Fractional CEO in Milan. Senior leadership without the full time cost.

When you need a fractional CEO

The fractional CEO fits when a company has outgrown the startup phase but doesn't yet have the structure or the budget for a 300k full time CEO. Typical moments: generational transition, messy growth, exit preparation, incoming investors, operational turnaround.

• Founder who wants to go back to product and out of operations.
• SMEs between 5 and 50 million in revenue scaling up.
• Preparation for a funding round or vendor due diligence.
• Operational turnaround with 6, 12, 18 month goals.
• Generational handover with an external safeguard.

What a fractional CEO actually does

This isn't consulting. It's operational leadership. The fractional CEO signs decisions, runs the executive team, chairs board meetings, deals with banks and investors, sets quarterly priorities and delivers them.

• 12, 24 and 36 month strategy defined with the owners.
• Operating cadence: OKRs, KPIs, weekly executive rhythm.
• Relationships with banks, investors, board and advisors.
• Recruiting and development of first line leaders.
• Preparation for exit, fundraising or generational handover.

How much a fractional CEO costs

A senior fractional CEO in Italy costs between 10,000 and 20,000 EUR per month depending on days engaged, company complexity and mandate scope. Less than a quarter of a full time CEO with the same seniority. No golden handshake, no long term incentive, closed end mandate.

Why work with Niklas Lindahl

15 years across scale-ups, turnarounds and M&A. Contributed to MGM's €607M exit, tripled B2B revenues, worked with teams from 10 to 500 people. Based in Milan, works across Italy and in English with international clients.