The Fractional CPO.
Senior product leadership, embedded by the month. Strategy owned, the roadmap set, the team levelled up, for a fraction of a full-time hire.
The Fractional CPO is an ongoing Piece: senior product leadership embedded by the month (strategy owned, roadmap set, team levelled up) from £2,000 a month on a three-month-plus, equity-friendly basis.
What it is.
When the product function has outgrown the founder but can't yet justify a £150k+ Chief Product Officer, the fractional CPO retainer is how you get the senior judgment now, without the six-figure bet or the six-month hire.
You're not buying a fraction of someone's ability. You're buying all of it, for a fraction of the week — in the work from day one, flexing up when you're setting strategy and down when the team is running. Read the full case in N°43 of The Read.
Who it's for.
- Startups where the founder is also the de-facto CPO, and stretched.
- Ambitious SMEs shipping hard with nobody owning what's next.
- SMEs betting six figures on a build with no senior product owner.
- Teams raising who can't cleanly answer “who owns product”.
What you get.
- Senior product leadership embedded by the month.
- Strategy owned and the roadmap set and defended.
- Your existing product people levelled up as we go.
- Flexibility to scale the commitment with what you need.
- Equity-friendly terms when cash is tight and upside is real.
How it works.
It starts with a free discovery call. We confirm the fit, agree the scope and the fixed price, and book the dates. No drawn-out scoping forms, no surprise invoices. You know exactly what you're buying before you commit. The best outcome is the one where you no longer need us, and we build toward it from day one.
Questions about this Set Piece.
What is a fractional CPO?
A senior Chief Product Officer who plugs into your business part-time — owning strategy, setting the roadmap and levelling up the team — for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a fractional CPO cost?
From £2,000 per month, on a three-month-plus basis, with up to 40% of fees convertible to equity on qualifying mandates.
Who is a fractional CPO for?
Startups and SMEs whose product function has outgrown the founder but can't yet justify a £150k-plus full-time CPO.
Book a discovery call.
Twenty minutes to find out whether the product seat is genuinely empty — or whether something smaller fits first.
Book a discovery call