Connectd
Connectd is a London-based two-sided marketplace connecting startups and scaleups with vetted fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors. Revenue is generated through multi-year Pathway Subscriptions for senior professionals, while startups access the platform free of charge.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Connectd does
Connectd (legal entity: LinkExec Limited) is a London-headquartered marketplace platform that connects early-stage and growth-stage startups with fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors (NEDs). The company operates a two-sided network: startups access vetted senior-level talent (fractional COO, CMO, CFO, CTO, CIO, CISO, CHRO) at no cost, while senior professionals subscribe to multi-year Pathway programs (1-year Fractional Pathway, 2-year Fractional to NED Pathway, 3-year Transition to Portfolio Programme) that bundle CPD-certified Academy training, one-to-one mentorship, and guaranteed pro bono placements.
The platform is built around an AI-driven matching system that recommends experts based on structured profile and preference data across 80+ fractional skillsets and 100+ industries. Underlying technical infrastructure includes Daily.co for video session hosting, Cal.com for scheduling, and third-party AI services (Anthropic Claude for summarization, ElevenLabs for agentic capabilities) that power session transcription and insights. Since founding, Connectd reports 60,000+ connections facilitated, 10,000+ global members, and 3,000+ startups served, with 80% YoY growth cited in 2025.
The business model is asymmetric: startups join free (freemium demand-side acquisition), while revenue is generated through recurring Pathway Subscriptions on the supply side. The company has raised approximately £5.5M ($7M) cumulatively across multiple seed rounds, most recently a £5.5M round in July 2025 led by Anker Capital with MMC Ventures, Swerve, and Mail Venture Partners. Connectd was ranked 43rd on Sifted's UK and Ireland fastest-growing companies list in 2025 and operates in both UK and US markets.
Connectd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Connectd
- Legal name
- LinkExec Limited
- Website
- https://connectd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Connectd is a London-based two-sided marketplace connecting startups and scaleups with vetted fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors. Revenue is generated through multi-year Pathway Subscriptions for senior professionals, while startups access the platform free of charge.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Connectd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Talent Matching Platform
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Professional & Business Networking Communities (MPACAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)
Keywords
Where Connectd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Connectd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription - Pathway Subscriptions: Paid subscription model for fractional professionals seeking portfolio careers. Multiple pathway options available including 1-year 'Fractional Pathway', 2-year 'Fractional to NED Pathway', and 3-year 'Transition to Portfolio Programme'. Fees cover platform access, Academy training, Mentors, and Placements.
- Free Platform Access: Free 'Fractional Platform Subscription' grants basic access to the platform without access to Mentor, Academy or Placement services.
- Startup Services: No fees are payable for startups to use the platform services. Connectd operates primarily as a networking platform where subscription fees from Candidates cover platform-related benefits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Fractional Platform Subscription - Basic platform access |
| Subscription | Annual | Pathway Subscriptions - Paid programs for fractional career development |
| Freemium | Others | Startup Platform Access - Free for startups |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Connectd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Connectd operates an AI-driven networking platform that connects startups and scaleups with fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors across 80+ fractional skillsets and 100+ industries. The platform facilitates matching between businesses seeking senior leadership talent and experienced professionals seeking portfolio careers, supported by a CPD-certified training Academy, mentor program, and pro bono placement guarantee.
Product overview
Connectd is a networking platform connecting startups and scaleups with fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors. The core Connectd Platform serves as the matching marketplace, supported by Fractional Executive Services (part-time COO, CMO, CFO, CTO, CIO, CISO, CHRO roles), Board Advisory Services, and Non-Executive Director Services for startups. For experts, the Connectd Portfolio Career Academy provides CPD-certified training paired with a Mentor Programme and guaranteed Pro Bono Placement to help professionals transition into fractional, advisory, and board roles. Pathway Subscriptions (1-year, 2-year, and 3-year programmes) structure this progression. The platform utilises AI-driven matching to facilitate over 60,000 connections across 100+ industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Connectd Platform Core networking and matching platform connecting startups and scaleups with fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors. Facilitates AI-driven talent matching, training delivery, and portfolio career development for both startups and senior professionals.
- Fractional Executive Services Connects startups with part-time executive leaders including fractional COO, CMO, CFO, CTO, CIO, CISO, and CHRO who provide operational output and strategic expertise without full-time commitment.
