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Franziska Palumbo-Seidel

Franziska Palumbo-Seidel

Partner | FinTech, Enterprise & Board Leadership

Founding Partner | C-Suite & Board Search

Franziska is the Founding Partner of Key Search and one of Europe's most experienced C-level, N-1, and Board search specialists in FinTech, Enterprise Software, and Investor-backed leadership. Over 15 years she has placed transformative CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CMOs, CROs, CHROs, CDOs, VP Engineering, VP Product, VP Sales, M&A Directors and many more Heads of functions reporting into the C-level, at companies that defined the FinTech revolution — from Klarna and TransferWise in their early days to today's challengers across banking, financial services, insurance, trading, blockchain, and crypto. Her Enterprise & AI Native Software practice spans category leaders and new disruptors alike, with placements at F5 Networks, Dataiku, Miro, Shopify, and Neptune Software. Franziska has a long-standing and trusted relationship with the VC and PE community, having hired for both VCs and Private Equity firms like Redalpine, Speedinvest, Cipio Partners, Headline, Founderful, Atomico, and Elvaston — as well as into their portfolio companies. Based in Switzerland, she is deeply embedded in the Swiss ecosystem and has led numerous transatlantic searches, supporting European companies expanding to the US and US firms entering European markets. A German national fluent in English, German, French, and Italian, Franziska brings rare cultural range to senior mandates. Beyond search, she is actively involved in initiatives promoting female founders, female board representation in Switzerland and DEI programmes across the industry.

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Trusted by

KlarnaScalapayTaxifxDataikuNeptune SoftwareWiretyntecfounderfulSpeedinvestRedalpineCipio PartnersElvaston

Specialties

Industries

Practice Areas

Geographic Focus

Europe · Transatlantic · Switzerland · Nordics · Italy · Czechia

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QuoIntelligence

Antonio

QuoIntelligence

Franziska is one of the best networked digital exec search specialists out there. I have been lucky enough to see her work from both sides of the pitch, candidate and client, and she is a thorough headhunter that truly takes her time to partner with the business and learn everything she can about it.

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Articles by Franziska Palumbo-Seidel

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You should speak with Franziska if…

  • 1You are a FinTech, banking, financial services, insurance, trading, blockchain, or crypto company looking to hire a CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CMO, CRO, CHRO, CDO, or any senior N-1 leader who can operate at scale.
  • 2You are an Enterprise Software or AI Native Software company — from established players like F5 Networks or Dataiku to new disruptors — and need VP Engineering, VP Product, VP Sales, an M&A Director, or a Head of function reporting into the C-level.
  • 3You are a VC or Private Equity firm — or a portfolio company of funds like Redalpine, Speedinvest, Cipio Partners, Headline, Founderful, Atomico, or Elvaston — looking to professionalise leadership ahead of a funding round, growth phase, or exit.
  • 4You are a founder preparing to step back from day-to-day operations and need a CEO or COO who can carry the mission forward.
  • 5You are a board or investor looking to place a Non-Executive Director or Board member — including as part of a diversity or female board representation initiative in Switzerland or across Europe.
  • 6You are a Swiss company expanding internationally, or a US or European firm entering new markets, and need a search partner with proven transatlantic reach and a deep Swiss ecosystem network.
  • 7You care about DEI and want a search partner who actively champions female founders, diverse leadership pipelines, and inclusive hiring practices — not just on paper.
  • 8You value a long-term search partner who will challenge your thinking throughout — not just deliver a shortlist.
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