Top 10 Startup Consultants to Supercharge Your Business in 2024
Run your business with insights from experienced consultants.
Published March 26, 2024.
The startup journey is exhilarating, but it can also feel like you're constantly on a tightrope. This year is shaping up to be a transformative time for young businesses, but with great opportunity comes fierce competition. In the US alone, an estimated 70,966 startups were launched.
The secret weapon to propel your startup past the hurdles and towards explosive growth? A top-notch consultant.
Here, we've brought the top 10 startup consultants together. From scaling strategies to funding insights, they'll equip you with the tools and expertise to turn your innovative idea into an industry leader.
Our top picks of the best startup consultants to hire
1. Albert M. - Best overall
2. Kate W. - Best for tech startups
3. Jake M. - Best for eCommerce startups
4. Josh B. - Best for establishing startup brands
5. Robbie M. - Best for customer engagement
6. Jack N. - Best for managing high-ROI campaigns
7. Daniel J. - Best for growth marketing
8. Yoav B. - Best for increasing SEO
9. Doron D. - Best for user acquisition
10. Carissa S. - Best for maximizing social media advertising
What is a startup consultant?
A startup consultant is an outside professional who coaches and mentors startup companies, especially if they're at the beginning of their business journey.
Startup business consultants are typically freelance contractors. This means that you don't hire them permanently. Instead, they stay with you as long as needed and then move on to another project.
A startup business consultant helps you save time, frustration, and money by offering key advice and training, helping you with your business plan, and helping you set the right goals with the right path to reaching them.
Startup business consultants play a key role in separating successful startups from the ones that go under. The fact that only 25% of new businesses survive for 15 or more years shows the importance of hiring a highly experienced freelance consultant.
1
Albert M.
Holistic startup consultant
Experience
10+ years
Country
Australia
Industry focus
Finance | Style & fashion | Social & community | Technology | Health & wellness | Professional services | Art & entertainment
Brief overview
Over the past 10 years, Albert has partnered with 20+ high-growth startups, including industry leaders like Simply Wall St, Vero, and Airtasker. His expertise spans across diverse sectors like marketplaces, eCommerce, B2B/B2C SaaS, FinTech, and the cutting edge of NFTs.
Specialties
- Startups
- Affiliate marketing
- CRM implementation
- Email marketing
- Tracking implementation
- Growth hacking
- Data onboarding
- CRO
- SEO
Why hire Albert?
Albert isn't just a consultant, he's a growth hacker with a proven track record. He's partnered with big names like Simply Wall St and spearheaded growth across various industries (marketplace, e-commerce, SaaS, NFT, FinTech). Whether you need SEO, product-led growth, or marketing automation, Albert's your guy. His specialty in affiliate marketing, CRM, and CRO ensures you navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities effectively.
2
Kate W.
Strategic marketing leader
Experience
18 years
Country
United States
Industry focus
Art & entertainment | Automotive | NPOs & government | Pets | Professional services | Technology
Brief overview
Kate is a seasoned marketing leader with 18 years of experience, including a decade honing strategies in Silicon Valley's tech scene. She possesses a deep understanding of startups and their differentiation needs. Her expertise spans brand building, product marketing, demand generation, and growth enablement.
Specialties
- Startups
- Marketing strategy
- Branding
- CMO
Why hire Kate?
Kate's 10 years in Silicon Valley and 18 years in marketing make her a veteran of tech startups. She crafts winning brand strategies, executes targeted product marketing, and positions you for success in the competitive tech space. Her skills in CRM, content, and partnerships ensure sustainable growth for your tech startup.
3
Jake M.
eCommerce and marketing expert
Experience
7+ years
Country
United States
Industry focus
Health & wellness | Style & fashion | Technology | Professional services | Home & garden | Finance
Brief overview
Jake is a growth and digital marketing strategist with 7+ years of experience fueling startup and SMB success. He specializes in driving leads and eCommerce sales through Facebook, Google, TikTok, LinkedIn Ads, SEO, and CRO. His entrepreneurial spirit, honed through co-founding 3 companies, fuels his passion for helping ventures thrive.
