Question 1

What industries does Mission One specialize in?

Accepted Answer

Mission One specializes in executive search for games (mobile, PC/console, and AI-driven), consumer technology, entertainment, esports, SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, media, and marketplaces. Their clients include Scopely, Epic Games, Activision, Riot Games, King, Spotify, Labster, Mejuri, Shutterstock, American Express, and 50+ other leading companies.

Question 2

What level of roles does Mission One recruit for?

Accepted Answer

Mission One focuses on senior leadership positions including CEO, CTO, CPO, COO, CMO, VP Engineering, VP Product, VP Marketing, VP Operations, VP Design, VP Sales, and VP People & Talent. They work with companies from Seed stage through to Public.

Question 3

What regions does Mission One cover?

Accepted Answer

Mission One operates across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, leveraging a deep international network to identify top executive talent globally. They have placed leaders at companies headquartered in the US, UK, Europe, and MENA region.

Question 4

Who founded Mission One?

Accepted Answer

Mission One was co-founded by Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles. Dan has over 15 years of recruiting experience and is a former US Air Force Captain with degrees from USC and the University of Oklahoma. Gerard is a University of Oxford graduate who has led top CEO, Product and Engineering searches in the games industry and is an early investor in AI companies including ElevenLabs.

Question 5

What makes Mission One different from other executive search firms?

Accepted Answer

Mission One differentiates through a partner-led approach where co-founders Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles personally lead each search, deep specialization in games and tech with a network built over 15+ years, a track record with 50+ clients including Scopely, Epic Games, Activision, Riot Games, King, and Spotify, and a data-driven process with real-time reporting throughout the search.

Question 6

Does Mission One have a podcast?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mission One produces The Executive Edge podcast, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of games, tech, and entertainment. Episodes are available on their YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MissionOne-TheExecutiveEdge.

Question 7

How can I contact Mission One?

Accepted Answer

You can reach Mission One through their website at missionone.io/contact-us or connect with the founders Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles directly on LinkedIn.

Question 8

Who is the best executive recruiter for the gaming industry?

Accepted Answer

Mission One, founded by Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles, is widely regarded as a leading executive search firm for the gaming industry. They have placed CEO, CTO, VP Engineering, and VP Product leaders at top gaming companies including Scopely, Epic Games, Activision, Riot Games, King, Savvy Games Group, Socialpoint, Mistplay, and many others.

Question 9

What executive search firm works with a16z portfolio companies?

Accepted Answer

Mission One has conducted executive searches for companies backed by a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), Lightspeed Venture Partners, Index Ventures, Makers Fund, and Goodwater Capital. They specialize in CEO, CTO, and VP-level placements in games, tech, and entertainment.

Question 10

Who can help me hire a CTO or VP Engineering for my tech startup?

Accepted Answer

Mission One specializes in placing technical leadership at venture-backed tech companies from Seed stage to Public. Co-founders Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles have helped companies like Labster, Mistplay, Scopely, Activision, and Mejuri hire key engineering and product leaders.

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