Connectd vs GLG: UK Startup Advisors vs Enterprise Research Network (2026)

Connectd charges companies £99–£299/month to access a network of advisors who work on 0.1%–0.5% equity arrangements. GLG charges enterprise clients $25,000–$100,000+ per year for access to over 1 million experts for 30–60 minute research calls at the equivalent of $750–$1,500/hr.

They target almost entirely different buyers. Understanding which problem you actually have — ongoing advisory relationship versus point-in-time expert research — determines the right platform.

The Short Answer

What Connectd Actually Is

Connectd is built around the challenge that UK and EU early-stage startups face: you need experienced advisors with relevant startup-scaling expertise, but you can't afford to pay consulting rates. The equity-based model solves this:

• Membership fee: £99–£299/month for the company
• Advisor compensation: 0.1%–0.5% equity over a 2-year vesting period
• Cash fees: optional and often minimal or zero for early-stage advisors
• NED placement: a core differentiator — finding non-executive directors for startup boards
• Co-investment matching: the platform also facilitates introductions to investors alongside advisory matchmaking

Connectd's advisor pool is typically senior operators with startup-scaling experience — former VPs, experienced founders, C-suite executives who want portfolio advisory exposure rather than full-time roles. They're not research informants; they're ongoing board-level contributors.

What GLG Actually Is

GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group) is the world's largest expert network by revenue. It was built for investment professionals and corporate strategists who need rapid access to specialized knowledge through structured expert calls:

• Expert network size: 1 million+ subject matter experts globally
• Membership cost: $25,000–$500,000+/year depending on team size and volume
• Per-call value: $750–$1,500/hr equivalent (accessed through an annual credit system)
• Call format: 30–60 minute structured research calls with former executives, industry operators, and technical specialists
• Compliance controls: MNPI screening and expert compliance training built in — essential for investment contexts

GLG is purpose-built for PE and VC due diligence, hedge fund research, and corporate strategy teams. The business model assumes high call volume — 100+ expert calls per year — to justify the enterprise contract cost.

Who Should NOT Use GLG

GLG is the wrong platform if:

• You're a startup founder or SMB — the $25K+ minimum is cost-prohibitive
• You need fewer than 20–30 expert calls per year (the per-call economics don't work)
• You want an ongoing advisor, not a one-time research call
• You need someone to do work, not answer questions on a 45-minute call
• Your research budget is under $50,000/year

For startups and growth-stage companies, GLG is almost always the wrong product. The annual commitment exceeds the research value you'd realistically extract.

Connectd's Equity Model Explained

The equity-based advisor model is Connectd's core innovation. Here's how it works in practice:

• Advisor commits to a defined scope: typically 2–4 hours/month of calls, introductions, and ad-hoc advice
• Company grants 0.1%–0.5% equity on a 2-year vesting schedule (sometimes with a 6-month cliff)
• Cash component is negotiable — often £500–£2,000/month for more senior advisors, but many early-stage relationships are equity-only
• The advisor has a genuine stake in the company's success — aligning incentives in a way that hourly consulting does not

This model has a notable limitation: it requires the company to have equity to give. Post-Series B or in heavily diluted cap tables, equity grants to advisors become more complex and require board approval. At that stage, other platforms may be more practical.

Head-to-Head: When Each Platform Wins

Is Connectd better than GLG? Our verdict:

For startups and growth-stage companies, Connectd is almost always the better choice. GLG's enterprise pricing, short-call format, and institutional buyer focus make it impractical for most founders. Connectd's equity-based model, UK/EU ecosystem depth, and NED placement capability directly address early-stage advisory needs.

For enterprise research teams running high-volume expert call programs, GLG is the market leader and Connectd is not designed to serve that need at all. They are not alternatives for institutional buyers.

If your need is fractional executive support (ongoing, 2+ days/week) rather than advisory relationships, ExpertStackHub offers AI-matched access to vetted fractional executives without minimum commitments or commission fees.

When to Choose Connectd vs GLG