UK platform connecting founders with non-exec directors and advisers
Connectd is a UK-headquartered network that matches early and growth-stage founders with vetted advisers, non-executive directors and fractional senior operators. We picked it because it sits in the awkward gap between LinkedIn (free but unfiltered) and a search firm (effective but 25,000 GBP+). For a Series Pre-Seed to Series B founder who needs three advisers, one chair and possibly an interim CFO, paying a few hundred a month for curated introductions is materially cheaper than the alternatives.
Founders create a company profile and a brief on what they need (industry expert, NED, fractional CMO, investor intro). The platform algorithm and a human curator surface advisers from a vetted pool — broadly senior operators, ex-founders and listed-company NEDs concentrated in the UK and northern Europe. You message inside the platform, schedule introductory calls, and either agree an equity-only NED package, a paid retainer, or a one-off engagement. There is also an investor module that surfaces angels and early-stage VCs based on stage and sector, although this is secondary to the adviser product.
The Founder tier is free and lets you build a profile and start a small number of conversations a month. Founder Plus sits around 99 GBP/month and lifts the cap, adds direct messaging, gives access to the investor module and the curated talent pool, and includes some support from the Connectd team on positioning your brief. Higher tiers move into managed search territory at several hundred pounds a month and are negotiated. Adviser fees are paid by the founder directly and are typically a mix of equity (0.1-1.0% over 2-4 years for a NED) and a small monthly retainer if any. Connectd does not take a cut of equity grants.
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Connectd | Free / 99 GBP+/mo | Self-serve adviser and NED hiring in the UK and EU |
| LinkedIn outreach | Free | You have time, network and patience to filter yourself |
| Nurole / Norman Broadbent | 5,000-25,000 GBP per search | Listed-company chair and NED hires |
| Catalant / Toptal Senior | Project rate, often 200-400 USD/hr | Fractional executive engagements with billing inside the platform |
| AngelList Talent | Free / paid | Engineering and operator hiring at startups, not adviser hiring |
Founder profile is free to set up and you can start matching with advisers before paying anything. Use the link below to get started.
Seed-stage founders bootstrapping or post-seed-round often face the choice: hire a CFO or VP Sales, or skip and burn cash slower. Connectd lets founders post the role, review vetted profiles, and close a fractional or full-time hire at zero recruitment cost. The fee savings fund runway or product development instead.
Post-Series A teams often hire 2–4 executives in 6 months. Connectd eliminates $150K–$300K in placement fees across those hires. Founders can also tap fractional advisors—former CMOs, CFOs, GTM leaders—to mentor new hires or fill gaps without full-time commitment.
Mature founders building advisory boards or adding fractional expertise post-Series B use Connectd to find experienced teams willing to commit 2–5 hours per month. Connectd's vetting surfaces advisors with relevant domain expertise and realistic availability, reducing mismatches.
Quarterly access to product leadership.
Bonus credits redeemable on partner tooling.
We re-verify the offer every quarter so it never goes stale.
Hit the button on this page — opens the partner site in a new tab.
Check your investor or accelerator benefits portal for the Connectd partner code. Y Combinator, Sequoia, and most Tier 1 VCs have codes available.
Renewals stay at the same rate — verified by us, not the vendor.
| Feature | Connectd |
|---|---|
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Cheapest paid plan | $0/mo |
| Annual discount | Up to 25% |
| Refund window | 30 days |
| Setup time | < 1 hour |
| Best for | Founders |
“Great platform for building a portfolio NED career”
“Good quality adviser network with a proper vetting process”
“Found an excellent NED who opened doors we could not open alone”