Connectd has secured £5.5 million in funding to accelerate expansion of its artificial intelligence-powered platform that matches startups with fractional executives and strategic advisors. The London and US-based company reported 80 per cent growth this year while surpassing £8.6 million in annual recurring revenue.
The platform addresses a growing demand among early-stage companies seeking senior expertise without the financial commitment of full-time executive hires. Since launching in 2019, Connectd has facilitated more than 25,000 connections spanning investments, board appointments, and fractional employment arrangements across its network of over 3,000 professionals and 3,000 startups.
The Fractional Executive Model
Fractional executives represent senior professionals who divide their time across multiple organisations, offering specialized knowledge during critical business phases. This arrangement enables startups to access high-level strategic guidance for specific projects or growth stages without bearing the costs associated with permanent C-suite appointments.
For experienced professionals, fractional roles provide lucrative opportunities to leverage their expertise across diverse sectors while maintaining flexibility. Areas of particular demand include financial planning, tax advisory services, marketing strategy, and product development.
“Imagine Warren Buffett coming into your office one day a week to tell you where you’re going wrong. Or Jony Ive giving you an hour’s feedback on your latest product rollout” ~ Roei Samuel, CEO and Founder of Connectd.
AI-Driven Matching Technology
Connectd’s proprietary technology analyses startup financial data to identify optimal matches between companies and fractional talent based on specific business requirements and development phases. The system determines precisely when organizations require particular executive profiles, whether deploying a fractional chief marketing officer for product launches or engaging a fractional chief financial officer to navigate funding rounds.
The platform’s algorithmic approach extends beyond basic skill matching, considering factors such as industry experience, growth stage alignment, and strategic objectives to create targeted partnerships between startups and advisors.
Training Future Fractional Talent
Through its Innovation Academy, Connectd invests in developing the next generation of fractional workers. The programme provides comprehensive guidance on building personal brands, understanding governance requirements, conducting due diligence, and monetizing fractional services effectively.
This educational component strengthens the platform’s talent pool while ensuring advisors possess the commercial acumen necessary to deliver value across multiple client engagements simultaneously.
Investment and Growth Strategy
The latest funding round brings Connectd’s total capital raised to $16 million, with new investors Anker Capital, Stena & Swerve joining existing backers Steven Mail of Mail Venture Partners and Alan Morgan of MMC Ventures.
“We back paradigm-shifting startups, and Connectd does just that” ~ Jonas Anker, Founding Partner at Anker Capital.
The investment will support continued platform development and expansion of Connectd’s matching capabilities as demand for flexible executive talent continues rising among resource-conscious startups seeking competitive advantages through strategic expertise.
Market Implications
Connectd’s growth reflects broader shifts in professional services markets, where traditional employment models increasingly compete with flexible arrangements that benefit both companies and senior professionals. The platform’s success demonstrates viable pathways for accessing executive-level guidance without conventional hiring constraints.
“Fractional simply is the future model for work” ~ CEO and Founder Roei Samuel noted, highlighting the transformative potential of accessing specialist input that can unlock significant business value.
As startups face intensifying competition for capital and market share, platforms like Connectd provide access to experienced leadership that might otherwise remain beyond reach for emerging companies operating with limited resources but ambitious growth targets.