Startups—especially in fintech—face a unique kind of pressure. They’re expected to scale fast, prove traction, and establish brand credibility, often with limited internal resources and no clear marketing leadership. That gap between product and market isn’t just inconvenient—it’s expensive.
Enter the fractional CMO for Fintech: a flexible, high-level solution for companies that need strategic marketing direction but aren’t ready (or willing) to commit to a full-time executive hire.
This article highlights ten standout firms and consultants offering fractional CMO services tailored for startups. Each brings a distinct approach to solving early-stage growth challenges—from refining go-to-market plans to building entire demand engines.
But before we get to the list, it’s worth stepping back to clarify one thing: What exactly is a fractional CMO?
What Is a Fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO is a senior marketing leader who works with a company part-time or on a contract basis, delivering strategic direction without the full-time cost. They bridge the gap between strategy and execution, aligning marketing with business goals—especially useful for startups not ready to hire a full in-house CMO.
What a Fractional CMO Can Do:
- Craft and refine go-to-market strategies
- Develop brand positioning and messaging frameworks
- Lead demand generation and performance marketing
- Oversee marketing team hires and agency partners
- Optimize customer acquisition funnels
- Set marketing KPIs and reporting dashboards
- Align product marketing with customer needs
- Advise on MarTech stack and CRM implementation
- Manage PR, thought leadership, and content strategy
- Coach founders and sales teams on market alignment
Startups bring in fractional CMOs to add seasoned leadership, sharpen focus, and drive growth without overextending their burn rate.
1. GrowTal
For fintech companies in need of experienced marketing leadership—but without the overhead of a full-time hire—GrowTal offers a smarter, faster way forward. We connect startups and growth-stage teams with seasoned professionals who step in as interim CMOs. These experts bring strategic clarity, marketing structure, and hands-on leadership to the stage where it matters most. No matter what you’re planning – market launches, pipeline building or rethinking your positioning, GrowTal helps you move with confidence.
Our GrowTal Marketing Experts can support a wide range of needs, including:
- Interim CMO leadership and marketing team oversight
- Go-to-market strategy and execution
- Paid media, SEO, and performance channel planning
- Brand development and messaging
- CRM, funnel design, and marketing ops
- Budget planning and agency/vendor management
What makes our model different is how targeted and flexible it is. Each expert is carefully vetted for both strategic thinking and hands-on ability, so you’re not just hiring advice—you’re gaining a partner who can deliver. Backed by platform-level tools and real-world startup experience, our marketers are equipped to boost your brand with an interim CMO who knows how to drive outcomes—interested in finding the right expert for your team? Contact us now.
- HQ: Los Angeles, CA
- Founded: 2019
- Website: growtal.com
- Email: team@growtal.com
2. CSTMR
CSTMR provides fractional CMO support to fintech companies looking to build strong foundations for growth. Their work typically starts with positioning and messaging and then extends into demand generation, website optimization, and customer experience. They often work with early to mid-stage startups that need strategic direction alongside executional guidance.
Because they focus mainly on financial services, CSTMR brings a clear understanding of the industry’s unique constraints—compliance, credibility, and customer trust. That perspective shapes how they build strategies: tightly structured, conversion-oriented, and grounded in how real customers make decisions in financial contexts.
- HQ: Austin, Texas, USA
- Founded: 2014
- Website: cstmr.com
- Email: https://cstmr.com/contact-us/
3. mvpGrow
mvpGrow provides fractional CMO services for B2B fintech and tech companies, combining high-level strategy with execution across content, paid media, SEO, CRM, and HubSpot. They often work with startups looking to build or scale their marketing function without hiring a full in-house team. Typical engagements include GTM strategy, channel prioritization, and funnel development.
What makes them stand out is their full-stack approach. mvpGrow operates as a “marketing department on demand,” pairing strategic leadership with an execution team that can implement quickly. It’s a model that suits early-stage companies needing both direction and delivery—without overextending headcount.
- HQ: Nicosia, Cyprus
- Founded: 2017
- Website: mvpgrow.com
- Email: Contact via website chatbot
4. Chief Outsiders
Chief Outsiders is a national firm that places experienced fractional CMOs into B2B companies across sectors, including fintech, SaaS, and professional services. Their model is designed for companies that need senior marketing leadership but don’t yet require—or can’t yet justify—a full-time executive. They support everything from market strategy to team oversight and revenue planning.
Unlike smaller firms or solo consultants, Chief Outsiders offers access to a large bench of over 120 vetted CMOs. Their GrowthGears framework provides structure for diagnosing and fixing marketing gaps, while their internal Growth Councils give clients cross-industry insight and peer-tested strategies.
- HQ: Houston, TX (with regional offices across the U.S.)
- Founded: 2009
- Website: chiefoutsiders.com
- Email: https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/contact-us
5. NinjaPromo
For fintech and crypto companies operating in fast-evolving markets, NinjaPromo offers a marketing model built around speed, consistency, and accountability. They provide fractional CMO leadership bundled into a full-service subscription that includes campaign strategy, content, paid media, social, and influencer work.
