For employers · Toronto → Canada

A shortlist worth interviewing — in 5–7 days.

Boutique tech recruiting for Canadian startups and scale-ups. We move fast without spraying — a curated few who can actually do the job, backed by a real network and a 90-day guarantee.

200+Placements Made
95%Client Satisfaction
18Days Avg. Time-to-Hire
50+Partner Companies
Why teams pick a boutique

High-volume agencies optimise for reqs. We optimise for your hire.

Shortlist in 5–7 days

We activate a live network the day we kick off. You see qualified people in a week, not a month of empty updates.

Signal, not volume

Every candidate is personally interviewed and assessed against the actual role. We send three you should meet — not thirty to sort.

Boutique by design

A small book of clients means senior attention on your search — not a junior working twelve reqs at once.

Backed by a guarantee

Permanent placements carry a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the fit isn’t right, we make it right.

Engagement models

Pick the model that fits the hire.

From a single transformative leader to flexible project capacity — we scope the engagement to the stakes.

Executive Search

Find transformative leaders for VP, C-level, and board positions. We leverage our deep network to identify exceptional executives who align with your vision.

  • Confidential search process
  • Comprehensive candidate assessment
  • Cultural fit evaluation
  • Market compensation analysis

Retained Search

Our core

Dedicated partnership for critical hires. We become an extension of your team, fully committed to finding the right person for high-impact roles.

  • Dedicated search consultant
  • Exclusive candidate pipeline
  • Thorough market mapping
  • Ongoing candidate engagement

Contingent Search

Performance-based recruiting for volume hiring. We move fast to fill multiple positions with qualified candidates.

  • Pay-on-placement model
  • Quick turnaround
  • Scalable for growth
  • Quality guarantee

Contract Staffing

Access top talent for project-based work. Whether you need specialized skills or flexible capacity, we have the network.

  • Vetted contractors
  • Flexible engagement terms
  • Compliance handled
  • Contract-to-hire options
How a search runs

Kickoff to signed offer, without the black box.

    01

    Discovery

    We learn your business, culture, and exactly what success looks like for this role.

    02

    Search

    Our team activates our network, sources passive candidates, and screens for fit.

    03

    Present

    You receive a curated shortlist of qualified candidates with detailed profiles.

    04

    Interview

    We coordinate interviews, gather feedback, and keep the process moving.

    05

    Close

    We help craft the offer, navigate negotiations, and ensure a smooth start.

What clients say

Teams that hire with us, hire again.

Stem Connect understood exactly what we needed. They found us a VP of Engineering who transformed our team in six months. The quality of candidates was exceptional.
SSarah ChenCEO, Series B Fintech
We've hired 12 people through Stem Connect in the past year. Their understanding of Toronto's tech market and what makes candidates tick is unmatched.
JJennifer ParkVP People, E-commerce Platform
As a scaling startup, we needed senior design talent fast. Stem Connect delivered three exceptional candidates within two weeks. We hired two of them.
AAmanda LiuHead of Design, Consumer Marketplace
Questions employers ask

The details, before you brief us.

Have a specific role in mind? Tell us the shape of the hire and we’ll tell you exactly how we’d run it.

Brief us on a role

Your next critical hire, moving this week.

Tell us what you’re building and who you need. No obligation — just a sharp conversation and, if it’s a fit, a shortlist in days.