Shortlist

Shortlist solves human capital challenges for the world's most impactful and innovative employers. Founded in 2015, the company began with just 5 people in Palo Alto, California, and has since grown into a global talent solutions provider with deep roots in Africa. The company was initially launched with an office in Mumbai, India, before expanding to Nairobi, Kenya, which now serves as its headquarters.

Headquartered in Africa, Shortlist's global team of 40+ people from 10+ countries helps solve talent challenges for organizations committed to impact and innovation. The company operates two core offerings: Shortlist Search, an executive search service for leadership hiring across Africa and beyond, and Shortlist Futures, a workforce innovation lab focused on African youth employment. Their team is distributed across Egypt, France, India, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, the UK, and the United States.

Shortlist specializes in searches that are difficult to close: senior, mission-critical roles in complex and under-mapped markets. Their work spans full-time, fractional, and board-level appointments for global non-profits, fast-growing startups, regional businesses, and multinational corporations. The company has made over 10,000 placements and partnered with organizations including the Gates Foundation on initiatives like the Gender and AI Livelihoods Fund. All team members share a passion for unlocking professional potential and believe in the power of great teams to change the world.