How I help startups

Advisory conversations and guidance—not traditional consulting. You get clear thinking on hard problems, not billable hours and deliverables.

Let's grab coffee

No commitment, just a conversation

Sometimes you just want to talk through something with someone who's been there. We can do a coffee or video call—once or twice—and just chat about what's on your mind.

No strings attached. If it's helpful, great. If not, no hard feelings.

Most common

Ongoing advisory

I become part of your extended team

For startups that want ongoing access to security expertise, I'm available whenever you need me—not just for scheduled meetings.

What this looks like

  • I join your Slack (or whatever you use)
  • Available for calls, emails, or meetings any time
  • Regular advisory catch-up, usually quarterly
  • Work directly with your team on specific problems
  • Resources, templates, and sensible starting points for policies and docs
  • Introductions to trusted consultants, partners, and other founders who've faced similar challenges

The founders who get the most out of it ping me regularly and introduce me to their teams so I can help where it matters. Sometimes I'll do mini projects—like helping build an interview process—when it makes sense.

How I structure advisory relationships

I don't charge hourly fees. I work for equity or options—which means I'm genuinely invested in your success.

For founders who want to formalize the relationship, I typically use the FAST Agreement (Founder/Advisor Standard Template) from the Founder Institute. It's a simple, founder-friendly framework that both parties can understand in minutes.

What the FAST Agreement covers

  • Equity compensation based on company stage and engagement level
  • Vesting schedule (typically 2 years with no cliff)
  • Clear expectations for both sides
  • Standard terms that protect everyone

The FAST Agreement has sensible defaults, but everything is open to negotiation. Every startup is different, and I'm flexible on the specifics.

Why equity instead of cash?

Simple: it aligns incentives. If I'm only valuable when you succeed, I'll work harder to make sure you do. It also means early-stage startups can access experienced advice without burning runway.

If you're curious about how this works in practice, just ask. I'm happy to walk through it.

What this isn't

To set expectations clearly:

  • ✕ Not hands-on implementation. I don't configure your AWS accounts or write your security policies. I help you decide what to do—you (or your team) do it.
  • ✕ Not paid consulting. I don't charge hourly or daily rates. I work for equity, which means I only win when you do.
  • ✕ Not a fractional CISO. I'm not going to your board meetings or managing your security team. I'm an advisor, not an operator.
  • ✕ Not penetration testing. If you need a pentest, I can recommend good vendors—but that's not what I do.

Let's talk about what you need

Every startup's situation is different. Tell me what's on your mind and we'll figure out if I can help.

Send me an email Connect on LinkedIn