Build your advisory board or find your next board member

What does an advisory board do?

An advisory board gives a company's founders and leadership team strategic advice, introductions and expertise they don't have in-house. It pressure-tests strategy, opens doors to customers, partners and investors, fills sector or market gaps and supports fundraising. It has no vote and no legal duties: the founders or the board of directors still make the decisions.

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's Turnkey service costs from €1,900 ($2,200) for startups, from €3,900 ($4,500) for scaleups, and from €5,900 ($6,900) for established companies, paid only if you start working with someone Boardio found. Advisory board members are typically compensated with a retainer or 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 12k+ candidates across 120 countries, cross-border board searches are one of Boardio's core strengths. Start a search to see available candidates.