Connect — €890	Turnkey — from €3,900
Self-service	Fully managed by Boardio
Advisors apply to your search — Boardio selects three profiles to open for free, plus anonymous summaries of all other qualified applicants	Boardio runs the full search end-to-end and presents a curated shortlist
Pay €890 to unlock full profiles of all remaining applicants	Pay only if you start working with an advisor we found
You manage the selection process yourself	Boardio curates the shortlist and organises Interview Day
Flat one-time fee, no success fee	Success fee — pay only on success
100% Growth Guarantee included	100% Growth Guarantee included

In both cases the 100% Growth Guarantee means: if your advisor isn't working out, we run a new search at no extra cost.


Learn more: Connect · 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

For most startups and scaleups, advisors are the faster and more practical starting point. Learn more about advisory boards and startup advisors.

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. Cash retainers become more common when the advisor is committing significant time. 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 to people who may not be available or interested.


Other routes include asking investors or existing advisors for introductions, attending startup events, or approaching people who have solved the exact problem you are currently facing. The key in any case is specificity — the clearer you are about what you need, the better the quality of response. Start a free search here →

Our network consists of over 11,000 professionals from 110 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 and expressed genuine interest in working with your company. 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. Whatever your goal, we help you find someone who's "done it before." See our pillar pages: market entry advisors · startup advisors · advisory boards.

There are two options:


Connect — €890 flat fee. Advisors apply directly to your search. Boardio selects three profiles to open for you at no cost, plus you receive anonymous summaries of all other qualified applicants. Pay €890 to unlock full profiles of all remaining applicants and manage the selection yourself. No success fee. 100% Growth Guarantee included.


Turnkey — from €3,900 success fee. Boardio runs everything end-to-end. You only pay if you start working with an advisor we found. 100% Growth Guarantee included.


In both cases the guarantee means: if your advisor isn't working out, we run a new search at no extra cost.


See full pricing details →

Yes. While our standard Turnkey service is priced at €3,900, we understand that early-phase startups may have limited budgets. If you're a small team in the early stages, you can request access to a streamlined version of our service at a lower success fee.

Yes. We provide templates (like the Founder Institute FAST agreement) and best practices. Typical compensation includes a retainer fee, success-based bonuses, or equity. Please 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.

Absolutely. Boardio's strength is its global reach. Whether you need someone in Germany, India, or Monaco, we likely have advisors with relevant local expertise and networks. Browse example profiles by location: Germany · UK · United States · Nordics · France · Spain · Benelux.

Advisors and consultants both offer expertise — but how they engage is very different:

Advisors	Consultants
Long-term collaborators with skin in the game	Short-term problem solvers
Often join as strategic partners, sometimes for equity or performance-based rewards	Typically charge high fees for time-limited engagements
Help you grow, connect you with their network, and 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

Why advisors are often better for startups and scaleups:

• 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.

If you're looking for ongoing, flexible, and cost-effective expertise, an advisor is often a better fit than a consultant. Learn more about startup advisors →

Yes, absolutely. Many companies use Boardio to find external board members with relevant experience and networks. We help you find candidates who understand your business, bring strategic insight, and complement your 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. Boardio focuses on finding the right fit based on your company's stage and strategic needs.

The process is essentially the same: you post your search, interested candidates apply directly, and Boardio selects the strongest applicants to present for your review. The main difference is that you specify you're looking for a board member, and we target candidates with relevant board experience.

Yes, typically. Most board members expect a compensation package that may include a board fee, equity, or both. The details are fully up to you and the candidate to agree upon. We also provide a contract template and best practices to support you.

Yes. Some clients use Boardio to build or expand their board with multiple members. If you're looking for several candidates, just let us know — we can structure the search accordingly.

The 100% Growth Guarantee applies to both Connect and Turnkey 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 (included with both Connect and Turnkey), if the advisor you selected is not delivering against clearly defined, pre-agreed objectives within the first 3–6 months — and you can provide supporting evidence — Boardio will run 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 both Connect and Turnkey when purchased at full list price.

