Services
A Fractional CPO Who Has Shipped at Google Scale and Startup Speed
SproutVest provides embedded, CPO-level product leadership for AI, blockchain, and enterprise SaaS companies that need executive capability now and cannot justify a full-time hire yet. Every engagement is led directly by Erick Watson.
30-min call · No commitment · Or send a brief →
What a fractional CPO engagement looks like
A fractional CPO gives you an experienced product executive on a retained monthly basis, typically two to four days per week for three to twelve months, often extending beyond. The scope covers product strategy, roadmapping, team hiring and mentoring, stakeholder management, investor communications, and sprint planning. You get the judgment and the execution, without the equity, ramp time, and severance risk of a full-time executive search.
Who this is for
Series A and B AI or blockchain companies past product-market fit that need execution leadership. Companies preparing a fundraise that need a credible product narrative. Startups where technical founders need a commercial counterpart who can hold their own with engineers.
Why SproutVest
The record is documented, not implied. At Google, product leadership of the search ads analytics portfolio contributed $1.33B+ in annualized incremental revenue. As Chief Product Officer at Quantarium, Erick built the top-ranked AI valuation platform covering 105M U.S. households and generated $12M+ in AWS Marketplace sales. At Elevance Health, portfolio work served 34M+ members with +10% digital adoption and +7% CSAT. Four startup exits, including Trensant's acquisition by Interos.ai.
How it starts
A 30-minute discovery call, then a short scoping conversation. Many fractional engagements begin as a 6 to 8 week venture strategy sprint that validates the commercial narrative first, so both sides commit to the longer engagement with evidence in hand.
Frequently asked questions
What does a fractional CPO cost compared to a full-time hire?
A full-time CPO at a Series A/B company typically costs $250K+ in salary plus meaningful equity, with a 3 to 6 month search. A fractional engagement is a monthly retainer scoped to the days per week you need, can start within weeks, and can be ended without severance.
How many days per week do you work with us?
Typically two to four, negotiated per engagement, with async availability between working days.
Do you replace our need to hire a CPO eventually?
No, and a good fractional CPO should say so. Part of the role is building the team, process, and hiring bar so your eventual full-time leader inherits a working system. See operator coaching if the goal is developing a founder into that leader.
Which industries do you cover?
AI and machine learning, Web3 and blockchain, healthcare IT, and enterprise SaaS. See the industries we serve →
Ready for product leadership with a record?
Let's discuss whether a fractional engagement fits your stage and roadmap.
Developing yourself into the product leader instead? Take the two-minute pulse check →