BOARD ADVISORY
Board advisory for strategic velocity
Engage a fraction of the world's best business and technology minds to de-risk key strategic initiatives, M&A transaction or going IPO
Unlock elite expertise. Accelerate transformation.
In today's hyper-competitive landscape—from next frontier tech startups pioneering AI and Quantum to established "Hidden Champions" dominating specialized markets—access to world-class, battle-tested leadership is the ultimate competitive advantage. Yet, securing a full-time, seasoned CXO is often too slow, too costly, or simply unnecessary for targeted strategic initiatives.
AI81Works Board Advisory bridges this critical gap. We offer a highly refined solution that allows our clients to rent a fraction of the world’s best business and technology minds to de-risk key strategic initiatives and inject immediate, high-impact expertise into their organizations.
Why hire AI81Works?
We've been in your shoes, and some of us still are. We master your talent strategy to deliver top leadership candidates, having been in the ‘lines of fire’ as CXOs. With proven track record - we know what it takes to claim success on time and on quality.
1. We are at Eye Level
Our AI91™ deep learning platform assess candidates, cutting manual review and unbiased highlighting top candidates. With deep industry knowledge, our recruiters quickly ensure a precise match between client needs and candidate skills, and make decisions in days or weeks, instead of months and quarters.
2. AI (+ Human) in the Loop
With our extensive international networks and resources in data, AI and technology, our reach and depth, agility and personal touch - we access top executive talent for hard-to-fill and high-impact roles, with remarkably resilience exceeding our clients expectations.
3. Global Reach & Depth
our Clients and Partners
STRATEGY ADVISORY / CAPABILITIES
Unlocking Scaled AI
AI81Works partners with you to align your business objectives with a robust data and AI strategy, ensuring every investment delivers measurable value and sustainable growth. We help you scale enterprise data and AI initiatives to personalize client experiences, reduce inefficiencies, drive revenue growth, and stay compliant with evolving regulations like the EU AI Act.
Our global advisory ecosystem offers end-to-end AI consulting across industries such as finance, logistics, energy, and more. We begin by understanding your business goals and data landscape to identify high-impact AI opportunities and develop a strategic roadmap aligned with measurable value. From data preparation and custom model development to seamless implementation and scaling, we ensure AI solutions integrate smoothly into your operations.
We help clients establish clear policies, roles, and processes to ensure their data is accurate, secure, and compliant with regulations. Services typically include designing governance frameworks, implementing data quality and privacy controls, and setting up data stewardship programs. Our advisors also assist with selecting and deploying technology solutions for data cataloging, monitoring, and policy enforcement; reducing risk and enabling more effective use of data for analytics and AI.
Our change management and capability-building programs guide your teams through every step of the transformation, from tailored training on new AI tools to fostering a data-driven culture that embraces innovation. Our advisors help clients not only adapt to new technologies but we invest in robust change management so your organization can unlock the full value of AI, redesign workflows for greater impact, and ensure your workforce is equipped to lead in a data-powered future.
With the EU AI Act, companies face evolving requirements around data and AI ethics-including responsible AI practices, risk classification, transparency, and employee training. Non-compliance risks severe penalties and reputational damage as regulations tighten globally. Our experts assess AI systems, build strong governance, train teams, and ensure ongoing compliance. Partnering with us enables companies to manage risks confidently, protect their reputation, and unlock the full potential of responsible AI innovation.
AI81Works Board Advisory
AI81Works Board Advisory delivers executive leadership, injecting world-class expertise into high-growth organizations (Startups, SMEs, Global 1000) without the full-time or fractional CXO commitment. Our elite network includes former C-Suite leaders and deep domain experts (e.g., AI, Cloud, Quantum, Blockchain, Cybersecurity). We place them in Board Advisory roles on a flexible, retainer basis.
Our differentiator is Quality Assurance: every expert is rigorously vetted, ensuring maximum strategic impact and de-risking investments through a structured SOW. Our service is built upon a proprietary, invitation-only network of executives, moving beyond traditional recruitment to provide strategic partnership at the governance level.
Targeted strategic augmentation
We specialize in placing executives into non-fiduciary advisory capacities (Board Advisor and select executive or distinguished expert roles) on a flexible, retainer basis (e.g., 4-10 hours per month). This model delivers three critical advantages:
Agile Expertise: Rapidly integrate specialized knowledge (e.g., global regulatory compliance, specific M&A integration, specialized GTM strategies) needed to execute short-term, high-stakes goals
De-risking Capital: Provide VC and PE-backed companies with the governance and strategic validation required by sophisticated investors
Cost Efficiency: Gain C-suite level insight without the overhead of permanent executive compensation packages
Our client focus
AI81Works' Board Advisory service is designed for organizations facing inflection points in growth, technology adoption, or market expansion:
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Growth-Stage Startups (Series B+): Companies transitioning from product-market fit to scaling operations, needing guidance on organizational design, corporate governance, and IPO readiness
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Specialized SMEs ("Hidden Champions"): Market leaders seeking to accelerate digital transformation, navigate complex global supply chains, or strategically acquire new technologies
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Global 1000 Innovation Units: Corporations establishing new ventures (e.g., dedicated AI LLM labs) that require immediate, deep domain expertise to validate roadmaps and avoid technical debt
The AI81Works quality assurance
Unlike general social platforms, every AI81Works advisor placement is backed by the rigour of our executive search methodology:
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Guaranteed Vetting: Every advisor is meticulously assessed for both hard skills and soft skills (cultural fit, coaching ability) using our proprietary PEOPLE™-level models (Big Five/HOGAN, MBTI, DISC and 16PF)
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Structured Engagement: We manage the contract and provide a clear Statement of Work (SOW) defining the advisor's time commitment, key performance indicators, and deliverables, ensuring maximum impact
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Risk Mitigation: By focusing on non-fiduciary roles (Board Advisors), the engagement is structured for strategic flexibility while mitigating the legal liability associated with full Director positions
Executive Profiles in Numbers
25K
Proven C-Suite Leaders
Active or former CEOs, Presidents, and Functional CXOs from Fortune 500 and successful unicorn companies.
70%
Global 1000
Background of our experts in niche fields like advanced AI/ML, Quantum, Crypto, Biotech, Life Sciences, Healthcare
15
Board Advisors
AI81Works own 15 Board advisors encompass current/former CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CIO, CPO, CMO, CAIO and CDOs
1500
VC & PE Veterans
Partners and Operating Executives with extensive experience in portfolio management and capital markets.
A board enriched with leaders who have driven previous IPOs fosters resilience, innovation, and market confidence - especially valuable for tech-driven startups seeking to navigate growth and regulatory complexity
Cigdem Okten, September 2025
Ernst & Young Board Matters Leader
