and a proven 14-day hiring methodology to deliver results where traditional recruiting fails. Trusted by 32+ leading venture capitalists and 200+ portfolio companies, Sherpa has successfully built teams for 6 unicorns valued at $50 billion combined, demonstrating deep expertise in the unique hiring challenges of high-growth AI companies.

Sherpa specialises exclusively in artificial intelligence and machine learning recruitment, addressing the critical talent gap where only 300,000 qualified AI engineers exist globally against 4 million open positions. The company's approach combines eight AI-powered tools with expert guidance, conducting rigorous technical assessments and deep market analysis to identify candidates who match both technical requirements and company culture. Their process includes precise role calibration, competitive salary benchmarking, candidate mapping from their global network, technical qualification screening, curated shortlisting, and negotiation facilitation.

Operating from San Francisco and London, Sherpa serves venture-backed companies across multiple geographies with a commitment to delivering results within 14 days on average. The company offers a 90-day replacement guarantee, 24-hour response times, and a track record of over 500 successful placements. Clients choose Sherpa for their specialised AI expertise, exclusive access to top-tier talent, proven methodology, and deep understanding of venture-backed company dynamics, making them the preferred partner for scaling AI teams in competitive markets.