Specialties
- Startups
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Google Shopping
- Bing Ads
- Pinterest Ads
- YouTube Ads
- Instagram Ads
- TikTok Ads
- Tracking implementation
Why hire Jake?
Jake's 7+ years in startups (including co-founding 3 of his own) and experience with Bespoke Post & Everytable make him an eCommerce wiz. He's worked with 100+ brands (HUM Nutrition, Home Chef) and dominates Facebook, Google, TikTok & LinkedIn Ads. Jake gets you more sales with conversion rate optimization, creative strategies, and paid social expertise. He builds lean, effective campaigns for maximum ROI and sustainable growth—perfect for scaling your eCommerce startup.
4
Josh B.
Startup branding expert
Experience
14+ years
Country
Canada
Industry focus
Education | Art & entertainment | Baby | Health & wellness | Pets | Food & drink
Brief overview
Josh has been starting and growing brands for 14+ years across SaaS and eCommerce sectors. He's worked with both small startups and major brands including AeroPress, Hootsuite, Fresh Prep, EA Sports, 7-Eleven and Shaw Communications.
Specialties
- Startups
- CRO
- CMO
- Branding
Why hire Josh?
With 14+ years building brands for startups (AeroPress) and giants (Hootsuite, EA Sports), Josh is your go-to for establishing a powerful presence. He crafts compelling stories, optimizes your web presence, and drives growth through strategic marketing (SEO, PPC). Josh's proven methods help startups carve their niche and achieve long-term success.
5
Robbie M.
Full stack startup marketer
Experience
17+ years
Country
United Kingdom
Industry focus
Automotive | Finance | Food & drink | Health & wellness | Professional services | Technology | Travel
Brief overview
Robbie is an agile full-stack marketer with a passion for crafting captivating email sequences and landing page copy. He leverages storytelling and strategic logic, honed in fast-paced startups, to drive deeper customer engagement.
Specialties
- Startups
- Email marketing
- Copywriting
- Growth hacking
- CRM implementation
- Tracking implementation
Why hire Robbie?
Full-stack marketer Robbie helps startups connect with customers. He crafts email campaigns, optimizes interactions, and uses storytelling to build relationships. Robbie's experience includes 10x growth for a tech startup and an 8-figure acquisition for an enterprise software company—all within 2 years! An entrepreneur himself (he launched 4 businesses), Robbie understands startup challenges and uses marketing automation to create effective customer engagement strategies.
6
Jack N.
Freelance startup consultant
Experience
10+ years
Country
United Kingdom
Industry focus
Technology | Art & entertainment | NPOs & government | Professional services | Pets
Brief overview
Jack is a global marketing strategist with a proven track record of delivering high-ROI campaigns across industries. He's managed million-dollar media budgets for Californian fintechs, manufacturers, and professional services firms, driving success through search, social ads, conversion optimization, and data-driven insights.
Specialties
- Startups
- Google Ads
- Google Shopping
- Facebook Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Instagram Ads
- YouTube Ads
- TikTok Ads
- CRO
- Tracking implementation
Why hire Jack?
Jack, a paid social and search ads whiz, helps startups run high-ROI campaigns. He's worked with startups and manufacturers and even managed six-figure media spending for international clients. Jack creates profitable campaigns across the board, from strategy to tracking. He speaks your startup's language and gets results—perfect for maximizing your online presence with data-driven ads.
7
Daniel J.
Startup growth marketer
Experience
15+ years
Country
United Kingdom
Industry focus
Gaming | Social & community | Professional services | Finance | Education | Art & entertainment | Technology
Brief overview
Daniel has helped startups achieve ambitious goals using growth marketing through a data-driven, first-principles approach. With extensive experience working with the world's fastest-growing startups and companies, he knows what works.
Specialties
- Startups
- Marketing strategy
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Google Shopping
- Bing Ads
- Instagram Ads
- YouTube Ads
Why hire Daniel?
Daniel helps startups explode with data-driven growth marketing. He's worked with top startups and uses a unique blend of data, creativity, and experimentation to unlock overlooked opportunities. Daniel's strategies have driven millions in revenue, app downloads, and reduced customer costs across industries like eCommerce, SaaS, and crypto.