Yes. The 100% Growth Guarantee is included with both Connect and Turnkey. If the advisor you started working with is not meeting your pre-agreed goals, Boardio will run a new search at no extra cost.

No — there are no hidden fees, no long-term lock-ins. The Growth Guarantee is a straightforward, risk-reduced commitment: 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. To confirm whether it applies to your region, please check with your local Boardio representative.

Simply sign up for free at boardio.com/advisors, complete your profile, and apply to any opportunity that interests you. Companies review applications and may contact you for interviews.

No. Boardio uses LinkedIn-only sign-in. This keeps onboarding simple and fast, and helps maintain a high-quality network by reducing fake or anonymous profiles. The only data we use from your LinkedIn profile is your email, name, and profile photo.

Most companies are startups or scaleups looking for help with international expansion, fundraising, or strategic growth. Roles range from informal advisors to board members or interim executives. Browse open opportunities.

Yes — but make sure your application is tailored to each role. Avoid generic or AI-generated submissions. Companies want to see genuine interest. See our blog post on how to write a perfect application.

No. Advisor accounts and applications are free. There is an optional paid plan (Advisor Priority) that boosts visibility — see the section below for details.

Compensation is agreed directly with the company. It can be cash (retainer or performance-based), equity, or a mix. Many advisors prefer flexible, part-time roles.

Most advisor roles involve 2–4 days of work per month, often remote. You'll share your expertise, open doors, and help 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 Priority is a monthly premium package (€99/month) that provides you with extra visibility and expert support. It includes a Verified Advisor call (valued at €99) and increased profile visibility — making you more likely to be contacted.

• Verified Advisor call: a 30-minute session with a Boardio expert to validate your profile and focus areas.
• Advisor spotlight feature: blog interview and newsletter promotion.
• Enhanced visibility: your profile receives up to 10x more views.

Advisor Priority costs €99/month and includes the Verified Advisor call (normally €99 on its own).

• Advisor Priority includes the Verified Advisor call and ongoing monthly visibility boosts (€99/month).
• Verified Advisor is a one-time purchase (€99) that gives your profile a Verified Badge for 12 months after a profile review and interview — increasing credibility but not affecting visibility in listings.

Yes. The free advisor account lets you apply to all opportunities. Advisor Priority simply increases your visibility and selection chances.

Yes. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your account settings. The visibility and benefits remain active for the rest of your billing cycle.

The Portfolio Scan is a free, structured growth diagnostic for VCs, accelerators, holding companies, and other portfolio operators. Boardio meets with each portfolio company, maps their growth priorities and bottlenecks, and delivers a written brief per company plus a portfolio-level summary. Learn more at boardio.com/portfolio-scan.

You receive three outputs:

• Per-company brief — growth priorities, bottlenecks, and a concrete advisor recommendation for each company.
• Portfolio summary — cross-portfolio themes, common bottlenecks, and recurring patterns across your companies.
• Priority shortlist — the top 5 companies where advisor engagement would have the most immediate impact, ranked by urgency.

It's completely free, with no commitment required. The scan is Boardio's way of demonstrating value before any contract is signed.

Any entity that manages or supports multiple companies: venture capital funds, accelerators, incubators, holding companies, and family offices. It works for any portfolio size, from a 5-company accelerator cohort to a 20-company fund.

It's straightforward and requires no preparation from your side:

1. You send us a list of portfolio companies with basic context.
2. Boardio schedules a 30-minute call with each company.
3. We write a structured brief per company.
4. You receive the full scan — all briefs, portfolio summary, and priority shortlist — within 5 business days of the last company call.

Yes — the Portfolio Scan is available for portfolios of up to 20 companies. This ensures we can deliver a thorough diagnostic within one week. If your portfolio is larger, get in touch and we'll discuss how to structure the engagement.

