Support
Frequently asked questions
Everything about finding advisors and board members, pricing, the Growth Guarantee, and joining Boardio — for companies, advisors, portfolio operators, and consultants.
For Companies
Growth Guarantee
Portfolio Scan
Consulting Partners
For Advisors
Advisor Plus
Advisor Priority
Verified Advisor
Work with Boardio
For companies
Finding and working with advisors
Boardio helps companies find skilled advisors and board members globally to support business growth, market entry, funding, and other strategic goals. You post your search and advisors from our network of 12k professionals across 120 countries apply directly — every application signals genuine interest in your specific opportunity. Boardio then selects the strongest applicants and presents them for your review. Turnkey manages the whole process for you — you only pay if you start working with an advisor we found. See below for details.
| Turnkey — from €1,900 |
|---|
| Fully managed by Boardio, end-to-end |
| Advisors apply to your search — Boardio curates a shortlist and organises Interview Day |
| You review candidates before committing |
| Pay only if you start working with an advisor we found |
| Success fee — pay only on success |
| Pre-revenue startups qualify for a discounted fee |
| 100% Growth Guarantee included |
Learn more: Turnkey · Full pricing
An advisory board is an informal group of experienced individuals who support a company's leadership with strategic guidance, industry knowledge, and introductions. Unlike a formal board of directors, an advisory board has no legal authority or fiduciary duties — it exists purely to help the company grow. Members typically commit 2–4 days per month and are compensated with equity, a small retainer, or both. Most startups build their advisory board gradually, starting with one or two advisors in the areas where they need the most help.
| Advisor | Board member |
|---|---|
| Informal role, no legal authority | Formal governance role with legal responsibilities |
| No fiduciary duties | Fiduciary duties to shareholders |
| Flexible, part-time commitment (2–4 days/month) | More structured commitment — board meetings plus preparation |
| Typically equity and/or small retainer | Board fee and/or equity, usually higher than advisors |
| Focus on specific areas: market entry, sales, fundraising | Guides overall company strategy and direction |
Advisor compensation is agreed directly between you and the advisor — Boardio does not take a cut. Typical arrangements include:
- Equity: 0.1–0.5% for early-stage companies, usually with a 1–2 year vesting schedule.
- Monthly retainer: €500–€2,000 depending on time commitment and seniority.
- Combination: a smaller equity stake plus a modest monthly fee is common as companies grow.
Many advisors prefer equity-heavy arrangements at early stage. See our blog post on advisor compensation for real figures and global benchmarks.
The most effective way is to post a search through a platform like Boardio, where interested advisors apply directly to your brief. This ensures everyone you speak to has read your specific situation and expressed genuine interest — unlike searching a database or LinkedIn where you reach out cold.
Other routes include asking investors or existing advisors for introductions, attending startup events, or approaching people who have solved the exact problem you are facing. Start a free search here →
Other routes include asking investors or existing advisors for introductions, attending startup events, or approaching people who have solved the exact problem you are facing. Start a free search here →
Our network consists of over 12k professionals from 120 countries, including ex-founders, industry experts, investors, and business development specialists. Advisors apply to specific searches, so every profile you receive represents someone who has read your brief. See example profiles by country: Germany · UK · United States · Nordics · France · Spain · Benelux.
Common use cases include opening doors to clients and partners, entering new markets, getting funded, building a sales network, improving operations, or preparing for an acquisition. See our pillar pages: market entry advisors · startup advisors · advisory boards.
Turnkey — from €1,900 success fee. Boardio runs everything end-to-end. You only pay if you start working with an advisor we found. Same price for advisor and board member searches, and pre-revenue startups qualify for a discounted fee.
Includes the 100% Growth Guarantee. See full pricing details →
Includes the 100% Growth Guarantee. See full pricing details →
Yes. Standard Turnkey pricing starts from €1,900, and pre-revenue startups qualify for a further discounted success fee — just ask your local Boardio representative.
Yes. We provide templates (like the Founder Institute FAST agreement) and best practices. See our blog post on advisor compensation.
No. Many companies start by interviewing several advisors and even work with multiple on a trial basis before finalizing ongoing cooperation.
On average we receive around 15 applications per search, typically within 2–4 weeks. Timing varies depending on the role, location, and newsletter cycle.
| Advisors | Consultants |
|---|---|
| Long-term collaborators with skin in the game | Short-term problem solvers |
| Often join for equity or performance-based rewards | Typically charge high fees for time-limited engagements |
| Help you grow, connect you with their network, act as sounding boards | Deliver analysis and recommendations, then move on |
| Flexible engagement (e.g. 2–4 days/month) | Often fixed-scope, high-intensity work |
| Work side-by-side with your team over time | Work independently, with limited team integration |
- More affordable and committed over the long term.
- They bring not just knowledge but networks, hands-on experience, and genuine interest.
- Many are former founders or execs who've "done it before" and want to stay engaged — not bill hourly.
Board members
Yes, absolutely. Many companies use Boardio to find external board members with relevant experience and networks who complement their existing board. Learn more about board member searches.
