1
Chief Outsiders Editor's pick
6 named clients Founded 2009, 120+ people
Fee on request monthly retainer
Best fractional CROs: firms and solo practitioners
A fractional CRO owns the revenue number for a company where the founder still closes most of the deals. The first month is a pipeline audit: CRM hygiene, win rates and cycle length by segment, a look at the comp plan and why the forecast keeps missing. From there the work is process, hiring and the weekly forecast call, so that a founder can step out of sales without revenue stalling. Buyers are typically $2M to $20M in revenue with two to ten reps or a plan to hire the first ones. Published retainers start around $6,000 to $7,000 a month and run past $20,000, with $8,000 to $15,000 common; some fractional CROs add a bonus tied to new revenue, which is worth asking about. This page lists fractional CRO and fractional sales leadership firms, including staffing and recruiting firms with a fractional practice, and shows what each publishes about fees, terms and the size of company it serves.
21 firms and practitioners on this page offer fractional CRO work. That is 14 firms, 6 marketplaces and 1 solo practitioner. Editor's picks here are Chief Outsiders and TechCXO. 4 publish a monthly fee, from $2,280 to $12,000 a month. The other 17 quote.
A fractional CRO typically works 10 to 20 hours a week, with the weekly pipeline review and forecast call as fixed points. Engagements typically run 6 to 18 months, with a three-month minimum the most common starting term.
2
TechCXO Editor's pick
6 named clients Founded 2003, 245+ people
Fee on request
3
4 named clients Serves US
$7,000 per month
4
Founded 2005Serves US
$12,000 per month
5
70+ peopleServes UK
$2,280 per month, no minimum
6
4 named clients Serves US, Canada
$4,000 per month
7
4 named clients Serves US
Fee on request monthly retainer
8
Serves US
Fee on request
9
Founded 2020Serves US
Fee on request
10
Serves US
Fee on request monthly retainer
11
1 named client Serves Australia
Fee on request fixed project fee, 3 month minimum
12
Serves US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada
Fee on request monthly retainer
13
4 named clients Serves US, UK, EU, Australia
Fee on request no minimum
14
2 named clients Serves US
Fee on request
15
5 named clients Serves US
Fee on request no minimum
16
Serves Global
Fee on request
17
Serves Australia
Fee on request
18
Founded 2017Serves US, Canada
Fee on request
19
Serves US, UK, Australia, Canada
Fee on request
20
5 named clients Serves US
Fee on request monthly retainer, no minimum
21
Serves US
Fee on request
How this list is built. Every firm and practitioner here offers fractional CRO work on its own site. Order is editor's pick, then a published fee, then name. Nobody pays to appear or to move up. Full methodology.
CRO guides
- What is a fractional CROA fractional CRO owns the revenue number: pipeline, forecast, sales process, comp plans and the first sales hires. Scope, hours, fees from $6,000 and when to hire.
- How much a fractional CRO costsFractional CRO retainers start around $6,000 to $7,000 a month and run past $20,000. Price drivers, hourly rates, revenue bonuses, recruiting fees and how to read a quote.
- Fractional CRO vs interim CROAn interim CRO leads a sales team full-time through a gap; a fractional CRO builds the revenue engine part-time over months. When each fits, costs, PE and exit cases.
- Fractional CRO vs full-time CROA full-time CRO carries $300,000 to $500,000 in on-target earnings; a fractional CRO $70,000 to $240,000 a year. The math, the team-size threshold and the trade-offs.
- Fractional CRO vs consultantA sales consultant or trainer delivers a process, a playbook or training; a fractional CRO owns pipeline, forecast and team. Scope, pricing and decision rights.
- Fractional CRO vs coachingWhen a founder at $1M to $5M should hire a fractional CRO, when founder sales coaching is the better buy, and when to combine them. Costs, signs and a test.
- How to become a fractional CROThe path from sales leader to fractional CRO: proof in numbers, a niche, retainers from $6,000 a month, bonus terms, contracts, insurance and a referral pipeline.
Questions founders ask
How much does a fractional CRO cost?
Published fractional CRO retainers start around $6,000 to $7,000 a month and run to $20,000 or more; $8,000 to $15,000 is common, and some deals add a bonus on new revenue. 4 firms and practitioners on this page publish a monthly fee, from $2,280 to $12,000 a month. The other 17 quote.
How many hours a week does a fractional CRO work?
A fractional CRO typically works 10 to 20 hours a week, with the weekly pipeline review and forecast call as fixed points.
What is the difference between a fractional and an interim CRO?
An interim CRO works full time for a fixed period, usually while the company hires a permanent one. A fractional CRO works part of the week, often for two to four companies at once, and can stay for years.
How long do fractional CRO engagements last?
Engagements typically run 6 to 18 months, with a three-month minimum the most common starting term. 5 firms on this page publish a minimum term; the longest is 3 months.
Do fractional CROs take equity?
Some do, mostly with venture-backed startups. No firm on this page publishes an equity plus cash model, so ask on the first call.