Advisory Services

Services & Engagement Packages

Strategy, structure, and capital-readiness for founders and funded companies.

What We Do

We work with founders and operators to turn business ideas into structured, fundable, operationally ready companies. Our engagements combine strategic clarity with the practical artifacts investors, boards, and operators actually need — validated market analysis, clean organizational design, defensible strategic plans, investor-grade business plans, and financial models that hold up under due diligence.

Every engagement is fixed-scope and fixed-fee, with clearly defined deliverables, review cycles, and timelines. You know what you're getting, what it costs, and when it's done — before we start.

In addition to advisory services, HQ Consulting is a DDTC-Registered Broker with the U.S. Department of State and provides brokerage services for U.S. and foreign defense transactions under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Defense trade engagements are outlined as a separate service line later in this document.

Who These Packages Are Built For

Pre-revenue founders validating an idea, stress-testing a concept, or preparing to formalize and launch. The earlier tiers (1–3) are designed to prevent expensive mistakes before you commit capital or time.

Funded startups and operating companies that need an outside perspective on strategy, a board-ready business plan, or a financial model they can take into a raise, a partnership negotiation, or a board meeting. Tiers 3–5 and the custom engagements are built for this work.

The packages below scale with where you are. Not sure which fits? Start with the Strategic Diagnostic — it's designed exactly for that.

Fixed-Scope · Fixed-Fee

Engagement Tiers

Tier 0

Strategic Diagnostic

90-minute working session · 48-hour written follow-up

Investment

$1,500

A focused working session to diagnose where you are, what you actually need, and whether a larger engagement is the right next step. This is not a sales call dressed up as consulting — it's a paid, structured diagnostic designed to give you clarity even if we never work together again.

What You Get

Pre-session brief: short questionnaire and review of any materials you send ahead
90-minute structured session: diagnostic across concept, market, structure, and readiness
Written follow-up (within 48 hours): summary of findings, risks we identified, and a recommended path forward
Credit toward a full engagement: the $1,500 is fully credited against any Tier 1–5 package booked within 30 days

Best For

Anyone uncertain whether a full engagement is the right investment — or which tier fits best.

Tier 1

Proof of Concept Assessment

1-week engagement

Investment

$5,000

A one-week feasibility and market viability assessment of your business concept. You walk away with an honest, evidence-based read on whether the idea has legs — before you spend real money and time building it out.

Deliverables

Feasibility Assessment: 10–12 page written analysis covering concept viability, core assumptions, and critical risks
Market Viability Snapshot: addressable market sizing, competitive landscape, and demand signals
Go / Adjust / Kill recommendation: clear directional guidance with supporting rationale
90-minute findings review: live walkthrough and Q&A

Process

Day 1: Kickoff and discovery interview (60–90 min)
Days 2–4: Research, analysis, and drafting
Day 5: Delivery and findings review

Best For

Pre-revenue founders deciding whether to commit capital or quit their job to pursue an idea. Funded companies evaluating a new product line, market entry, or pivot.

Tier 2

Business Structure Plan

2-week engagement

Investment

$9,500

Includes everything in Tier 1

Everything in Tier 1, plus a complete organizational blueprint: the legal structure, ownership design, and operating model your business needs to stand up correctly the first time. Getting this wrong early is expensive to unwind later.

Additional Deliverables

Entity Structure Recommendation: LLC vs. C-Corp vs. S-Corp analysis with jurisdiction guidance
Ownership & Equity Design: founder splits, vesting, option pool sizing, and cap table foundation
Organizational Design: roles, reporting lines, and initial hiring sequence
Governance Framework: decision rights, operating cadence, and board/advisor structure
Formation Checklist: sequenced action list for execution (with your attorney and accountant)

Best For

Founders who have validated the idea and are ready to formalize — before writing the operating agreement or bringing on a co-founder.

Tier 3

Strategic Plan & Roadmap

4-week engagement

Investment

$25,000

Includes everything in Tiers 1 & 2

Everything in Tiers 1 and 2, plus a concise, operator-grade strategic plan that translates the concept into a 12–24 month roadmap. This is the engagement that takes you from "we have an idea and a structure" to "we know exactly what we're doing next quarter, and the quarter after that."

