How we vet

Anyone Can Say AI Expert.
Here Is What We Check.

Five named steps, in order, run by working practitioners. It ends with a removal policy, because the trial is the real test.

Hire an AI Expert

Free 20-minute scoping call. 14-day free trial. You pay us only if you hire.

5
Named steps, in order, published here
Practitioner
Interviews run by working AI implementers, not recruiters
1+
Live system in a real business required to apply
Removed
If underperforming. The client is rematched at no cost

The Five Steps, in Order

Each one is a gate. An applicant who does not clear a step does not see the next one.

1:28
Loom: what I build
60 to 90 seconds
Screen recording: one live systemRunning
Live in a real business
What it replaced
What it saved
1

Application and proof of live work

A 60 to 90 second Loom on what they build, and a screen recording of one system they built that is live and running in a real business, with what it replaced and what it saved. No live system, no application.

Test build scorecardReviewed by a practitioner
Problem: a 12-tech plumbing company loses after-hours leads
Scoped the real problemStrong
Build qualityStrong
Handles the edge casesAdequate
Handoff and documentationStrong
RVReviewer notes attachedAdvance
2

Skills test

A scoped test build on a realistic SMB problem, reviewed by a practitioner. We are looking at how they scope, what they build, what they skip, and how they hand it off.

Practitioner interview45 min
RVKOJMWorking implementers from our advisor group
Walk me through the live systemWhat broke in month two?Why that tool?How did the team adopt it?What would you not automate?
Recruiters cannot evaluate an AI build. So they do not run this step.
3

Practitioner interview

A working AI implementer from our advisor group runs the technical interview. Recruiters cannot evaluate an AI build and we do not pretend they can.

Reference callScheduled
OW
Owner, the business it runs inNamed, contactable, called by us
Is the system still running?
What did it replace?
Would you hire them again?
4

Reference check

At least one named business they implemented in that we can call. We ask whether the system is still running and whether the owner would hire them again.

Standing in the networkGood standing
SK
14-day free trial with a real clientWeek 2 of 2
Client satisfactionChecked weekly
Falls below the bar: removed from the network, client rematched at no cost.
5

Trial and standing

Every expert starts on a 14-day free trial with a real client. Experts must maintain client satisfaction to stay in the network. Underperforming experts are removed and the client is rematched at no cost.

Minimums by Tier

The bar rises with the responsibility. These are the minimums to be considered, not the average of who gets through.

BuilderFractional Head of AIFull-time placement
Live systems required3+ in real businesses2+ organizations where they owned AI end to endPortfolio of live work
Reference1 contactable businessAn executive referenceStandard recruiting depth
Practitioner interview
Our interview
14-day free trial with a real client
Removal policy applies
BuilderFractional Head of AIFull-time placement
Live systems required
3+ in real businesses2+ organizations where they owned AI end to endPortfolio of live work
Reference
1 contactable businessAn executive referenceStandard recruiting depth
Practitioner interview
Our interview
14-day free trial with a real client
Removal policy applies

Removal policy

Underperforming experts are removed and the client is rematched at no cost.

That sentence is the whole reason the first four steps are worth anything. The trial is the test that counts, and we stay in the engagement to see it.

Weekly client check-inFree rematch if the fit is wrong7 days to your matchPractitioners screen, not recruiters

Hire Someone Who Has Done It

A free 20-minute scoping call with a practitioner. Matched within 7 days. You pay us only if you hire.

Hire an AI Expert Apply as an expert