Fractional AI for Startups
Senior AI strategy and hands-on technical execution for pre-seed and seed startups, without the full-time salary
Built for founders building AI-first products or integrating AI into their core offering
Book a Founder CallThe Hiring Math Doesn't Work at Pre-Seed
A full-time AI/ML engineering lead costs $250–350K+ in salary and equity. Most early-stage startups need senior AI expertise but can't justify the headcount.
Full-Time AI Hire
- ✗$250–350K+ annual salary + equity
- ✗3–6 month hiring process
- ✗Difficult to evaluate without deep technical network
- ✗Locked in before product-market fit
Fractional AI Partner
- ✓A fraction of the cost of a full-time hire
- ✓Start this week, not next quarter
- ✓Enterprise-tested expertise from day one
- ✓Month-to-month. Scale up or down as you grow
What You Get
Senior-level AI leadership adapted to the pace and constraints of early-stage startups
Technical Strategy
Architecture decisions, build-vs-buy analysis, vendor evaluation, and technology roadmapping grounded in what actually ships.
- System architecture and design reviews
- LLM and AI vendor selection
- Technical roadmap for next 6–12 months
Hands-On Execution
Prototyping, code reviews, and implementation support to move fast without accumulating technical debt.
- Rapid prototyping and MVP development
- Code and architecture reviews
- AI/ML pipeline design and implementation
Founder Support
Investor-ready technical narratives, hiring guidance, and the strategic context to make confident decisions.
- Technical diligence preparation
- First AI/ML hire evaluation and onboarding
- Board and investor technical presentations
Engagement Tiers
Month-to-month. No long-term contracts. Scale up or down as your startup grows.
Advisor
$3,000/month
Strategic guidance for founders who have engineering talent but need senior AI direction.
- ✓ Weekly strategy calls (1 hr)
- ✓ Architecture and design reviews
- ✓ Vendor and build-vs-buy guidance
- ✓ Async Slack/email support
Best for: Founders with a technical team who need a senior AI sounding board
Builder
$5,000/month
Strategy plus hands-on execution, for teams that need an AI lead who ships.
- ✓ Everything in Advisor
- ✓ Rapid prototyping and MVP development
- ✓ Code reviews and pair programming
- ✓ AI/ML pipeline design
- ✓ ~10 hours/month hands-on
Best for: Pre-seed startups building AI-first products
Operating Partner
$10,000+/month
Embedded AI leadership: the fractional CTO/AI lead your startup needs.
- ✓ Everything in Builder
- ✓ Technical diligence preparation
- ✓ Investor and board presentations
- ✓ First AI/ML hire evaluation
- ✓ Architecture ownership and roadmapping
- ✓ ~25+ hours/month embedded
Best for: Seed-stage startups preparing for Series A • Equity arrangements available
Recent Startup Engagements
PolicyEdge AI
Translated complex regulatory documentation into a clear AI architecture and execution plan. Built targeted prototypes that retired critical technical unknowns, enabling the team to advance with confidence.
“His work brought clarity, momentum, and credibility at a pivotal stage.” - Christina Heintze Seavers, Founder & CEO
Whop
Built content moderation, fraud detection, and foundational data platforms. Led data strategy and operational consulting to align business decisions around data during rapid scaling to $1.6B valuation.
- • Content moderation & fraud detection
- • Data platform & strategy
- • Executive advisory
Built for Founders Who Move Fast
This isn't advisory from the sidelines. It's an operating partner who builds alongside you.
We Build Our Own Products
We actively build and validate AI-powered ventures, so we know what it takes to go from zero to one. Not theory. Real product decisions, real tradeoffs, real shipping.
Enterprise DNA, Startup Speed
Experience from JPMorgan, Bridgewater, CVS, and S&P Global means you get architecture that scales, without over-engineering at the seed stage.
Flexible Engagement Models
Month-to-month fractional retainer. No long-term contracts. Scale hours up as you grow, pause when you need to. Equity arrangements available for the right fit.
Aligned Incentives
We succeed when you succeed. Open to equity-based arrangements for high-conviction partnerships. We want to be invested in your outcome, not just billing hours.
How It Works
Founder Call (30 min)
We discuss your product, technical challenges, and where senior AI expertise would have the most impact. No pitch deck required, just an honest conversation.
Scope & Start
We define priorities for the first month and agree on engagement terms. Most engagements start within a week of the initial call.
Ship & Iterate
Weekly cadence with clear deliverables. Architecture decisions, working prototypes, and technical strategy that moves your product forward every month.
Ready to Move Faster?
Limited fractional slots available. Book a 30-minute founder call to discuss your startup and see if there's a fit.