8
Yoav B.
SEO and marketing expert
Experience
15+ years
Country
Israel
Industry focus
Technology
Brief overview
Yoav is an SEO specialist who has worked with eCommerce startups, SMBs, and SAAS companies. He's committed to helping his clients achieve their goals regarding rankings, traffic and sales increase.
Specialties
- Startups
- SEO
- Marketing strategy
Why hire Yoav?
Yoav helps startups conquer search engines. He's worked with all types of startups like eCommerce and SaaS and gets results—higher rankings, more organic traffic, and increased conversions. Yoav goes beyond tech. He builds your industry authority and local presence. He'll help you dominate search results and establish yourself as a leader.
9
Doron D.
Freelance startup specialist
Experience
10+ years
Country
Israel
Industry focus
Travel | Gaming | Art & entertainment | NPOs & government | Professional services | Health & wellness | Finance | Technology
Brief overview
Doron is a digital growth leader with 10+ years of experience guiding 100+ startups worldwide to success. Previously, he spearheaded user acquisition at Lemonade (LMND) and growth at Lili banking. He also leverages his expertise by mentoring startups at TechStars and advising on board-level growth strategies.
Specialties
- Startups
- Marketing strategy
- CMO
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- YouTube Ads
- Bing Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Instagram Ads
- TikTok Ads
- Outbrain
- Taboola
Why hire Doron?
Doron boasts over a decade of digital marketing experience, making him a user acquisition guru for startups. His deep understanding of user acquisition, thanks to helping companies like Lemonade (LMND), helps startups of all sizes build a strong user base and achieve ambitious growth goals.
10
Carissa S.
Social media expert
Experience
10+ years
Country
United States
Industry focus
Baby | Beauty | Education | Finance | Health & wellness | NPOs & government | Professional services | Sports, outdoors & fitness | Style & fashion | Technology | Travel
Brief overview
Carissa is a growth marketing professional with expertise in social media advertising for high-growth, series-funded startups. She specializes in campaign management, creative strategy, influencer relations, and marketing analytics. She's driven over $100M in revenue for her clients across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Specialties
- Startups
- Copywriting
- Influencer marketing
- Growth hacking
- Facebook Ads
- Instagram Ads
- Snapchat Ads
- TikTok Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Pinterest Ads
Why hire Carissa?
Carissa crushes social media ads for high-growth startups. She's generated over $100M in revenue for clients on Facebook, Instagram, and more. Carissa uses creative testing and platform smarts to maximize conversions and dominate auctions. An economics wiz, she optimizes campaigns for data-driven success. Carissa helps startups of all sizes leverage social media advertising to achieve explosive growth.
What does a startup consultant do?
Market research
Market research is the foundational step of starting and operating a business. It's even more important for startup founders because it helps them carve out a piece of the market for themselves.
If you're just starting out with your business, it's a great idea to hire a professional to help you with market research. A startup consultant can help you with the following aspects of market research:
- Analyzing and researching industry trends
- Analyzing your market segment
- Analyzing your competitors' strengths and weaknesses
- Researching your target audience's expectations
- Formulating strategies with your marketing and sales teams
Hiring a competent consultant takes a huge load off your back and ensures everything's done right. This will help you stand out from competitors and establish your brand as unique.
Roadmap development
No business can thrive without a clearly defined strategy. That's why it's crucial for a startup to have a well-defined roadmap.
An experienced startup business consultant is the right person for this task. They can review your plans and objectives (if you have any) and give recommendations based on that. If you have no clearly defined plans, they can provide suggestions and help you define your goals.
For example, if your immediate goal is to spread the word about your business, your consultant may suggest you post more Instagram ads at a specific time of day. This means they've identified when your target audience is online and most likely to see the ads, and they're optimizing your marketing strategy to meet your goals.
Financial modeling
82% of startups that fail do so because of financial problems. Avoiding financial problems is just as important as formulating the right strategy and having clear-cut plans. That's why investing in a skilled consultant can save you money down the line.
A consultant can take a close look at your financial plan and available resources. This allows them to see how and when you can invest the money, as well as see if you're spending money unnecessarily.
