Shiny and Fractionus are both pre-vetted fractional executive marketplaces, built around different markets and different commercial models. Shiny is US-focused and optimised for startups and SMBs, with a 10% ongoing markup on every invoice and end-to-end handling of contracts, payments, and 1099s. Fractionus operates natively across Australia, the US, and the UK, with a ranked shortlist returned typically within 24 hours and pricing set upfront as a day rate or retainer.
If you're choosing between them, the question is whether you're hiring inside the US with the platform handling admin, or hiring across multiple markets with pricing you can model over the full engagement.
Fractionus is a vetted marketplace of fractional C-suite operators across Australia, the US, and the UK. Every executive is screened before being listed, and our team takes your brief and returns a ranked shortlist (typically within 24 hours) based on functional fit, industry experience, seniority, and the market you're hiring into. Engagements are retainer-based, with executives embedded in the business two to four days per week, and can run as an ongoing fractional arrangement or convert to a full-time appointment where the fit proves out, with terms agreed case by case. Pricing is set upfront as a day rate or retainer, without a percentage added to every invoice.
Founders, CEOs, and boards hiring a fractional executive across any C-suite function, particularly those operating across multiple English-speaking markets or hiring outside the United States. Particularly strong fit for Series A to C startups, PE-backed portfolio companies, and scale-ups that want pricing they can model over the life of the engagement.
Companies that want the platform to handle US-specific payroll administration such as 1099 filing end-to-end, where Shiny's model covers that directly. 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 are comfortable with a percentage markup on each invoice. Strong fit for founders raising rounds or building go-to-market traction with a small team and limited HR infrastructure.
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 want to know what the engagement costs over its life, Fractionus is the more transparent option. Our day-rate and retainer pricing is set upfront and doesn't carry a per-invoice percentage. Shiny applies a 10% markup to every invoice, which compounds across a multi-year fractional engagement, and a 15% recruiting fee on first-year cash compensation if the role converts to full-time. Fractionus agrees conversion terms case by case rather than applying a fixed percentage.
If you're an early-stage US startup wanting low upfront cost and end-to-end admin, Shiny is well-positioned for that. The platform handles contracts, invoicing, payments, and 1099s, signing up is free with no deposit or search fee, and the 10% markup keeps initial outlay low. Fractionus is built for companies that want a vetted, ranked shortlist within 24 hours and pricing they can model over the full engagement.
See every role Fractionus places on the fractional talent hub, or weigh up the other platforms on our comparison index.
