How long does a typical engagement take?
Most engagements run 8–14 weeks end-to-end. That includes a two-week diagnostic,
a week to scope, six to ten weeks to build, and a 90-day support window. We don't
do open-ended retainers — every project has a clear end date.
Do you work on a fixed-price or hourly basis?
Fixed-price, written into the scope document. The scope includes a rollback plan
so you know what we'll do if anything doesn't work.
Will my team be able to maintain the system after you leave?
Yes — that's a defining part of how we work. We pair with your engineers throughout
the build, document as we go, and run a structured hand-off in the final phase.
The 90-day support window is for backstop, not dependency.
What if we don't have engineers to hand the system off to?
We can stay on as your maintainers. If you have no internal engineering team to inherit the
system, we offer an ongoing maintenance arrangement — keeping the stack running, monitored,
and updated. You get the system without needing to hire for it.
What size companies do you work with?
We work with companies of any size — from a single founder to 100+ employees and beyond.
The common thread is that operations have outgrown manual processes and the team is
ready to bring in AI that actually runs in production.
Do you sign NDAs and BAAs?
Standard NDAs, yes. BAAs (HIPAA) and other compliance vehicles on request.
We don't host your systems or hold your data — you own and run the stack we
build, so your compliance posture stays in your control.
What is a fractional Chief AI Officer and when would we need one?
A fractional Chief AI Officer is an experienced AI leader who works with your team
part-time, whether that's defined hours each month or through a scoped engagement,
instead of a full-time hire. You get executive-level strategy and oversight without
carrying a $250k-$400k annual salary. Most growing companies don't need someone
full-time; they need guidance at critical moments. When evaluating AI vendors,
building compliance frameworks, planning implementation, or assessing what's actually
feasible within your infrastructure. If your team is seriously exploring AI but lacks
internal expertise, a fractional CAIO acts as your advisor and guard rail. They make
sure you don't overspend on pilots that don't connect to your business, ensure your
approach meets audit and compliance requirements, and help you think through governance
before you're deep in implementation. This is typically part of our AI Readiness
Consulting engagement.