- Board Advisory Services Connects startups with experienced board advisors who provide strategic guidance, governance expertise, and risk management support at board level.
- Non-Executive Director Services Matches companies with non-executive directors who provide independent oversight, strategic guidance, and governance without day-to-day operational involvement.
- Connectd Portfolio Career Academy CPD-certified training programme with self-paced, on-demand learning modules designed to help professionals transition to fractional, advisory, and board-level careers.
- Mentor Programme One-to-one mentorship pairing connecting pathway subscribers with experienced professionals who have successfully transitioned to portfolio careers in fractional work.
- Pathway Subscriptions Subscription programmes including 1-year Fractional Pathway, 2-year Fractional to NED Pathway, and 3-year Transition to Portfolio Programme, offering structured progression through Academy training, Mentorship, and Pro Bono Placement services.
- Independent Director Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% growth year-over-year reported in 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Connectd
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Connectd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
Connectd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Connectd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- OnDeck (now part of AngelList): OnDeck operated as a curated community and matching platform for startup operators, executives, and investors, similar to Connectd's professional networking community for fractional leaders. Comparable in facilitating professional connections within the startup ecosystem.
- A.Team: A.Team is a curated network for fractional product, design, and engineering teams, matching startups and enterprises with assembled teams of senior operators. Comparable to Connectd in targeting startups with fractional senior talent, but focused on product/tech teams rather than C-suite executives.
- Hirect: Hirect is an AI-driven direct-chat hiring platform connecting candidates with employers for real-time interviews. Comparable to Connectd in using AI to facilitate faster talent matching, though focused on full-time tech roles rather than fractional executive placements.
Broad incumbents
- GLG (Council): Council Advisors (a GLG company) operates a platform connecting startups with experienced board advisors and fractional executives. Highly comparable to Connectd's Board Advisory and NED services, operating as a broader incumbent in the same niche.
- GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group): GLG is the world's largest expert network connecting professionals with consulting clients for paid insights and short-term engagements. Comparable to Connectd as a curated platform for senior professional expertise, though GLG operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
Direct peers
- Toptal: Toptal is a global freelance/fractional talent marketplace connecting companies with top technology, design, and business talent. Directly comparable as a curated marketplace for senior freelance professionals, though Toptal's primary focus is technical talent rather than C-suite fractional roles.
- Malt: Malt is a leading European freelance/consultant marketplace connecting businesses with independent professionals. Directly comparable to Connectd as a two-sided marketplace for senior independent talent, with similar geographic overlap in the UK and Europe.
- Catalant: Catalant (formerly MBA & Company) is a marketplace platform connecting enterprises with independent consultants and fractional experts. Highly comparable to Connectd's model of matching organizations with vetted senior professionals for project-based and fractional engagements.
- 10x Management: 10x Management is a fractional executive and consulting platform providing vetted C-level talent (CMO, CFO, CTO) to companies on a part-time basis. Direct competitor to Connectd's fractional executive service, focused on matching senior leaders with growth-stage companies.
Regional players
- Expert360: Expert360 is an Australia-based marketplace connecting organizations with independent consultants and fractional executives. Comparable business model to Connectd, though primarily serving the Australian and Asia-Pacific markets rather than the UK/US.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Connectd social profiles
Digital presenceConnectd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Connectd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Connectd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Connectd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Connectd
What does Connectd do?
Connectd operates an AI-driven networking platform that connects startups and scaleups with fractional executives, board advisors, and non-executive directors across 80+ fractional skillsets and 100+ industries. The platform facilitates matching between businesses seeking senior leadership talent and experienced professionals seeking portfolio careers, supported by a CPD-certified training Academy, mentor program, and pro bono placement guarantee.
Is Connectd a public or private company?
Connectd is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Connectd founded?
Connectd was founded in 2020. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Connectd based?
Connectd is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Connectd make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription - Pathway Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are free Platform Access and startup Services.
Who are Connectd's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are OnDeck (now part of AngelList), A.Team and Hirect. Broad incumbents are GLG (Council) and GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group). Direct peers are Toptal, Malt, Catalant and 10x Management. Expert360 is listed as a regional player.
Does Connectd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Connectd.
What industry is Connectd in?
Connectd's product category is Talent Matching Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAJAB, Professional & Business Networking Communities, with a secondary code of EDAFAMAN, Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8742.