Having somebody go through your financial plans ensures that your resources are going where needed and that your costs remain manageable. This increases your chances of avoiding financial crises and failing because of them.
Process and project management
As a new business owner, you probably lack practical experience in management and streamlining processes. That's where a consultant comes in handy.
Startup business consultants typically have lots of experience running a company, so they can give you advice and guidelines on what you need to do to manage your company successfully. While you probably want to be as independent as possible, it's always a good idea to have an experienced advisor to guide you through the world of management while you're still learning your chops.
Process and project management are of utmost importance for your business venture. Running a tight ship ensures that everything goes according to plan and that the utilization of your resources is optimized, so there's no wasting.
Even if you have a top-notch plan, it's not worth much if you don't manage the day-to-day running of your company properly. That's why hiring an experienced consultant is a must if you're uncertain about your management skills.
Coaching and mentoring
Your consultant always acts like your startup mentor, especially if this is your first time running a business. They won't simply tell you what to do if you want to succeed. Everything they do at your startup will be a learning opportunity for you, so they'll have the role of coach and mentor by default.
However, a consultant can also be a great boost to your company's morale. They can share stories of business success from their previous experience, motivating everyone on your team.
A good consultant is someone you can always look to when times are tough. They shouldn't focus exclusively on running the business. They should also provide support and show a genuine interest in your business and projects.
Why hire a consultant for your startup?
A startup owner must typically handle many different roles that usually require a team of people to handle. It's also not very likely that you have a lot of experience if you're starting out, which can add to the stress of running a business. So, hiring a consultant might be a necessary step.
An unbiased outside perspective
After investing so much effort, time, and money, it can be difficult to have an objective perspective on your business. That's where an outsider's perspective becomes really important.
A consultant doesn't have the same kind of emotional investment as you. Moving from project to project allows them to have an unbiased perspective when working with a client. This allows them to have a clearer insight into what's happening at your company and figure out what steps you need to take.
If your startup is family-run, a third-party perspective might be even more important. It can get quite emotional in such an operation, and this may cloud everyone's perspective to the point where you find it very difficult to accept your consultant's advice. It's important not to let your emotions get the better of you and make you refuse the consultant's tips and insight.
Cost reduction and time-saving
While hiring an expert consultant isn't cheap, it saves you money in the long run. A consultant can identify where you're wasting resources and where you can allocate them to get a better ROI. They can also tell you when to save money for later and help you create a realistic budget for your projects.
Working with an expert contractor is also cheaper than hiring a full-time employee. With a contractor, you can simply ask for help when needed and pay them per project, which is usually cheaper than paying somebody a monthly salary.
A consultant can also help you save time. They can quickly and easily identify your weak points and what you need to do to address them and speed up your processes. Having somebody experienced who can give you solutions to your problems means you don't have to spend your time thinking of solutions. You can instead focus on other aspects of running a business, more in line with your expertise.
Customized business plan for your startup
While in the development phase, your business is vulnerable and needs expert guidance. Strategy development is one of the crucial tasks for success and utilizing a cookie-cutter strategy can't get you far. That's why you need an expert who can quickly learn about your business, analyze your goals, and formulate an effective business strategy based on that.
A detailed analysis of your plans and goals allows your consultant to create a customized business plan. No strategy is one-size-fits-all and a good consultant must understand that and strive to create a unique plan for each client.
Valuable resources and connections
The most important resource that a consultant brings to your company is their knowledge and experience. They also have valuable connections with figures in different fields, which is always important in business.
Your consultant might help you find potential business partners and establish good relationships with others in your field. They can also connect you to people in other fields, which might help you with future projects.
Things you should be looking for when hiring a startup consultant
Hiring a consultant is an important task. If you're wandering into that territory for the first time, it can get quite confusing, and you might not make the right decision. So, let's examine the most important traits you should look for when searching for a consultant.
Industry-specific experience
While it's essential to have an experienced third-party advisor, it's even more important that they have experience in the right field. If you get a consultant with lots of general experience but minimal experience in your industry, they might not be of much help.
Every industry has its quirks and intricacies, so it's important to look for a consultant with experience in your niche. Such a consultant is much more likely to give you valuable advice, identify growth opportunities, and formulate an action plan that works.
