Engagements & fees
What this costs, and why.
| Engagement | Shape | Typical fee | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Sprint | 4–6 weeks, fixed fee | $25,000 – $45,000 | You know something is wrong and the internal explanations disagree |
| Fractional CTO | 3–12 months, 2–3 days/week | $18,000 – $32,000 / month | You need CTO judgement and cannot yet justify a CTO salary |
| Fractional CGO | 3–12 months, 2–3 days/week | $18,000 – $32,000 / month | Growth has plateaued and nobody owns the number end to end |
| Build engagement | Scoped, milestone-based | Quoted per scope | The assessment is done and something has to get built |
| Advisory | Monthly, limited hours | $4,000 – $8,000 / month | You have a team and want a senior second opinion on call |
Why the sprint comes first
A retainer signed before anyone has looked at the problem is a bet by both parties. The sprint removes the bet. Four to six weeks, a fixed price, and four deliverables: what is actually wrong, what it would take to fix, what fixing it is worth, and a roadmap your own team could execute without us.
A meaningful share of sprints end with a recommendation that does not involve hiring us further. That is a feature. We would rather be the firm that told you the truth in month one than the firm that billed you through month nine.
What is included in a fractional retainer
- Two to three days a week, consistently, with a named day pattern rather than ad-hoc availability
- Direct participation in your leadership meetings and your board reporting
- Hands-on work, not just oversight — architecture, models, funnels, code review, hiring loops
- Recruiting and onboarding your permanent executive, when the plan is to replace the role
- Written decision records for every significant call, which stay with you
What is not included
- A bench of junior people billed against your account
- Media spend, licences, or third-party fees — these are passed through at cost
- Exclusivity. We run a small number of concurrent engagements and say so plainly at the start
Terms
- Retainers are monthly, invoiced in advance, with 30 days' notice to end on either side
- Sprints are 50% on signature, 50% on delivery
- All work product and IP transfers to you. There is no exit fee and no lock-in
- Expenses over $500 are pre-approved in writing
Common questions
Why is a fractional executive not cheaper than a full-time hire?
Per day, it usually is more expensive. The saving is not in the rate — it is that you get a seniority level you could not otherwise recruit, you get it in two weeks rather than five months, and you stop paying for it the month you no longer need it. If you can hire a strong full-time CTO and keep them busy, hire one. We will tell you when that is the right answer.
Can you start with something smaller than a sprint?
Yes. A paid half-day working session is usually enough to tell whether a sprint is warranted, and it is credited against the sprint fee if you proceed.
Do you take equity instead of fees?
Sometimes, in part, where we believe in the business and the stage justifies it. It is never the whole arrangement and it is always a conversation rather than a standard offer.
What size company is this for?
Roughly $5M to $150M in revenue, plus PE- and VC-backed portfolio companies at any size where the board needs an independent read. Below that the fees rarely make sense; above it you generally want someone full-time.
Next step
Start with the cheap question.
Tell me what is happening and what you have already tried. If a sprint is not the right answer, I will say so — and if we are not the right firm, I will point you at who is.