Hiring top sales talent in AI isn’t like hiring for a typical SaaS company. Whether you’re selling into highly technical personas like engineers and CIOs or targeting specialized verticals like healthcare, legal, or finance, AI companies need go-to-market (GTM) teams who can translate complex technology into real customer outcomes.
We’ve compiled a list of ten standout recruiting agencies—including our own—to help you evaluate the best partners for sales hiring in the AI sector. These firms bring the right mix of technical understanding, vertical expertise, and proven results in the field.
1. Betts Recruiting
Betts Recruiting is the leading partner for AI companies building out their sales, marketing, and customer success functions. With more than 10,000 tech clients since 2009—including hundreds in artificial intelligence—Betts combines deep GTM expertise with flexible hiring models and proprietary technology.
From technical Account Executives and Solutions Engineers to first Heads of Sales at deep-tech startups, Betts helps AI companies scale at every stage. Their recruiter team understands how to identify salespeople who can articulate complex models, navigate long enterprise sales cycles, and sell into buyers with engineering and data science backgrounds.
What makes Betts ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Specialized AI knowledge – Recruiters trained in hiring for vertical AI companies
- Access to pre-vetted talent – Through Betts Connect, find candidates with domain knowledge, quota history, and startup experience
- Scalable subscription model – Betts’ Recruitment as a Service (RaaS) gives growing AI companies flexibility without the traditional search fee
- Real-time compensation data – Comp Engine helps you price roles based on market supply and time-to-fill benchmarks
2. Formative Search Partners
Formative Search Partners, formerly known as CloserIQ, is a boutique recruitment firm with deep experience in building GTM teams for early- and growth-stage startups. Based in New York, they focus on high-growth technology companies, with particular strength in AI and machine learning startups.
What sets Formative apart is their strategic approach to sales hiring: they consult closely with founders and hiring managers to map ideal candidate profiles, align on hiring timelines, and execute tailored search strategies. Their recruiters have a strong understanding of the demands facing AI companies selling into technical buyers and regulated industries.
Formative places everything from early-stage AEs and BDRs to sales leaders and revenue operations roles. Their advisory services are especially helpful for Seed to Series B companies navigating product-market fit and building a repeatable sales motion.
What makes Formative ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Boutique, founder-focused process with custom search strategies
- Expertise placing first GTM hires and sales leaders in deep-tech startups
- Strong New York and Bay Area network
- High-touch, consultative approach from search to close
3. Sales Talent Inc.
Sales Talent Inc. is a performance-focused recruitment agency specializing in B2B tech sales. Their strength lies in the rigor and structure they bring to the hiring process, which is particularly valuable for AI companies looking for enterprise-grade sales professionals who can navigate complex cycles.
With experience across SaaS, cybersecurity, and analytics, Sales Talent is adept at identifying candidates who can thrive in data-driven, consultative selling environments. They offer detailed vetting processes that evaluate not just experience, but also sales process alignment, deal complexity, and cultural fit.
AI companies that rely on relationships, long sales cycles, and enterprise decision-making will benefit from Sales Talent’s high standards and commitment to results. They’re an especially good fit for Series A to C companies investing in repeatable revenue functions.
What makes Sales Talent ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Rigorous candidate evaluation methodology tailored to complex sales
- Deep understanding of enterprise GTM processes
- Strong performance history with B2B and SaaS companies
- Consultative, process-driven support for scaling teams
4. Peak Sales Recruiting
Peak Sales Recruiting focuses on hiring elite B2B sales professionals and executives across North America and Europe. Their science-based methodology and structured search process make them a strong option for AI companies hiring senior sales leaders or building international teams.
Peak has a proven framework for identifying “A-players”—those who consistently exceed quota, lead teams effectively, and align with company vision. Their recruiters take a data-first approach to search, incorporating predictive assessments, benchmarking, and success modeling to match talent with your business goals.
For AI companies moving upmarket, expanding GTM internationally, or hiring for strategic sales roles like VP of Sales or Enterprise AE, Peak delivers consistency and quality at scale.
What makes Peak ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Systematic and scientific sourcing methodology
- Track record of executive placements in complex B2B environments
- International search capabilities
- Performance benchmarking and predictive assessments
5. OutScout
OutScout is a modern, tech-enabled recruitment platform that connects venture-backed companies with curated GTM talent. With a strong focus on quality over volume, OutScout combines software automation with human search to deliver a consistent stream of highly qualified sales candidates.
AI companies benefit from OutScout’s tailored sourcing approach, especially those looking for candidates with experience in technical sales, RevOps, or AI infrastructure. Their team works closely with hiring managers to understand ideal profiles, and they emphasize diversity, domain experience, and communication skills in candidate selection.
OutScout has earned a reputation for excellence with VC firms and founders alike. Their curated process helps reduce time-to-hire and improve interview-to-offer conversion rates.