They will also be much better acquainted with potential problems you may encounter. This allows them to quickly think of a range of solutions to prevent damage and ensure your processes are not interrupted.
Proven track record
A proven track record showcases your potential consultant's previous successes and strong points. It also allows you to see if they have the right experience and are a good match for you and your business idea.
When interviewing a potential consultant, always ask for details on successful companies they've worked with and ask for references. Learning what their previous clients have had to say about their work tells you a lot about who they are and whether or not they're suitable and reliable.
Personalized solutions
A good consultant analyzes each problem and situation in great detail and provides unique solutions. While they must draw on their experience and knowledge, they should never be a one-trick pony and rehash the same idea.
Your consultant must investigate your initial business idea and develop a personalized strategy. If the consultant you're interviewing or working with doesn't have original ideas, you might want to opt for somebody else.
Strong communication skills
A good consultant must also be a good communicator. They constantly need to keep in touch with you and share their ideas in a straightforward way.
Good communication skills are particularly important when you consider their coaching and mentoring role. A good coach and mentor must share their advice and lessons in a clear and understandable way you can easily memorize and use in the future.
Your consultant may also provide you with useful business connections, so good communication is key to establishing and maintaining them.
How much does a startup consultant cost?
On average, small business consultants charge $75 an hour. The lowest rates are around $45 an hour, while the higher rates are typically around $150. However, the rates can vary depending on how experienced, renowned, and successful a consultant is, so you might pay much more than $150 an hour if you're hiring a premium consultant.
How to hire the perfect consultant for your startup
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to find the right consultant for your startup. Let's take a look at what you need to pay attention to when looking for a consultant.
1. Decide on your goals
Define your goals as clearly as possible and decide what you want to achieve. Sometimes, it can be difficult to have a crystal-clear picture of your goals, but having at least a general idea makes it much easier to find a consultant. Not to mention that this makes it much easier for them to do their job.
2. Create a job description
When writing a job description, you must define your project scope, talent needs, and budget. Potential applicants must know what you're looking for so they can judge if your offer matches their skill set. A convoluted description with a lack of vital information won't get you far.
Describe exactly what you need help with. Different clients have different needs and expectations, and knowing what you need helps consultants decide if they can and want to work with you.
It is also important to mention preferred qualifications and education. You should also mention your work environment and conditions.
3. Hire with Mayple
If you want to avoid the hassle and difficulties of browsing job boards and freelance platforms, you should try working with Mayple. We can connect you to various startup consultants specialized in different lines of business and help you find the perfect one for your niche and needs. With Mayple, you can sit back and let us do all the heavy lifting for you.
Sign up now and find a consultant who can help you build your business from scratch.
Time to start upping your business
The startup world thrives on innovation and calculated risks. But sometimes, the smartest move is to leverage the expertise of those who've been there before. Investing in a top consultant isn't just about growth—it's about acquiring the knowledge and confidence to navigate the dynamic business landscape with a competitive edge.
Think of it like this: successful mountain climbers don't embark on Everest without a seasoned guide. A top consultant is your guide in the startup world, helping you avoid hidden crevasses, identify the most efficient routes to your goals, and, ultimately, reach the summit of success.
FAQs
What does a consultant do in a startup?
A consultant provides various services to a startup, including crucial tips on running a business, helping with optimizing company procedures, formulating business plans and strategies, and helping with cash-flow management and marketing efforts. With their help, you can overcome the initial obstacles of running a business much easier.
Do startups hire consulting firms?
Startup firms often hire consulting firms. Having a reliable consultant is particularly important for startups because new businesses face many obstacles and often fail quickly. Hiring a consulting firm is often a good way to find a reliable consultant.
What are the main responsibilities of a consultant?
The main responsibilities of a consultant are providing guidance and counseling to their clients. They also help with business strategy, finances, and marketing.
What is the biggest benefit of hiring a consultant?
The biggest benefit of hiring a consultant is getting help and mentoring from somebody who is experienced and skilled. Running a startup firm can be challenging at first, and hiring someone who is experienced in building businesses from scratch can help you avoid mistakes and keep your business running.
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