Who this is for
Teams shipping GenAI & RAG
Non-technical founders
Startups building a BI stack
Pre-seed to Series A startups
Teams pivoting into AI
VCs needing AI/data diligence
What's included
AI strategy & architecture
Set the data and AI direction. Review GenAI and RAG architectures, make build-vs-buy calls, pick models and vendors, and sequence the roadmap around real leverage.
- GenAI & RAG architecture review
- Model, vendor & agent selection
- Build vs buy decisions
- 90-day data/AI roadmap
Data & BI stack
Stand up the analytics and BI layer. Data warehouse, pipelines, dashboards, and the metrics that actually drive decisions — drawing on Data Engineer and PowerBI experience from element61.
- Warehouse & pipeline design
- PowerBI / Looker / dashboards
- Metric frameworks & KPIs
- Data quality & governance
Hiring & team
Build the data & AI function. Scorecards, sourcing, technical interviews, and onboarding for data scientists, ML engineers, and analytics hires — using the same playbook as Le Wagon B2B programmes.
- Role definition & levelling
- Technical interview loops
- Compensation benchmarking
- First-90-day plans
What you get from the engagement
A written 90-day data & AI plan your team actually executes against
Confidence that your GenAI and RAG architecture will scale past your next 10x of usage
A BI and analytics stack that produces the metrics your leadership team actually trusts
Senior data and AI hires closed — with scorecards, process, and onboarding in place
A data/AI narrative that investors, design partners, and recruits believe
A sparring partner for the hardest calls — with direct, honest feedback
A handoff plan for when your full-time Head of Data & AI arrives
Typical engagement shape
Starter
2 days per week equivalent. Good fit for pre-seed teams and single-product startups shipping their first GenAI or RAG features.
- 2 days per week
- Weekly leadership meeting
- 3-month minimum
- Async Slack / email access
Core
3 days per week equivalent. Typical for seed-stage teams actively hiring data/AI talent and running significant GenAI or analytics build-out.
- 3 days per week
- Daily presence during sprints
- Active in hiring loops
- Board representation
Interim Head of Data & AI
Near-full-time coverage while you recruit a permanent Head of Data & AI. Includes active handoff plan and onboarding support for the incoming hire.
- 4 days per week
- Full leadership responsibilities
- Handoff plan included
- Equity component available
Book an intro call
Let's see if there's a fit
A 30-minute intro call to understand your stage, the problem you're trying to solve, and whether a Fractional Head of Data & AI is the right shape of help.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Fractional Head of Data & AI actually do?
Cedric acts as your embedded data and AI lead — setting AI strategy, designing GenAI and RAG architectures, standing up the BI and analytics stack, hiring data and AI talent, and representing the data/AI story to investors, design partners, and the board.
How much does a Fractional Head of Data & AI cost?
Pricing depends on scope, cadence, and how embedded you need Cedric to be. The best next step is to reach out with your stage, team setup, and current priorities for a tailored quote.
Who is this for?
Pre-seed to Series A teams shipping GenAI or RAG features without a senior data/AI leader, non-technical founders who need an experienced data and AI voice, startups standing up a BI stack, and VCs needing data/AI diligence on portfolio companies.
How is this different from a Fractional CTO?
A Fractional CTO owns the whole engineering org — frontend, backend, DevOps, and everything in between. This role is narrower and deeper: it owns the data and AI function specifically. That's the right shape of help when the rest of your engineering is already covered but your AI, RAG, and analytics leadership isn't.
What's the minimum commitment?
3 months minimum — shorter engagements don't have time to create real leverage. Most engagements run 6 months, at which point you either extend, move to advisory, or hand off to a full-time Head of Data & AI.
Can you take equity instead of cash?
Partial equity is available for the right fit — typically a blended cash + equity package, not equity-only. This is discussed on the intro call once scope is clear.
What if I just need a one-off review or second opinion?
Start with a consulting session. That's the right shape of help for a one-off architecture review or a single decision, without a 3-month commitment.
Need a data & AI voice in the room?
Book a 30-minute intro call to scope the fit.
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