The Client Challenge
Unite Genomics, a venture-backed AI healthcare analytics startup with funding from NEA, Mark Cuban, and The House Fund, faced a critical inflection point. As a seed-stage company ready to scale, they needed their first VP of Sales to drive revenue growth and establish market presence.
The stakes were high: This hire would define their go-to-market strategy, build their first sales processes, and establish relationships with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies—their core target market.
The complexity: They needed someone who could speak fluent "AI and data analytics" while having proven enterprise sales experience in healthcare SaaS, specifically with pharmaceutical clients. This intersection of technical acumen and industry relationships made for an exceptionally narrow candidate pool.
Our Approach: Precision Targeting in a Niche Market
Deep Market Mapping
We conducted comprehensive research across healthcare, genomics, data analytics, and AI industries, building a talent ecosystem of 100+ potential candidates through a combination of:
Strategic sourcing from competitors and adjacent companies
Network activation leveraging founder referrals and industry connections
Targeted outreach to sales leaders with pharmaceutical client experience
Collaborative Calibration
Unite's founders became true partners in the process, providing detailed feedback that allowed us to continuously refine our targeting and ensure cultural and strategic fit.
The Results That Matter
Role Evolution
The position was elevated from VP of Sales to Chief Commercial Officer—reflecting both the caliber of candidate we sourced and Unite's growing confidence in their commercial strategy.
Exceptional Hire
Theo Ahadome brings exactly what Unite needed:
15 years of digital health industry experience
Elite education: Cambridge + Duke MBA
Proven track record: Built sales pipelines at both large enterprises (Amgen) and high-growth startups (Science 37, Happify)
Perfect timing: Ready to take an early-stage company from 0 to 1
Efficient Process
100+ candidates sourced and evaluated
Seamless coordination of complex full-day on-site interviews
Successful negotiation of compensation package
Strong relationship built with client for future searches
What Our Client Says
"Silver Project Group did a great job recruiting a key foundational executive for us. The team sourced strong candidates, compiled thorough candidate profiles, provided feedback based on their own interactions with candidates, coordinated all touch points including complex full-day on-sites, managed all communication with candidates, negotiated comp well, and kept the whole process moving forward efficiently. They were very thoughtful and communicative with us the entire way, and we built up a solid foundation of mutual trust very early in the process. I would happily entrust them with any critical search we need to do in the future."
— Taner Dagdelen, CEO & Co-Founder, Unite
Why This Search Succeeded
Industry Expertise: We understand the unique intersection of AI, healthcare, and enterprise sales—crucial for finding candidates who can navigate complex B2B pharmaceutical relationships.
Startup Fluency: Our team knows what early-stage companies need: leaders who can build from zero, wear multiple hats, and scale with the business.
Process Excellence: From sourcing to negotiation, we handle every detail so founders can focus on running their business.
Partnership Approach: We work as an extension of your team, not just a vendor, ensuring every hire strengthens your company's trajectory.