HARRY STAHLSTAHL SOLUTIONS

Advisory

Defined engagements, contracted and delivered directly, for three kinds of client. Most relate to the analysis in the papers.

For lenders and credit firms

Sourcing the AI project list

  • Solution strategyAbout 10 weeks
  • Portfolio counselQuarterly
  • Fractional AI portfolio leadOngoing

For PE and growth investors

Commercial diligence

  • Strategic analysis and recommendationsAbout 3 weeks
  • Operating partnerPart-time

For fintech and regtech companies

Fractional Strategy Officer

  • Ongoing strategy supportOngoing

For lenders and credit firms

Sourcing the AI project list

For firms weighing more AI projects than they can run. The analysis behind it is in the paper AI project lists at lenders, and how to run them.

Get to a clean, high-impact, manageable portfolio of initiatives.

BuyA vendor delivers the finished result. Configure and integrate, with no build.
PlatformInfrastructure, models, and templates speed up the work. A last-mile build always remains.
Full buildFrom the ground up, only where the need is specific to the firm and nothing on the market fits.

Solution strategy

About 10 weeks

Four decisions. You can stop after any one of them.

  1. Business prioritiesWhere does AI investment matter most, given strategy, position, and regulatory exposure?Priorities paper and readout
  2. Sourcing postureBuy, platform, or full build in each priority area, and what gets dropped?A call on every initiative
  3. VendorsWhich vendor, where the answer is buy or platform?Shortlist and recommendation
  4. Operating modelWhat impact gets tracked, how, and how do new initiatives enter the pipeline?Operating model, documented

Each decision is complete when the recommendation is delivered. Acting on it, including vendor contracting, runs on the firm's own schedule.

Portfolio counsel

Quarterly

A sourcing call has a shelf life. This keeps it current, with a monthly review and a quarterly readout.

  • Sourcing calls on new initiatives as they arrive, including drop
  • Impact checked against what each committed project promised
  • Calls revisited when a vendor ships, a rule changes, or a build gets overtaken
  • Counsel to the sponsor between decisions

Fractional AI portfolio lead

Ongoing

The same work as an ongoing role: about two days a month for six months or more, owning the list with the sponsor.

For PE and growth investors

Commercial diligence

On fintech, regtech, and private-credit technology companies: vendors selling to banks, credit unions, lenders, and private-markets firms. A fast, defensible read from someone who has built and sold these products, rather than a string of one-hour calls. Background on the About page.

Strategic analysis and recommendations

About 3 weeks

Depending on complexity, and fitted to the deal timetable.

  1. MarketIs the market growing where the target sells, with buyers and channels that can carry the plan?Market view
  2. PositionCan the target hold its ground against competitors, and against incumbents shipping similar features?Competitive read
  3. RisksWhich risks break the deal, which are priced in, and which become conditions? Covers concentration, regulation, and AI and technology claims.Risk register, with what would have to be true
  4. The callProceed, pass, or proceed with conditionsThesis memo, questions for management, readout

Operating partner

Part-time

For PE firms with fintech portfolios: post-close strategy across portfolio companies.

For fintech and regtech companies

Fractional Strategy Officer

For companies selling to banks, credit unions, and lenders that need senior strategy judgment without a full-time hire.

Ongoing strategy support

Ongoing

About two days a month, on a monthly retainer, for six months or more. With the CEO, drive a set of strategy decisions and bring them to the board:

  • Which segments to focus on, and through which channels and partners
  • Whether to build, buy, or partner for each new capability, including AI
  • Which adjacencies and acquisitions to pursue
  • What the strategy says to the board, and what's changed since the last one

Work alongside rather than replace the leadership team.

How engagements work

  • Investments and past employment are disclosed at the start. Work is declined where there is an interest or confidential information.
  • This practice doesn't sell the products it recommends. The answer is sometimes drop, or pass.
  • Fixed fees, billed as each decision is reached, or a monthly retainer for ongoing roles. Pricing on request.
  • Each engagement can be bought on its own.

Email me to talk through your list, a deal, or a role.