The Startup Program.

The startup can't write a $200K check, but it needs exactly what the analyst brings: the judgment that shortens the sales cycle, the network that opens doors, and the independent voice that validates the story with investors and customers.

A per-hour consulting arrangement does not work either - everything needs care and feeding. The equity aligns the incentive: Howard wins when the company wins.

• Advisory calls. 4 hours/month of Howard's judgment: strategy, positioning, market entry, deal strategy.
• Sales enablement. A monthly session with your sales team - stalled deals, role play, buyer perspective.
• Positioning & messaging. Ongoing independent takes on the story as the company evolves.
• External voice. LinkedIn mentions and inclusion in market conversations, as relevant.
• Board track adds. Board participation, investor introductions, and market validation for the deck and diligence.

$10K/mo gets close to Analyst in Residence-level access - the advisory hours, the sales enablement, the external voice - because the equity is the real compensation.

Howard's equity in your cap table is the honest signal that he believes in the company - worth more in a diligence room than any testimonial.

Every agency will wordsmith your message. We are the buyer you are trying to reach. Howard Holton has been the CIO, the CTO, and the CISO, more than once, across many companies, sizes, and industries. This is not one analyst's opinion. It is the read of the person who signs the check.

Advisor: $10K/mo + ~1% equity. Board: $10K/mo + 5-10%. Pre-seed sits at the high end of the equity range; Series B at the low end. The dials turn per company.

Founding Client: start your first engagement by July 31 and take 40% off, as one of a small charter group, in exchange for becoming a reference.