Advisory Board & Board Members
Build your advisory board or find your next board member
Whether you need a working advisory board or a single experienced board member, Boardio matches you with the right people from a global network of 11,000+ advisors. Pay only when you find the right fit.
What we help with
Advisory boards and board members — what's the difference?
Boardio covers both. Here's when each is the right choice for your company.
Advisory Board Members
An advisory board is a group of experienced individuals who provide strategic guidance without formal governance responsibility. Advisory board members are non-fiduciary — they advise, challenge, and open doors, but don't hold legal board seats.
- Strategic guidance from sector or market experts
- No fiduciary responsibility or legal liability
- Typically compensated with equity (0.1–0.5%) or a small retainer
- Faster to engage — no formal appointment process
- Common at seed and Series A stage
External Board Members
An external board member holds a formal seat on your company's board of directors. They carry fiduciary responsibility, participate in formal board meetings, and are typically brought in to strengthen governance, add credibility, or bring specific strategic experience.
- Formal board seat with fiduciary duties
- Strengthens governance and investor confidence
- Typically compensated with equity plus a meeting fee or retainer
- Longer-term commitment than advisory roles
- Common at Series A+ or when preparing for exit
How it works
Simple, risk-free process
From brief to shortlist in 2–4 weeks. Start free with Connect or let Boardio run the full process with Turnkey Search.
Share your company stage, sector, and what kind of expertise or governance experience you're looking for. Advisory board or formal board seat — we handle both.
Boardio searches its network of 11,000+ and presents a curated shortlist. Candidates apply directly to your search — you see real profiles, not just CVs.
Review applicants and decide who to engage at your own pace. With Self-service Connect, you manage this yourself. With Turnkey Search, Boardio curates the shortlist for you.
Further reading
Guides on advisory boards and board members
Practical articles to help you build your advisory board and find the right board members.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an advisory board and a board of directors?
An advisory board is informal — members provide strategic guidance without fiduciary responsibility or legal liability. A board of directors is formal, with legal duties and voting rights. Most startups build an advisory board first, then add formal board members as they grow.
How much does it cost to find an advisory board member or board member?
Finding candidates through Boardio costs €890 (self-service Connect) or from €3,900 (turnkey full-service search). Advisory board members are typically compensated with 0.1–0.5% equity. Formal board members usually receive equity plus a meeting fee or annual retainer.
How many advisory board members does a startup need?
Most early-stage companies start with 2–4 advisory board members covering different areas — typically one for the core market, one for the target expansion market, and one with fundraising experience. Quality matters more than quantity.
Can Boardio find board members outside my home country?
Yes — 90% of companies using Boardio seek advisors and board members outside their home market. With 11,000+ candidates across 110 countries, cross-border board searches are one of Boardio's core strengths. Start a free search to see available candidates.
