Shiny and Fractionus are both pre-vetted fractional executive marketplaces, but they're built around different markets and different commercial models. Shiny is US-focused and optimised for startups and SMBs, with a 10% ongoing markup on engagements and a 15% conversion fee if a fractional hire is converted to full-time. Fractionus operates across Australia, the US, and the UK, with a retainer-based commercial model built specifically for ongoing fractional engagements rather than conversion to permanent hire.
If you're choosing between them, the question is whether you're hiring in the US for a startup with potential to convert to full-time, or hiring across multiple markets for an ongoing fractional engagement.
Fractionus is built for ongoing fractional engagements, not as a feeder for permanent hires. Our retainer-based commercial model is structured around executives embedded across multiple clients on a long-term basis, typically two to four days per week, with no default conversion path to full-time. The platform's incentives are aligned with the engagement continuing as a fractional one for as long as it serves the business. Every executive is vetted before being listed, and our team returns a ranked shortlist (typically within 24 hours) based on functional fit, industry experience, and location.
Founders, CEOs, and boards hiring a fractional executive for the long term, not as a try-before-you-buy on a permanent hire. Particularly strong fit for Series A–C startups, PE-backed portfolio companies, and scale-ups operating across multiple English-speaking markets where the role is structurally fractional, not transitional.
Companies that view a fractional engagement primarily as a path to full-time conversion, where Shiny's model is built specifically for that use case. Also not the right fit for short-term gigs, junior freelancers, or roles below Head of / VP level.
Shiny is a US-based fractional executive marketplace headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, operated by Vendux LLC. The platform originally launched as SiliconCFO before rebranding and expanding beyond fractional CFO placements. Shiny matches startups and SMBs with vetted fractional executives across CFO, CMO, CTO, COO, CHRO, CRO, and other C-suite roles, with engagements ranging from 2 to 40 hours per week and a model designed for fast matching with low upfront cost.
US-based startups and SMBs that need senior fractional leadership quickly, want a curated shortlist with the platform handling contracts and payments, and value the option to convert a fractional hire into a full-time role. Strong fit for founders raising rounds or building go-to-market traction with a small team and limited HR infrastructure.
If you're hiring for an ongoing fractional engagement with no plan to convert, Fractionus is the stronger choice. Our retainer-based commercial model is built around long-term fractional work, with executives embedded across multiple clients rather than on a track to a single permanent hire. Shiny's commercial model includes a 15% conversion fee on first-year cash compensation, which can create misaligned incentives if you genuinely want an ongoing fractional engagement only.
If you're hiring outside the United States, Fractionus is built for it. Our platform operates natively across Australia, the US, and the UK. Shiny is US-headquartered and optimised for the US market, including US-specific tax handling like 1099s. International hiring through Shiny is possible but the platform infrastructure is built around US norms.
If you're an early-stage US startup looking for fast matching with light overhead and a path to full-time, Shiny is well-positioned for that. The platform handles contracts, invoicing, payments, and 1099s end-to-end, the 10% markup keeps upfront costs low, and the conversion-to-full-time path is built in. Fractionus engagements are built for companies that want ongoing fractional support without a default path to permanent hire.
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