You can find individuals with experience in international expansion, fundraising, scaling operations, industry-specific expertise, or governance.
The process is essentially the same — you post your search, candidates apply directly, and Boardio selects the strongest applicants. The difference is you specify a board member search, and we target candidates with relevant board experience.
Yes, typically a compensation package including a board fee, equity, or both, agreed between you and the candidate. We provide a contract template and best practices.
Yes. Some clients use Boardio to build or expand their board with multiple members — just let us know and we can structure the search accordingly.
100% growth guarantee
The 100% Growth Guarantee applies to every Turnkey search when purchased at full list price. If the advisor you started working with is not meeting your pre-agreed goals, Boardio will run a new search at no extra cost. It is not a performance guarantee — results depend on both the advisor and the company — but it means you are never left without a next step.
Boardio does not guarantee advisor performance directly, as results depend on both the advisor and the company. However, under the 100% Growth Guarantee, if the advisor isn't delivering against clearly defined, pre-agreed objectives within the first 3–6 months — and you can provide supporting evidence — Boardio runs a new search at no additional cost.
If your selected advisor fails to deliver on clearly defined, pre-agreed goals within the first 3–6 months, Boardio will run a new search at no additional cost. This applies to Turnkey when purchased at full list price.
Yes. The 100% Growth Guarantee is included with every Turnkey search at full list price — no extra steps needed.
No — there are no hidden fees, no long-term lock-ins. If your advisor isn't working out, we run a new search at no extra cost.
The Growth Guarantee is available only in selected countries. Check with your local Boardio representative to confirm it applies to your region.
For advisors
Joining and working on Boardio
Simply sign up for free at boardio.com/advisors, complete your profile, and apply to any opportunity that interests you.
No. Boardio uses LinkedIn-only sign-in. This keeps onboarding simple and fast, and helps maintain a high-quality network. Only your email, name, and profile photo are used from LinkedIn.
Most companies are startups or scaleups looking for help with international expansion, fundraising, or strategic growth. Browse open opportunities.
Yes — but make sure your application is tailored to each role. Avoid generic or AI-generated submissions. See our blog post on how to write a perfect application.
No. Advisor accounts and applications are free. Advisor Plus and Advisor Priority are optional paid plans that boost visibility and unlock Plus/Priority-only searches.
Compensation is agreed directly with the company — cash (retainer or performance-based), equity, or a mix.
Most advisor roles involve 2–4 days of work per month, often remote — sharing expertise, opening doors, and helping companies make better strategic decisions.
You'll get a confirmation. If the company wants to speak with you, we'll reach out — usually within a few weeks. If not selected, you're still welcome to apply to other roles.
Advisor Plus
Advisor Plus is a monthly subscription (€39/month) that unlocks every opportunity on Boardio, makes your full profile visible to all companies browsing Boardio, lets companies contact you directly, and shows your complete profile on every application. Learn more at boardio.com/advisor-plus.
- Apply to every opportunity: including searches reserved for Plus and Priority members.
- Complete profile on every application: every company you apply to sees your full background.
- Visible to all companies browsing Boardio: not only when you apply.
- Companies can contact you directly on People.
€39/month, with an annual plan at a lower effective rate. No hidden fees, cancel anytime.
No. Paid plans give extra visibility — they do not affect selection decisions, which are based entirely on your profile and application.
| Advisor Plus, €39/month | Advisor Priority, €99/month |
|---|---|
| Apply to every opportunity | Everything in Plus |
| Complete profile on every application | Match alerts for new searches |
| Visible to all companies browsing Boardio | Personal match scan (top 3 fits at signup) |
| Companies can contact you directly | Priority listing on People |
| Advisor spotlight (blog and newsletter) | |
| Verified Advisor session included (€149 value) |
Yes, in account settings at any time. Benefits remain active until the end of the current billing period.
Advisor Priority
A monthly premium package (€99/month) that includes everything in Advisor Plus, then adds match alerts, a top 3 scan, Priority listing on People, an advisor spotlight, and an included Verified Advisor session (valued at €149).
- Everything in Plus: apply everywhere, browsing visibility, direct contact, full profile on apply.
- Match alerts: notified when new searches match your profile.
- Personal match scan: top 3 fits at signup.
- Priority listing on People.
- Advisor spotlight: blog interview and newsletter promotion.
- Verified Advisor call: 30-minute session with a Boardio expert.
€99/month, including the Verified Advisor session (normally €149 on its own).
- Advisor Priority includes everything in Plus, match alerts, Priority listing, spotlight, and the Verified Advisor call (€99/month).
- Verified Advisor is a one-time purchase (€149) giving a Verified Badge for 12 months: credibility, not listing visibility.
Yes. Free advisor accounts can apply to the large majority of opportunities on Boardio. A limited number are reserved for Advisor Plus and Priority members — either paid plan gives you access to those as well, on top of the visibility benefits. Selection itself is always based on your profile and application, never on which plan you're on.
Yes, in account settings at any time. Benefits remain active for the rest of your billing cycle.
