High-Level Overview
10x Team (now operating as 10x or stackly) is a B2B SaaS platform founded in 2023 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that connects ambitious startups, scale-ups, and mature companies with top-tier fractional C-level executives and professionals.[1][2][4][5] It solves the challenge of accessing elite talent without full-time hires by offering a subscription-based, AI-driven service that matches companies with experienced experts in areas like finance, operations, marketing, technology, and software development, delivering "10x outcomes" through specialized, outcome-focused support.[1][2][5] The platform has shown strong early growth, securing €1 million in seed funding within six months of launch, building a network of over 500 professionals, serving 50+ clients including Inshared and ParkBee, and maintaining a waiting list for its beta.[1][4]
Origin Story
10x Team was founded in 2023 by Angelique Schouten, who serves as CEO, amid a shifting talent market where professionals seek flexible, fractional roles—echoed by 63% of company directors viewing skill-based work as the future.[1][4] The idea emerged to address broken hiring processes, enabling companies to access "10x" talent (experienced leaders like CFOs, CMOs, CTOs, and specialists) on a part-time basis without agencies or consultancies.[2][5] Early traction was rapid: in six months, it launched a beta AI platform, grew to 500+ experts, onboarded notable clients, and raised €1 million in seed funding to fuel expansion, rebranding elements to stackly while retaining 10x.team branding.[1]
Core Differentiators
- AI-Driven Matching and Platform: Combines talent, tech, tools, and team into a "Netflix meets Fiverr" subscription model with 24/7 AI recruiter for objective, multilingual candidate scoring, reducing recruitment costs by 80% and boosting quality.[1][2][5]
- Invitation-Only Elite Network: Curates "10x-ers"—top fractional executives and pros with proven experience in startups to incumbents—who focus on key initiatives, provide C-suite oversight, and deliver specialized expertise at a fraction of full-time costs.[2][5]
- Outcome-Focused Flexibility: Experts handle specific roadblocks (e.g., software roadmaps, code reviews, ops), integrate seamlessly, and emphasize mentality/experience over day-to-day tasks, supported by platform tools for scale-ups and mature firms.[1][2]
- Rapid Scalability and Tech Edge: Beta waiting list signals demand; serves diverse needs from fractional CTOs to devs, with strong client testimonials on speed and quality.[1][5]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
10x Team rides the fractional talent and AI-augmented workforce trend, capitalizing on post-pandemic shifts toward flexible, skill-based hiring amid talent shortages and economic pressures on full-time roles.[1][2][5] Timing is ideal in 2025's ecosystem, where 63% of directors see fractional work as organizational future, enabling startups/scale-ups to compete with "grown-ups" by injecting elite expertise without massive overhead.[1] Market forces like AI tools lowering recruitment friction and remote work normalization favor its model, influencing the ecosystem by democratizing C-suite access, accelerating growth for 50+ clients, and redefining talent platforms beyond traditional freelancing.[1][5]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
10x Team is poised for explosive scaling post-€1M seed, expanding its AI platform, talent pool, and services to meet surging demand for fractional experts in AI, ops, and tech amid evolving work models.[1] Trends like AI recruitment automation and gig economy maturation will propel it, potentially evolving into a dominant "talent supercharger" for Europe's tech scene and beyond, transforming how companies achieve 10x growth without traditional hires—echoing its core mission to unite elite pros with ambitious builders.[1][5]