---
title: "How much should a startup strategic adviser cost?"
slug: "direct-questions/how-much-should-a-startup-strategic-adviser-cost"
section: "Direct questions"
description: "There is no defensible US wide published median for an independent founder decision review . Use identical briefs to seek written quotes and normalise tota"
internal_only: false
---

# How much should a startup strategic adviser cost?

There is no defensible US-wide published median for an independent *founder decision review*. Use identical briefs to seek written quotes and normalise total commitment before treating any range as a price benchmark.

The supplied context proposes **$2,000–$10,000 for single-decision reviews**, **$1,000–$5,000/month for founder coaching**, and larger amounts for fractional leadership. **These are planning estimates, not verified market prices or supplier quotes.** Compare cash due, equity, minimum term, refund/cancellation terms, prep work, available hours, amendments and post-review access. Ask what observable deliverable arrives by your deadline. ICF's global coach market data is adjacent-industry context, not a substitute for founder-review price research. [2025 ICF Global Coaching Study](https://coachingfederation.org/resources/research/global-coaching-study/)