Verified Advisor
Verified Advisor is a one-time package (€149) giving you personalised feedback on your Boardio and LinkedIn profiles, plus a Verified Advisor Badge for 12 months. Learn more at boardio.com/verified-advisor.
- 30-minute 1:1 feedback session reviewing your LinkedIn and Boardio profiles.
- Profile optimisation tips.
- Insight into how companies choose advisors.
- Verified Advisor Badge for 12 months, visible to every company.
- Complete your payment — one-time €149 fee, then book your session.
- Your 1:1 feedback session with a Boardio expert.
- Badge applied to your profile for 12 months.
A one-time fee of €149. No subscription, no recurring cost. Valid for 12 months.
| Verified Advisor, €149 one-time | Advisor Priority, €99/month |
|---|---|
| One-time purchase, no subscription | Monthly subscription |
| 30-minute 1:1 profile feedback session | Includes a Verified Advisor call (€149 value) |
| Badge for 12 months | Everything in Plus, plus match alerts and Priority listing |
| Increases credibility | Advisor spotlight feature |
| Does not affect listing visibility | Priority listing on People |
- Experienced professionals entering advisory seriously who aren't sure their profile communicates it clearly.
- Active advisors who haven't landed the right opportunities yet and want honest feedback.
Portfolio Scan
Growth diagnostic for portfolio operators
A free, structured growth diagnostic for VCs, accelerators, holding companies, and other portfolio operators. Boardio meets with each portfolio company, maps growth priorities and bottlenecks, and delivers a written brief per company plus a portfolio-level summary. Learn more at boardio.com/portfolio-scan.
- Per-company brief — growth priorities, bottlenecks, and an advisor recommendation.
- Portfolio summary — cross-portfolio themes and recurring patterns.
- Priority shortlist — the top 5 companies for advisor engagement, ranked by urgency.
It's completely free, with no commitment required.
Any entity that manages or supports multiple companies — VC funds, accelerators, incubators, holding companies, and family offices — for portfolios from around 5 up to 20 companies.
- You send us a list of portfolio companies with basic context.
- Boardio schedules a 30-minute call with each company.
- We write a structured brief per company.
- You receive the full scan within 5 business days of the last call.
Yes — available for portfolios of up to 20 companies. Larger portfolios can get in touch to discuss a structured engagement.
Yes. The briefs are formatted to be shared directly with founders.
The scan stands on its own. When ready, Boardio can run a search via Turnkey, or via the VC & Portfolio track.
Consulting Partners
Using Boardio as a consultant or advisory firm
A service for consultants, advisory firms, and management consultants to tap into Boardio's network of 12k advisors globally. Learn more at boardio.com/consulting.
- Strengthen your own team on a client assignment.
- Source an advisor for your client.
- Win work you couldn't take on before by showing you can assemble the right expertise.
- Single search — €890 — one full search, prepaid.
- Consulting Partner bundle — €2,200 — three searches valid for 12 months (~18% savings).
All prices exclude VAT.
Brief scoping, advisor outreach, shortlisting, and candidate coordination from 12k professionals across 120 countries and 30+ industries — typically a shortlist within two weeks, handled by a named account manager.
Yes. Every Consulting Partner gets a named account manager — the same person each time.
All Consulting Partner plans include a re-search guarantee — a new search at no additional cost, no questions asked.
Yes. Boardio can stay discreet, or be presented as your named search partner — it's entirely your call.
Book a short intro call at boardio.com/consulting.
Work with Boardio
Joining as Ambassador or Country Manager
A Boardio Ambassador refers companies from their network to Boardio and earns 30% of Boardio's revenue when a referral converts. No sales work required, no minimum activity. Learn more at boardio.com/ambassador.
A Country Manager actively represents Boardio in a specific country, region, or vertical — building relationships, qualifying and closing deals — earning 70% of the revenue from deals they close, starting with a structured pilot. Learn more at boardio.com/country-manager.
| Ambassador | Country Manager / Ecosystem Lead |
|---|---|
| Refers companies from their network | Actively builds pipeline and closes deals |
| Low commitment — occasional referrals | Higher commitment — ongoing, territory-focused |
| 30% revenue share per referral | 70% revenue share on all deals closed |
| No pilot period required | Starts with a structured pilot period |
| No geographic exclusivity | Owns a defined country, region, or vertical |
No. You can apply directly for Country Manager or Ecosystem Lead — no Ambassador phase required. Every Country Manager starts with a pilot period either way.
A defined period where you actively represent Boardio, building early relationships and closing first deals. You earn the full 70% share from day one.
The same role with different scope. A Country Manager focuses on a single country. An Ecosystem Lead may cover a broader region or industry vertical. Both earn 70%.
No. Both roles are purely commission-based. There is no salary, no retainer, and no upfront cost.
Visit boardio.com/join to see both options. For Ambassador, use boardio.com/ambassador. For Country Manager / Ecosystem Lead, apply at boardio.com/country-manager.
Still have questions?
Talk to one of our local representatives — we're happy to help.
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