The structure is built for momentum. Rather than one-off projects or isolated consulting, NinjaPromo runs continuous growth campaigns under a flat-fee subscription—giving startups access to both strategic input and regular execution without expanding internal headcount.
- HQ: London, UK
- Founded: 2017
- Website: ninjapromo.io
- Email: hello@ninjapromo.io
6. Select Advisors Institute
Some marketing challenges call for a more personal, hands-on approach. Select Advisors Institute offers fractional CMO services for fintech, wealth, and asset management companies that need to elevate their brand, communications, and client engagement. Their work often focuses on messaging, thought leadership, and content systems designed to build trust—especially through channels like newsletters and webinars.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the firm brings deep experience in financial marketing and tailors its strategy to the specific dynamics of the client’s audience and growth model. That focus on relevance over volume makes them well-suited to firms where credibility and clarity matter more than reach.
- HQ: Irvine, CA, USA
- Founded: 2014
- Website: selectadvisorsinstitute.com
- Email: info@select-advisors.com
7. NoGood
For early-stage companies that need to grow quickly but lack in-house marketing leadership, NoGood offers a practical solution. They provide fractional CMOs who work alongside startup teams to shape strategy, prioritize channels, and coordinate execution. The model is designed for fast-moving environments, where clarity and traction matter more than process.
NoGood comes out of the growth-hacking world, and that mindset shapes how they operate—agile, data-led, and focused on outcomes. Their fractional CMOs don’t just advise; they work with dedicated execution teams across paid media, SEO, content, and CRO to drive measurable growth, especially for B2B, SaaS, and fintech startups.
- HQ: New York, NY (SoHo), with teams in Los Angeles and Miami
- Founded: 2016
- Website: nogood.io
- Email: hello@nogood.io
8. Authentic Brand
Authentic Brand works with B2B and mid-market companies that need senior marketing leadership but aren’t ready to hire a full-time CMO. Their fractional leaders help build marketing strategies from the ground up—aligning brand, demand generation, team development, and sales enablement. While not fintech-exclusive, they’ve worked with fintech-adjacent firms that need structured, scalable marketing leadership.
Their standout feature is Authentic Growth®, a proprietary Marketing Operating System. It’s a platform of processes, tools, and peer support—meant to bring discipline and rhythm to marketing, eliminate “random acts,” and build predictable revenue engines. Clients benefit not only from a seasoned CMO but also from the collective insight of their fractional CMO community.
- HQ: Minneapolis, MN
- Founded: 2017
- Website: authenticbrand.com
- Email: https://authenticbrand.com/contact/
9. Kalungi
For startups navigating early growth, Kalungi offers a structured way to build a marketing function from scratch. They work with B2B SaaS and fintech-adjacent companies to shape go-to-market strategy, drive demand, and manage execution through a mix of fractional CMO leadership and full-agency support. Their model covers everything from messaging and content to CRM and performance channels.
What makes Kalungi stand out is their structured, startup-specific approach. They use a framework called T2D3—Triple, Triple, Double, Double, Double—to guide marketing plans through early-stage scaling. For companies unsure about long-term commitment, they also offer short-term trial engagements to test the fit before ramping up.
- HQ: Seattle, WA
- Founded: 2018
- Website: kalungi.com
- Email: contact@kalungi.com
10. Marketri
Not every fintech company wants a niche or hyper-targeted marketing partner—some are looking for a broader B2B growth engine. Marketri offers fractional CMO services for companies that want structured, scalable marketing grounded in planning and analytics. Their team builds end-to-end strategies, often combining brand development, content marketing, and demand generation under one roof.
Their focus is on accountability. Marketri is highly data-driven, tying every marketing initiative to ROI and long-term pipeline health. It’s a good fit for fintech companies that need more than creative campaigns—they want forecasting, metrics, and a marketing function that scales with the business.
- HQ: Philadelphia, PA
- Founded: 2004
- Website: marketri.com
- Email: dandrews@marketri.com
Conclusion
Finding the right fractional CMO for fintech isn’t just about filling a leadership gap—it’s about unlocking momentum with the right strategic partner. Whether you need help shaping a go-to-market plan, optimizing acquisition, or building a scalable marketing function, these providers offer a range of approaches to fit your stage and priorities. The key is choosing a model that aligns with your goals, not just your budget. A well-matched fractional CMO can bring clarity, structure, and speed—without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire.
FAQs
How much should you pay a fractional CMO?
Rates typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on the scope, hours, and experience level. Some charge hourly or project-based fees, but most work on a monthly retainer tied to a specific engagement model.
Is a fractional CMO worth it?
If you need senior marketing leadership but aren’t ready for a full-time hire, a fractional CMO can bring strategic focus and executional guidance at a lower cost. It’s especially valuable for startups looking to accelerate growth while managing burn rate.
What is a fractional CMO for SaaS?
A fractional CMO for SaaS helps shape and execute marketing strategy part-time, often focusing on demand generation, product positioning, and revenue growth. They’re particularly useful during early scaling phases when marketing complexity grows, but headcount is limited.
How can I become a fractional CMO?
Start by building a strong track record in senior marketing roles, ideally in high-growth or startup environments. From there, develop a clear service offering and begin networking with companies that need leadership but aren’t ready to hire full-time.
