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Startup advisor roles

Advising startups is a way to stay close to new companies and earn equity for expertise. Describe your domain and what you help with, and founders who need an advisor in exactly that area can reach out.

Find advisory roles An example request
Posted by
Startup Operator
Answered by
A founder who needs an advisor in exactly this operator's domain.
You get
Advisory seats matched to your expertise
You share
Expertise, Sectors, Time available, Comp preference and Stage preference
Visibility
Your name shows
Group
Roles and hiring
Fig. 615 · Owl

What people see when you post

A request reads like this. The answers become the details, so someone can tell at a glance whether they can help.

Sample request

Startup advisor roles

Your name shows

Ex-VP Growth at a consumer unicorn. Want two or three advisory seats at seed-stage consumer companies I can actually help.

  1. Post it in a few lines

    Every startup advisor roles request answers the same questions: expertise, sectors, time available, comp preference and stage preference.

  2. The right people see it

    A founder who needs an advisor in exactly this operator's domain. The button they see says Offer an advisory seat.

  3. You choose who to reply to

    Your name shows. Close it when you have what you need.

Sample written for this page. It is not a real request.

Questions about startup advisor roles

How do you become a startup advisor?

Most advisors start by helping founders informally in an area where they have real, recent expertise, such as scaling a sales team, navigating a regulator or building a product in a specific market. Founders who get value come back and eventually formalize the relationship. Make your expertise visible through writing, speaking or mentoring in accelerators, and be specific about the problems you solve. Being useful to a few companies matters more than advising many.

How much do startup advisors get paid?

Most early-stage advisors are paid in equity rather than cash, commonly about 0.1 to 1 percent vesting over one to two years. Some advisors with specialized expertise charge a monthly retainer or hourly fee instead, or combine a small fee with a smaller equity grant. Equity is a long-shot payment: most startups do not produce large outcomes, so advise companies you believe in and where the work interests you for its own sake.

How much time does a startup advisor usually spend?

Typical advisory roles involve a few hours a month: a regular call with the founders, occasional introductions and help on specific problems. More hands-on arrangements can mean several hours a week for a defined period. Agree on expectations up front, including how founders should reach you and how often you will meet, so neither side is disappointed. Review the arrangement every few months and end it cleanly if it is no longer useful.

What do founders look for in an advisor?

Founders look for someone who has recently solved the problem they face, will make introductions that matter, and will give direct feedback. They value responsiveness and genuine interest in the company over a famous name. Advisors who can open doors to customers, hires or investors in the company's specific market are especially valuable. Being clear about what you offer and what you do not makes you easier to say yes to.

Venture roles, founding teams and fractional work

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