Connectd is a UK-based platform that connects experienced executives with startups seeking fractional talent, board advisors, and non-executive directors. Their advisor pathway is a structured, paid programme that trains senior professionals to transition into portfolio careers combining advisory, fractional C-suite, and NED roles.

Programme Structure

The Board Advisor pathway runs in three tiers based on duration and depth:

1 Year / £2.4k+VAT — 1 pro bono placement, CPD-accredited Academy (8 modules), 180 min mentoring, live opportunity access, monthly networking events
2 Years / £4.5k+VAT — 2 placements, 360 min mentoring; transitions from Board Advisor toward NED
3 Years / £6.2k+VAT — 3 placements, 540 min mentoring; full Transition to Portfolio pathway

Each tier includes a guaranteed pro bono placement upon Academy completion, access to 3,500+ startups across 100+ sectors, and a curated community platform.

Academy

Eight CPD-accredited modules covering: research and due diligence, developing a Board Advisor CV, advising vs. executing (doing vs. advising), leveraging your network, and securing paid roles. Up to 30 CPD points upon completion.

Mentorship

One-to-one sessions with experienced fractional mentors spanning 60+ sectors, matched to skills and goals. Flexible scheduling.

Community

Dedicated platform with webinars, roundtables, thought-leadership sessions, and peer-to-peer support among fractional leaders.

Role Types on Platform

Connectd covers the full spectrum of fractional and governance roles:

Board Advisor — strategic guidance and mentorship without fiduciary responsibility
NED (Non-Executive Director) — formal board membership with legal/fiduciary duties; independent oversight
Fractional C-suite — part-time senior leadership (CMO, COO, CTO, CFO, CIO, CHRO, CISO)

Compensation Model

Startups typically compensate fractional and advisory talent with equity rather than cash, especially early-stage. Equity vests over time (commonly 3-5 years) or via performance milestones. Cash compensation becomes negotiable post-placement.

Target User

Executives with 10+ years of senior leadership experience planning a transition out of full-time corporate roles into a portfolio career. Can be pursued while still in full-time employment.

Network Scale

Members in 80+ countries. 3,500+ engaged startups. Alumni from Microsoft, Google, Goldman Sachs, Shopify, and Meta backgrounds.

This is the structured, credentialed version of what informal advisory relationships already are — but with a training layer, placement guarantee, and community infrastructure built around it. The pricing is steep for what is essentially access + training + introductions, but the guaranteed placement removes the "now what?" risk that stops most people from pursuing advisory roles at all.

The Connectd model is interesting as a reference point for how One Inc might structure cohort-based advisory relationships or formalize the coaching-to-advisory pipeline. The distinction they draw between doing vs. advising is a useful frame — parallels the Agentic Augmentation coaching framing around building operators vs. delivering deliverables.