Additional Deliverables

Strategic Plan (15–20 pages): vision, positioning, growth strategy, and success metrics
12–24 Month Roadmap: phased milestones, critical path, and resource requirements
Go-to-Market Strategy: target segments, channels, pricing approach, and launch sequence
Key Risk Register: prioritized risks with mitigation strategies
Two review cycles: structured revisions based on your feedback

Best For

Pre-revenue founders ready to move from concept into disciplined execution. Funded startups planning the next phase of growth or preparing for a strategic inflection point.

Tier 4

Business Plan Build-Out

8-week engagement

Investment

$45,000

Includes everything in Tiers 1, 2 & 3

Everything in Tiers 1–3, plus a complete, investor-and-board-ready business plan. This is the document you hand to a bank, a board, a partner, or a strategic investor when they ask for the full picture.

Additional Deliverables

Complete Business Plan (25–35 pages): executive summary, company overview, market analysis, product/service strategy, operations plan, marketing & sales strategy, management team, and financial highlights
Executive Summary (standalone, 2 pages): for warm introductions and quick circulation
Supporting Appendices: competitive matrix, market research citations, and assumptions log
Presentation-ready version: formatted for distribution to stakeholders
Two review cycles: plus 30 days of post-delivery Q&A

Best For

Founders and operators who need a credible, thorough plan for lenders, partners, early investors, or internal alignment.

Tier 5

Financial Model Development

12-week engagement

Investment

$70,000

Includes everything in Tiers 1, 2, 3 & 4

Everything in Tiers 1–4, plus a validated, investor-grade financial model. "Validated" means benchmarked against comparable companies, stress-tested under multiple scenarios, and built to withstand real investor due diligence.

Additional Deliverables

3–5 Year Financial Model: fully linked P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow with driver-based revenue build
Scenario Analysis: base, upside, and downside cases with toggleable assumptions
Sensitivity Analysis: key driver sensitivities and break-even analysis
Benchmark Validation: assumptions tested against comparable companies and industry data
Unit Economics: CAC, LTV, payback period, and contribution margin where applicable
Model Documentation: assumptions log, methodology notes, and user guide
Investor Walkthrough Deck: 10–12 slides summarizing the model for investor conversations
Two review cycles: plus 60 days of post-delivery Q&A and minor adjustments

Best For

Founders and operators preparing to raise capital, negotiate a partnership, plan a strategic transaction, or make major capital allocation decisions.

At A Glance

Package Comparison

Deliverable	T1	T2	T3	T4	T5
Duration	1 wk	2 wks	4 wks	8 wks	12 wks
Investment	$5,000	$9,500	$25,000	$45,000	$70,000
Proof of Concept / Feasibility	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Market Viability Analysis	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Organizational & Structure Plan	—	✓	✓	✓	✓
Strategic Plan & Roadmap	—	—	✓	✓	✓
Complete Business Plan	—	—	—	✓	✓
Validated Financial Model	—	—	—	—	✓

For Funded Companies

À La Carte

Funded companies that already have validation, structure, and strategy in place can engage directly for a single deliverable without working through earlier tiers:

Standalone Business Plan

$45,0006–8 weeks

Standalone Financial Model

$70,0008–10 weeks

À la carte engagements include a condensed diagnostic at kickoff to confirm foundational work is in place. If we identify gaps, we'll flag them before proceeding.

Retained

Custom Engagements

For clients who need ongoing involvement rather than a fixed-scope project, three retained engagements are available. Each is tailored to the specific situation and scoped in a separate letter of engagement.

Fractional C-Suite Leader

$12,000–$18,000 / month · 6-month min.

Embedded executive leadership — CEO, COO, CFO, or CSO — for companies that need senior operational horsepower without a full-time hire. Scope typically includes leading a key function, running operating cadence, representing the company with investors or partners, and building the team that will eventually replace the role.

When it fits — Funded startups between pivotal hires, or pre-revenue companies whose founder needs an experienced operator alongside them for a defined window.

