Solopreneurs often struggle with gaps in expertise—like marketing or finance—when running their businesses alone. While freelancers can help, they typically don’t offer the long-term, invested partnership of a co-founder. This creates an opportunity for a service that provides solopreneurs with dedicated, high-commitment support in specific areas, mimicking the benefits of a co-founder without the equity or permanent commitment.

A flexible, performance-driven support system

One way this could work is by offering solopreneurs access to professionals who act as temporary or ongoing co-founders for a monthly fee. Unlike traditional freelancers, these experts would provide strategic input and deeper involvement, with optional performance-based incentives (e.g., bonuses tied to revenue growth). The service could include tiered plans, from ad-hoc support to full-time involvement, and specialize in industries like tech or e-commerce. For solopreneurs, this model balances affordability with expertise, while professionals could earn flexible income and diversify their experience.

Differentiation from existing solutions

Compared to platforms like Upwork or Toptal, which focus on short-term or transactional work, this idea emphasizes long-term collaboration and aligned incentives. Fractional executives serve larger companies, but this would target solopreneurs and early-stage startups needing scalable, niche support. The key advantage is flexibility: solopreneurs gain strategic partners without equity dilution, while experts benefit from performance rewards and varied projects.

Starting small and scaling smart

An MVP could begin with a simple website offering fixed support packages (e.g., 10 marketing hours/month) and a vetted pool of professionals. Early validation might involve a waitlist or pilot testimonials. Scaling could introduce industry specialization, tiered subscriptions, and tools for matching solopreneurs with experts. Challenges like ensuring expert commitment might be addressed through clear KPIs and revenue-sharing models, while scalability could rely on training programs and automated workflows.

By bridging the gap between freelancing and co-founding, this idea could provide solopreneurs with tailored, invested support—helping them grow without compromising independence.