In 2025, we were selected to support a global AI data collection initiative for a major technology company. The project focused on training and improving biometric recognition systems that were struggling to accurately distinguish between the hand features of identical twins.
The challenge was straightforward on paper, but extremely complex in practice: recruit 100 pairs of identical twins in Latam and collect biometric data using specialized equipment shipped from China.
At the beginning, even we questioned how feasible the project would be. Identical twins are a highly specific and relatively uncommon population. Within our own networks, most of us knew only a handful of twin pairs.
Instead of relying on traditional recruitment methods, we launched a nationwide outreach effort. We activated social media campaigns, leveraged community networks, contacted local organizations, distributed flyers, and even appeared twice on national news broadcasts. Every lead mattered. One twin often led us to another, and slowly a nationwide network began to emerge.
The results exceeded expectations.
Not only did we successfully achieve the original target of 100 twin pairs, but our performance led the client to expand our quota. While other vendors were struggling to meet their recruitment goals, our team was entrusted with an additional 50 pairs, bringing the final target to 150 pairs of identical twins (300 participants).
Recruitment was only part of the challenge. Once participants were identified, our field teams traveled across multiple cities throughout Honduras, transporting biometric scanning equipment and coordinating data collection sessions nationwide.
After four months of intensive recruitment and field operations, the project was completed successfully.
Today, this remains one of the most specialized recruitment projects we have ever executed. More importantly, it reinforced a lesson that continues to define how we approach research operations: the harder the audience is to find, the more creative, persistent, and resourceful recruitment must become.
If we can successfully locate and recruit 150 pairs of identical twins across an entire country, we are confident that no target audience is out of reach.