Strategic Board Advisor

Quarterly retainer · cash and/or equity

Ongoing advisory relationship with structured quarterly engagement, monthly check-ins, and on-call availability for high-stakes decisions. Focused on strategy, capital decisions, key hires, and major commercial choices. Compensation structured as retainer, advisory equity (typical: 0.25–1.0% vesting over 24 months), or a blend — sized to the stage and commitment.

When it fits — Founders and CEOs who want a durable, committed outside voice in the room for the decisions that matter most.

Investor Package Development

$25,000–$40,000 · 4–6 weeks

A complete, coordinated capital-raise package: pitch deck, investor-grade financial model, data room, one-pager, and Q&A/objection prep. Deliverables are designed to work as a single system — the narrative, numbers, and supporting materials all align and reinforce one another.

When it fits — Founders preparing for a priced round or strategic capital conversation. Often a natural follow-on to Tier 5.

Note: investor package engagements are flat-fee only. No success fees, percentage-of-raise compensation, or placement services.

Separate Service Line

Defense Trade & ITAR Brokerage

DDTC-Registered Broker · U.S. Department of State · Directorate of Defense Trade Controls

HQ Consulting is a DDTC-Registered Broker with the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. This registration authorizes brokerage activities under 22 CFR Part 129 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for defense trade transactions involving U.S. and foreign parties. This is a distinct, regulated service line — separate from the advisory packages above — governed by its own compliance framework, reporting requirements, and fee structure.

What This Covers

Facilitating or arranging the manufacture, export, import, transfer, or purchase of defense articles between U.S. and foreign parties
Structuring cross-border defense transactions
Identifying and introducing qualified buyers, sellers, manufacturers, and integrators
Supporting transaction compliance in coordination with export control counsel
Reporting and recordkeeping consistent with DDTC brokering requirements

Who This Is For

U.S. defense manufacturers seeking foreign buyers, distributors, or integration partners
Foreign defense entities seeking U.S.-manufactured defense articles or services
Dual-use technology companies with ITAR-controlled products or services
Prime contractors and integrators managing programs with foreign involvement
Defense-focused investors and funds conducting cross-border diligence

Engagement Structure

Brokerage engagements are scoped and priced per transaction. Fees typically combine an initial retainer with transaction-based compensation, structured to comply with DDTC reporting requirements. Every engagement begins with a confidential intake to assess transaction fit, ITAR applicability, and regulatory posture before any substantive work begins.

What This Is Not

✕Legal advice or formal export licensing determinations — those come from qualified ITAR counsel, who we coordinate with on every transaction
✕Services to parties on U.S. denied-party, debarment, or sanctions lists
✕Any transaction that cannot be structured in compliance with ITAR, EAR, OFAC, and applicable U.S. law

DDTC Broker Registration No. K-9838. All engagements conducted in accordance with 22 CFR Parts 120–130 and applicable U.S. export control laws. Registration status verifiable through the DDTC.

Terms

How We Work

Engagement Terms

Payment: 50% deposit to confirm the engagement; 50% on delivery
Scope: fixed-scope, fixed-fee — no hourly billing, no scope creep without a written change order
Revisions: two full review cycles included in every tier
Communication: weekly written updates, plus scheduled working sessions
Post-delivery support: 30 days of follow-up Q&A included (60 days for Tier 5)
Confidentiality: mutual NDA executed before any material discovery work

What We Won't Do

✕Rubber-stamp a concept that doesn't work. If the analysis says the idea is wrong, we'll tell you.
✕Take success fees, placement fees, or a percentage of capital raised.
✕Execute on the plan for you — we build the strategy; implementation is yours, or through the fractional engagement.
✕Provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Those require licensed professionals, who we're happy to coordinate with.

Next Steps

If one of these tiers looks like a fit, the fastest path forward is a Strategic Diagnostic (Tier 0) — it gives us both clarity on scope and fit before committing to a larger engagement. The $1,500 is credited toward any package booked within 30 days. Already know what you need? Reach out directly to schedule a scoping call.

Let's talk.

Edward Fairchild · HQ Consulting {{ email }} +1 903.922.6526