What makes OutScout ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Strong track record with VC-backed, technical startups
- Emphasis on candidate quality, domain knowledge, and sales acumen
- Hybrid platform + recruiter model speeds up the hiring process
- Flexible engagement options for early and growth-stage companies
6. Rainmakers
Rainmakers operates a performance-based talent marketplace for sales professionals in the tech industry. Their platform allows candidates to showcase real metrics like quota attainment, deal sizes, and sales cycles—making it easier for AI companies to assess technical and consultative sales talent.
What makes Rainmakers stand out is its self-service search tools and transparent data. Hiring managers at AI companies can search for candidates who meet specific performance benchmarks, geographic preferences, and vertical experience.
While Rainmakers leans toward early-career and mid-level hires, it’s an ideal tool for quickly scaling outbound SDR or AE teams—especially when speed and volume are key.
What makes Rainmakers ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Data-driven marketplace with real-time performance metrics
- Transparent profiles for fast, focused hiring
- Strong network of sales talent in SaaS and AI-adjacent sectors
- Ideal for volume hiring in GTM functions
7. Hunt Club
Hunt Club brings a unique “network recruiting” approach to sales hiring. By leveraging a community of experts, advisors, and referrers, Hunt Club connects AI companies with passive, highly qualified candidates who aren’t active on job boards.
Their proprietary software powers this referral network and supports a full-service search process. Hunt Club’s strength lies in its ability to surface hidden talent for strategic GTM roles, particularly at the leadership level.
For AI companies looking to upgrade sales leadership, expand into new verticals, or accelerate pipeline growth, Hunt Club provides a curated, tech-enabled executive search experience.
What makes Hunt Club ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Access to a private network of passive GTM talent
- Strong success in placing VPs and CROs at high-growth tech companies
- Tech-enabled matching system that shortens hiring cycles
- Strategic partner for AI firms entering new markets
8. theLIONS
theLIONS is a sales recruiting agency built by former tech operators who understand what it takes to scale revenue from zero to IPO. With a strong presence in the Bay Area and nationwide reach, theLIONS focuses on hiring for high-growth startups—including many in the AI and ML space.
Their recruiters have firsthand experience building GTM teams and use a founder-friendly process to support early-stage companies. theLIONS helps place early AEs, first GTM leaders, and revenue ops professionals in organizations selling complex, technical products.
Their philosophy centers on identifying driven, adaptable sellers who can succeed in fast-moving, ambiguous environments—perfect for startups in AI.
What makes theLIONS ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Deep startup experience and understanding of zero-to-one sales motions
- Strong West Coast and venture-backed client base
- Talent pool includes AE, BDR, and GTM leadership candidates
- Ideal for AI companies hiring first or second sales reps
9. Teamable (TopFunnel)
Teamable, now part of TopFunnel, offers AI companies a platform-driven approach to sales recruiting focused on referrals and internal networks. Their tools help unlock candidates hidden in employees’ social networks and optimize outreach through automation.
Teamable’s methodology fits perfectly with the needs of AI companies who want to identify high-quality, passive talent without relying solely on job boards. Their recruiter-enabled platform is particularly effective for repeatable GTM roles, such as SDR, AE, and Solutions Engineer.
With a strong emphasis on diversity and efficiency, Teamable has become a trusted partner for many deep-tech startups and AI infrastructure providers.
What makes Teamable ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Referral-driven talent network powered by smart automation
- High engagement from passive and underrepresented talent
- Scalable solution for repeatable GTM roles
- Strong traction with technical startups and VC-backed companies
10. Pavilion Talent
Pavilion Talent, an extension of the Pavilion GTM community, connects hiring managers with top-tier sales professionals from a vetted membership network. Their recruiters understand the unique nuances of enterprise SaaS and vertical GTM hiring, making them a rising force for AI companies.
Because Pavilion candidates are already invested in learning and growing within sales, hiring managers get access to ambitious, self-motivated sellers. Pavilion Talent is especially valuable for AI organizations looking for experienced AEs, sales consultants, and revenue leaders.
Their process blends community insights with a recruiter-led search to deliver thoughtful, high-fit matches for AI sales hiring.
What makes Pavilion Talent ideal for AI sales hiring:
- Curated access to high-performing, engaged GTM professionals
- Emphasis on learning, networking, and career progression
- Ideal for placing AEs, sales consultants, and GTM leaders
- Deep integration with the broader Pavilion ecosystem
Why Betts Is the Top Choice for AI Sales Hiring
At Betts, we’ve built a hiring model tailored to the unique demands of AI companies. Whether you’re selling AI-native infrastructure, vertical solutions, or enterprise tools, our team understands what high performers look like at every stage—from your first AE to your VP of Sales. And with flexible services, data-driven tools, and one of the largest networks of GTM talent in tech, we’re here to help you scale with confidence.
Ready to build your GTM dream team? Contact Betts here to get started