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I'm Karlis, a results-driven executive headhunter and startup advisor who builds bridges between ambitious founders, PE/IB partners, and senior executives across Europe and North America. I combine corporate talent strategy with hands-on product development, drawing on a global athlete mindset to lead teams, close deals, and drive growth. Outside work, I compete as a professional American football player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and resilience to every project. Based in Wroclaw with experience across the DACH and Baltic markets, I help startups scale by aligning people, product, and funding.…I'm Karlis, a results-driven executive headhunter and startup advisor who builds bridges between ambitious founders, PE/IB partners, and senior executives across Europe and North America. I combine corporate talent strategy with hands-on product development, drawing on a global athlete mindset to lead teams, close deals, and drive growth. Outside work, I compete as a professional American football player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and resilience to every project. Based in Wroclaw with experience across the DACH and Baltic markets, I help startups scale by aligning people, product, and funding.

Karlis Gustavs Brauns

Designer, Web Developer, Content Creator, +3

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I'm Karlis, a results-driven executive headhunter and startup advisor who builds bridges between ambitious founders, PE/IB partners, and senior executives across Europe and North America. I combine corporate talent strategy with hands-on product development, drawing on a global athlete mindset to lead teams, close deals, and drive growth. Outside work, I compete as a professional American football player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and resilience to every project. Based in Wroclaw with experience across the DACH and Baltic markets, I help startups scale by aligning people, product, and funding.…I'm Karlis, a results-driven executive headhunter and startup advisor who builds bridges between ambitious founders, PE/IB partners, and senior executives across Europe and North America. I combine corporate talent strategy with hands-on product development, drawing on a global athlete mindset to lead teams, close deals, and drive growth. Outside work, I compete as a professional American football player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and resilience to every project. Based in Wroclaw with experience across the DACH and Baltic markets, I help startups scale by aligning people, product, and funding.

Available to hire

I’m Karlis, a results-driven executive headhunter and startup advisor who builds bridges between ambitious founders, PE/IB partners, and senior executives across Europe and North America. I combine corporate talent strategy with hands-on product development, drawing on a global athlete mindset to lead teams, close deals, and drive growth.

Outside work, I compete as a professional American football player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and resilience to every project. Based in Wroclaw with experience across the DACH and Baltic markets, I help startups scale by aligning people, product, and funding.

Skills

Actor Showreel

Copywriting

Experience Level

Actor Showreel

Expert

Copywriting

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Russian

Fluent

Latvian

Fluent

German

Beginner

Work Experience

Executive Headhunter at Cain&Mann

October 1, 2024 - October 1, 2024

Built the Frankfurt office, led a team of 5 recruiters, trained most of our initial hires. Focused on Investment Banking, Private Equity and C-level roles in portfolio companies of investment firms. Negotiated directly with CEOs and Directors of Private Equity firms and investment banks in DACH and UK. Secured exclusive partnership with a growing PE fund based in Cologne. Recruited Head of DAC from Deutsche Bank. Implemented new marketing techniques and tools to drive growth and increase transparency and data retention, enabling faster cross-team collaboration.

Executive Headhunter at ACL Partners

February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2021

Responsibilities were similar at a more junior level; built market knowledge and client network. Worked on deal sourcing and senior-level placements across London and Riga.

Startup Consultant at Self Employed

January 1, 2020 - November 10, 2025

DACH and Baltic region consulting based on prior recruiting experience; helps startups reach financing, consults on product strategy, and occasionally contributes as a developer on passion projects.

Co-Founder at RITU Riga

May 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019

Co-founded a mobility tech project; built a team, raised €40k; pivoted after a year toward different projects; early years included development work, later moved to business development and fundraising.

Professional Athlete at CFL, ELF, GFL, XFL (Latvia, Germany, Canada, US, Poland, etc.)

December 31, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Built a professional American Football career across multiple leagues globally. Served as league leader and captain on multiple teams.

Professional Athlete at Various leagues and teams (CFL, ELF, GFL, XFL; Latvia, Germany, Canada, US, Poland)

January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025

Built a professional American Football player career globally; league leader and captain on multiple teams.

Co-Founder at RITU

May 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019

Co-founded mobility tech project; raised 40k EUR; pivoted to other projects; focused on business development and fundraising; originally also contributed as a developer.