Startups are in a league of their own. You’re not just building a business—you’re often creating something the world has never seen. Whether it’s introducing a new product, defining a market category, or scaling quickly to meet investor expectations, every move matters. Hiring the right team can make or break your trajectory, and that’s where Boken comes in.
We offer fractional marketing, strategy, and CMO services designed specifically for startups. With Boken, you don’t just get experts—you get startup experts who know how to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities you face.
What Startups Need is More Than Just Marketing
Many marketers and creatives don’t understand the nuances of a startup environment. They may excel in traditional roles but often lack the startup mindset necessary to:
- Craft messaging for a product that doesn’t fit neatly into an existing market category.
- Design brands that resonate with early adopters and set you apart.
- Build campaigns with constrained budgets and rapid iteration.
- Use frameworks like Category Design, EOS, or Startup-Oriented Persona Canvases to uncover insights and drive strategy.
- Execute on everything from investment decks to app UI/UX with a clear vision for scalability and growth.
Boken specializes in all of this. We’ve worked with startups across industries, and we understand the hustle, creativity, and precision it takes to launch, grow, and succeed.
The True Cost of Building an In-House Team
To accomplish what we do at Boken, you’d need a full in-house marketing and strategy team:
- CMO: $180,000/year
- Brand Strategist: $80,000/year
- Digital Marketing Specialist: $70,000/year
- Web Developer: $85,000/year
- Copywriter: $60,000/year
- PR Manager: $90,000/year
- Graphic Designer: $60,000/year
- Campaign Manager: $75,000/year
- Ad Specialist: $70,000/year
That’s over $770,000 annually, not including office space, software, benefits, and management overhead. For most startups, this is neither realistic nor sustainable.
The Boken Advantage: Expertise Without the Overhead
By hiring Boken, you get a team of startup-savvy experts who can handle everything from high-level strategy to hands-on execution—all for a fraction of the cost.
Here’s what we bring to the table:
- Fractional CMO Leadership
Strategic oversight to align your brand, marketing, and growth with your startup’s goals. - Category Design Expertise
We don’t just help you compete—we help you create and own your category. - Persona-Driven Strategy
Deep research to understand your audience and design messaging, visuals, and experiences that speak to them. - Comprehensive Branding Services
Logos, messaging, and visual identity that resonate with your audience and set you apart. - Investment Deck Creation
Investor-ready decks that tell your story and demonstrate why your startup is worth backing. - Web Development and Optimization
Beautiful, functional websites are designed to convert visitors into users or customers. - Campaign Design and Execution
We handle digital and traditional campaigns from concept to launch to drive awareness and results. - PR and Storytelling
Get noticed by the right audiences with targeted PR campaigns and compelling narratives. - Ad Strategy with ROI Focus
Smart, data-driven ad campaigns that make every dollar count.
Total Boken Cost: $180,000–$240,000 per year
You can save up to 70% while gaining a team that understands the nuances of startups, from category design to scaling on tight budgets.
Why Fractional is Better
Working with Boken isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a huge perk). It’s about working smarter.
- Immediate Startup Expertise
We’ve been in the trenches with startups. We understand your unique challenges and opportunities. - Flexibility
Scale services up or down depending on your needs. No long-term commitments, no wasted resources. - Faster Time to Market
Skip the months of recruiting, onboarding, and training. We’re ready to execute on day one. - Focus on What Matters
While we handle marketing and strategy, you can focus on product development, sales, and growth. - Proven Frameworks
We use Category Design, EOS, StoryBrand, Strategyzer, and other battle-tested tools to guide strategy and execution. - Cost Savings
Get the expertise of a full team for up to 70% less than hiring in-house.
Real Impact for Real Startups
A tech startup came to us with a big challenge: launching a category-defining app. They needed an investment deck, branding, website, campaigns, and PR, but they didn’t have the time or budget to build an in-house team.
With Boken, they had everything they needed from day one. We delivered an investor-ready deck, designed a standout brand, built a conversion-oriented website, and launched campaigns that drove awareness and early adoption—all while saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to hiring full-time staff.
Make the Smart Move
As the founder of Boken, I’ve seen firsthand how startups waste time and money trying to build in-house teams too early or hiring agencies that don’t “get” the startup world. That’s why we designed our services to fill that gap—giving startups everything they need to succeed without breaking the bank.
If you’re ready to scale your startup with a team that understands your world, let’s talk. We’d love to partner with you to make something extraordinary.
