Starfish Partners acquired direct hire search firms NinjaJobs and Global People. Based in Plano, Texas, Starfish Partners provides exit strategies for owners as well as capital for recruiting firms planning to scale.

NinjaJobs

NinjaJobs is a Virginia-based cybersecurity search firm. Its technology and job board platform will expand Starfish Partners’ reach into the cybersecurity industry.

“Pairing with them will allow us to accelerate growth, expand our reach, and better serve the cybersecurity community,” said Drew Fearson, founder of NinjaJobs.

The acquisition of NinjaJobs fulfills one of Starfish Partners’ key initiatives of expanding into cybersecurity search, according to Managing Director Dan Charney. He cited the unique way NinjaJobs segmented the market, which enables it to serve several niches within the industry as well as its unique technology platform and job board that is specific to cybersecurity.

“More importantly, Drew and the team embody our core values and are a great cultural fit for the Starfish family,” he said. “We are extremely excited to support NinjaJobs as they continue to grow.”

Global People

Global People, based in Portsmouth, Ohio, targets sectors including supply chain technology, logistics, cybersecurity, data analytics, ERP - SAP and Oracle, and locums tenens. Its founder and CEO, Jon Bartos, also serves as the CIO for Starfish Partners.

“It was only fitting that we acquired the search firm of the individual leading our acquisition effort,” said Jeff Kaye, managing director at Starfish. “We have built an incredible relationship with Jon and his team and share a common vision for the future of our collective.”

Both transactions closed May 26; terms were not disclosed.

All entities under Starfish Partners maintain their own brands, while many functions will become centralized.

Current Starfish Partners organizations also include search firms Kaye/Bassman International Corp., Direct Recruiters Inc., Integrity Search, Full Spectrum Search Group, Raymond Search Group, the Sanford Rose Associates International network, and consulting and training firm Next Level Exchange.