For Leonardo Tognetti, recruitment is not just about filling roles—it’s about building meaningful relationships and helping startups scale with the right people at the right time. Originally from Argentina, now based in the UK, Leonardo is the Founder of HCR, a specialized recruitment and headhunting firm supporting startups and scale-ups across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. His journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a deep belief in consistency. At Humans of Fuzia, we are proud to feature Leonardo’s inspiring story, showcasing how his global experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and people-first mindset contribute to creating inclusive, high-performing teams. Our 5 million-strong global community celebrates leaders like Leonardo, who embody the values of collaboration, growth, and He for She.
Tell us a little about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m originally from Argentina, but I’ve lived across Europe—in Spain, Italy, and for the past 15 years, in the UK. Moving around taught me adaptability and gave me a global perspective. Over time, I realized I enjoyed being that connector—the person in the middle making things work between companies and candidates. Recruitment naturally aligned with my strengths—building relationships, learning from people, and understanding industries, especially tech and startups. In 2019, I founded my own firm, HCR, combining my recruitment expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset.
What does your business, HCR, focus on?
HCR operates in two areas. First, traditional headhunting for senior and executive roles, particularly for startups and tech companies. The second is fractional recruitment, which means stepping in as an embedded recruiter for early-stage companies, like seed or Series A startups, to help design and manage the entire hiring process. Often, companies have great ideas but lack structured recruitment processes. That’s where I help—aligning internal teams, improving interview processes, and ensuring they attract the right talent without committing to full-time recruitment costs upfront.
Who are your ideal clients?
I mainly work with startups and scale-ups across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., focusing on tech, product, and some senior-level sales roles. Most of the positions I fill are VP level or higher. I work with businesses ready to scale but who understand the value of having the right process and people in place from the start.
How do people usually find you and your services?
LinkedIn is my primary platform, especially for tech-focused recruitment. Since many of my clients are not based near me—I live in Brighton, England—LinkedIn helps bridge that distance. But beyond that, word of mouth is powerful. Relationships built over time often lead to new opportunities. For example, someone I placed years ago might now be hiring their own team and reach out. Recruitment is all about building connections, staying consistent, and showing up—even when results take time.
What challenges have you faced as a founder?
Staying informed is key. When working with startups, you need to track funding rounds and anticipate hiring needs before roles even go public. Success often depends on relationships, partnerships, and constantly communicating with people. Another challenge is consistency—whether business is booming or slow, staying visible, motivated, and connected is essential. Over time, those conversations and connections open doors.
What are your short-term goals for this year?
This year, I want to continue growing my client base and building strong partnerships. Business growth has been steady, but in the next year or so, I plan to expand my team. The long-term goal is to step back from daily operations and focus more on strategy while others lead the company’s day-to-day work.
What advice would you give to women professionals or entrepreneurs?
I believe in creating equal opportunities for everyone—what matters is having the right person for the job, regardless of gender. For those applying for roles, especially in today’s competitive market, don’t rely on sending 100 applications and hoping for a callback. Instead, be strategic. Focus on fewer positions but prepare deeply—understand the company, the challenges they face, and demonstrate how you can solve those problems from day one. That preparation and focus set you apart.
“Stay consistent, keep building relationships, and never underestimate the power of showing up—even when progress feels slow, every conversation moves you forward.”
Connect with Leonardo Tognetti:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leotognetti-fractional-recruiter-product-tech/
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
