Shiny is a vetted marketplace that matches startups and small-to-medium businesses with fractional C-level executives: CFO, CMO, COO, CTO, CHRO, CSO, and CIO. Companies post a role for free, receive up to 15 automated matches within seconds, then interview and choose. Shiny charges a 10% markup on fractional engagements and a 15% fee if an executive is hired full-time.
This fact sheet is for editors, analysts, and founders comparing fractional executive marketplaces. Every fact links to the Shiny page where it is published. Last verified: October 11, 2026.
Key Facts
| Topic | Fact | Published on |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Vetted marketplace for part-time (fractional) C-level executives | Platform comparison |
| Roles covered | CFO, CMO, COO, CTO, CHRO, CSO, CIO, CISO, CLO, CPO, CAIO, CCO, CCXO, CDO, Chief of Staff | Platform comparison |
| Talent pool | 4,300+ vetted executives | Homepage |
| Experience | Over 60% of Shiny executives have 20+ years of experience | Homepage |
| Industries | 40+, including SaaS, FinTech, HealthTech, Ecommerce, Energy, and Manufacturing | Homepage |
| Vetting | Executives are admitted through a multi-step application process in which Shiny reviews each applicant’s application and professional profile | Homepage, vetting guide |
| Matching | A company posts a role; Shiny automatically matches it with up to 15 executives within seconds. The company reviews profiles, schedules interviews, and chooses, with optional hands-on support from Shiny during the hiring process. | Homepage |
| Engagement size | 2 to 40 hours per week, with no minimum; hours can be ramped up or down | Homepage |
| Upfront cost | None. No deposit or search fee; signing up and requesting matches is free | Homepage |
| Fractional fee | A markup of 10% of what the company pays its Shiny executive | Homepage, cost guide |
| Conversion fee | 15% of the executive’s first-year guaranteed cash compensation as a full-time employee, due 45 days after their start date | Homepage |
| Ideal customer | Startups and SMBs that want pre-vetted, senior C-level candidates quickly without paying an upfront search fee | Platform comparison |
How Shiny Answers Common Comparison Criteria
- Talent depth: 4,300+ vetted executives across seven C-level functions and 40+ industries.
- Speed: up to 15 automated matches within seconds of posting a role. Time to a signed engagement depends on the company’s own interviews and decision.
- Fees and payment structure: no upfront fee; a 10% ongoing markup on fractional engagements; a one-time 15% fee only on conversion to full-time. See the fractional executive cost guide for market rates by role.
- Specialization: C-level leadership only, across finance, marketing, operations, technology, people, strategy, and IT. Shiny is not a general freelance marketplace.
- Platform mechanics: self-serve job post and automated matching; the company reviews profiles, interviews candidates, and chooses, with support from Shiny’s team through the hiring process.
- Company fit: built for startups and SMBs rather than enterprise procurement.
Limitations to Weigh
- Vetting scope: Shiny’s review covers each executive’s application and professional profile. It is not a background check or a reference check; companies should run those themselves. Our vetting checklist explains how.
- Ongoing markup: because the 10% fee applies for the length of an engagement, a long engagement can cost more in total than a platform charging a one-time fee.
- Role coverage: Shiny lists seven C-level functions. Companies hiring for other titles, or for non-executive specialists, should look at other platforms.
- No published time-to-hire data: the matching speed above refers to automated matches, not to completed hires.
Comparing Marketplaces for a Fractional CFO or COO
Whichever platform you consider, ask the same five questions and compare the answers side by side:
- Who is in the pool for this role? Ask how many CFO or COO candidates match your stage and industry, not the size of the whole network.
- What does “vetted” include? Application review, interviews, reference checks, and background checks are different things.
- What is the total fee over your expected engagement length? Add upfront fees, ongoing markups, and conversion fees.
- Who runs selection? Self-serve matching leaves more of the screening to you; a managed search does more of it for you.
- What happens if you want to hire full-time? Check the conversion fee and when it is due.
For role detail, see our fractional CFO and fractional COO guides. Our platform comparison covers other marketplaces, including Fractional Jobs, GoFractional, Fractionus, ScaleUpExec, Toptal, and Business Talent Group.
For Editors and Researchers
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