Yes. The briefs are formatted to be shared directly with founders. Many VCs and accelerators use them as a starting point for conversations about advisory needs.

The scan stands on its own — you're not obligated to do anything else. When you're ready to run an actual advisor search for one or more portfolio companies, Boardio can handle that through Connect or Turnkey, or via the VC & Portfolio track, which gives your entire portfolio ongoing access to the Boardio advisor network.

Boardio Consulting Partners is a service designed for consultants, advisory firms, and management consultants who want to tap into Boardio's network of 11,000+ advisors globally. Whether you need to strengthen your own team on an assignment or source an advisor or board member for a client, Boardio gives you the infrastructure to do it quickly and reliably. Learn more at boardio.com/consulting.

There are three main ways:

• Strengthen your own team — find a specialist to work alongside you on a client assignment without a lengthy hiring process.
• Source an advisor for your client — your client needs experienced guidance; you facilitate the search and present the right candidates.
• Win work you couldn't take on before — pitch confidently for cross-border or out-of-sector projects by showing you can assemble the right expertise.

There are two options:

• Single search — €890 — a full advisor search for one brief, one-time, prepaid. Best for trying Boardio on a specific assignment.
• Consulting Partner bundle — €2,200 — three searches valid for 12 months, saving roughly 18% vs. single searches. Designed for consultants with recurring client needs.

All prices exclude VAT.

Every search includes brief scoping, advisor outreach, shortlisting, and candidate coordination — drawn from 11,000+ professionals across 110 countries and 30+ industries. Advisors apply directly to your search, so every candidate you see has expressed genuine interest. You receive a shortlist of best-matched candidates, typically within two weeks. A named account manager handles everything.

Yes. Every Consulting Partner gets a named account manager — the same person each time. They learn your practice, your typical briefs, and what good looks like for you, so you don't have to re-explain yourself on every search.

All Consulting Partner plans include a re-search guarantee. If a search doesn't produce a suitable candidate, we run a new search at no additional cost — no questions asked.

Yes. If you're sourcing an expert to work alongside you on an assignment, Boardio stays discreet. If you want to present Boardio as your named search partner to a client, that's also fine. It's entirely your call.

Book a short intro call at boardio.com/consulting. We'll introduce you to your account manager, walk through how Consulting Partners works in practice, and figure out if there's a fit for your current client work.

A Boardio Ambassador refers companies from their network to Boardio. When a referral converts to a paying client, the Ambassador earns 30% of Boardio's revenue from that engagement. It's a flexible, low-commitment role — no sales work required, no minimum activity. Learn more at boardio.com/ambassador.

A Country Manager (also called an Ecosystem Lead) actively represents Boardio in a specific country, region, or vertical. They build relationships with startups, investors, and accelerators; qualify and close deals; and grow Boardio's presence locally. In return they earn 70% of the revenue from all deals they close. The role starts with a structured pilot period. 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
Boardio handles qualification and closing	CM handles full sales cycle with Boardio support
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 is required. Some people choose to start as Ambassador to get familiar with Boardio first, but it's entirely optional. Either way, every Country Manager starts with a pilot period.

Before taking on the full Country Manager role, every new CM runs a structured pilot period. It's a defined period where you actively represent Boardio — building early relationships and closing first deals. The pilot confirms commitment and market fit on both sides. You earn the full 70% share from day one of the pilot.

They're the same role with different scope. A Country Manager focuses on a single country. An Ecosystem Lead may cover a broader region, a specific industry vertical, or operate globally. Both earn 70% and follow the same process. You define your scope when you apply.

No. Both the Ambassador and Country Manager roles are purely commission-based (revenue share). There is no salary, no retainer, and no upfront cost. You earn when deals close.

Visit boardio.com/join to see both options and apply. For Ambassador, use the form at boardio.com/ambassador. For Country Manager / Ecosystem Lead, apply at boardio.com/country-manager.