How BluWave Pricing Works

A common question we hear often: how much does it cost to use BluWave? The answer is straightforward. BluWave is typically free to use. No retainers. No subscriptions. No up-front fees except for senior advisor and board member placements. You will typically contract directly with the service provider and only pay BluWave directly for certain types of projects.

See the full pricing table ↓

How does BluWave’s pricing work?

BluWave is a private-equity market network and enablement platform that operates on a success-based pricing model. BluWave is free to use for most engagements. There are no retainers, no subscription fees, and no up-front costs to scope a project.

For service provider engagements, you contract with the service provider directly and the service provider pays BluWave a connection fee when your engagement begins, so there is no additional fee for you to use BluWave. For interim executives and independent consultants, you pay BluWave directly and BluWave pays the individual. Up-front fees apply only to senior advisor and board member placements.

The Information below about each project category summarizes who pays whom and whether any up-front fee applies. We’re also happy to walk through any questions you have when you reach out about a project.

How does BluWave structure pricing by project type?

The pricing information below about each project category summarizes who pays whom and whether any up-front fee applies. We’re also happy to walk through any questions you have when you reach out about a project.

Offering Category	Who You Pay	Payment Structure	Upfront Fee
Service Providers	Service Provider	You don't pay BluWave. You contract and pay service provider directly.	No
Interim Executives & Independent Consultants	BluWave	You pay BluWave. BluWave pays the individual.	No
Senior Advisor Placement	BluWave	You pay an up-front connection fee to BluWave. For interim advisory work, you pay BluWave and BluWave pays the individual. The upfront fee rolls into a placement fee if needed.	Yes
Board Member Placement	BluWave	You pay BluWave an upfront fee which rolls into the placement fee.	Yes

Service Providers

We scope and assess your need at no upfront cost to you. When you select the right service provider you contract with them directly at a competitive market rate. The service provider pays BluWave a connection fee when you begin working with them.

You do not pay BluWave. (And, neither do they, unless we deliver the right fit and you move forward.)

For every project, BluWave's AI matching engine surfaces options from the BluWave Vetted™ network, followed by expert human review to confirm fit before any introduction is made. This creates real competition among providers, which keeps their pricing competitive for you.

Interim Executives and Independent Consultants

We scope and assess your need at no cost to you. When you select an interim executive or independent consultant, you contract with them at a mutually agreed-upon competitive rate. BluWave handles all billing and pays the individual directly, removing back-office complexity so they can stay focused on your project.

If you or your affiliates decide to convert them to a full-time employee or board member, BluWave charges a success-based placement fee at that time.

You do not pay BluWave unless we deliver the right fit and you choose to move forward.

Senior Advisor Placement

Senior advisor placements involve a highly customized search, evaluation, and placement process comparable to retained executive recruiting. An initial connection fee applies to begin the engagement.

When you successfully engage a senior advisor, they often require fees for ongoing interim work. BluWave bills you and pays the advisor directly for that work. If you or your affiliates decide to bring them on as a full-time employee or board member, a success-based placement fee applies. The one-time up-front connection fee rolls into and offsets any final placement fee. No further fees are charged after placement unless otherwise agreed.

Board Member Placement

Board member placementsi involve a highly customized search, evaluation, and placement process comparable to retained executive recruiting. An initial connection fee applies to begin the engagement.

When you successfully place a board member, BluWave charges a success-based placement fee. The one-time up-front connection fee rolls into and offsets the final placement fee. No further fees are charged after placement unless otherwise agreed.

BluWave's placement fees are consistently below market rate.

Integrity

How does BluWave ensure the right fit?

BluWave's pricing model is built on a simple principle: we only get paid when we deliver. No pay-to-play. No priority placements. No ads. Every resource in the BluWave Vetted™ network is invite-only, rigorously vetted, and re-evaluated for each specific engagement. That commitment is formalized in the BluWave Integrity Guarantee.

Frequently asked questions about BluWave pricing

Is BluWave free for PE firms and portfolio companies?

Yes. BluWave is free to use for most engagements. PE firms and portfolio companies pay nothing to contact BluWave, scope a project, or engage service providers from the BluWave Vetted™ network. The only exceptions are senior advisor and board member placements, which require an up-front connection fee. For interim executive and independent consultant engagements, you pay BluWave directly and BluWave pays the individual.

Does it cost anything to contact BluWave or scope a project?

No. There is no cost to reach out, describe your need, or have BluWave scope your project. BluWave begins work on your behalf before any fee is charged, with the exception of senior advisor and board member placements, which require an up-front fee due to the bespoke nature of those processes.

How does BluWave make money if it's free to use?

For service provider engagements, the service provider pays BluWave a connection fee when your project begins. For interim executive and independent consultant engagements, you pay BluWave directly and BluWave pays the individual. BluWave only gets paid when the right fit is delivered and you choose to move forward.

Does BluWave charge retainers or subscription fees?

No. BluWave does not charge retainers or subscription fees, and there are no recurring platform costs. BluWave's pricing is success-based. Fees only apply when an engagement begins or a placement is made.

When does an up-front fee apply?

Up-front fees apply only to senior advisor and board member placements. These engagements involve a highly customized search, evaluation, and placement process comparable to retained executive recruiting, so an initial connection fee applies to begin the search. The connection fee is a flat fee that rolls into and offsets any final placement fee. All other BluWave engagements, including service providers, interim executives, and independent consultants, have no up-front fee.

Does BluWave’s pricing vary by PE firm size or portfolio company revenue?

No. BluWave's pricing structure is consistent regardless of PE firm size or portfolio company revenue. Connection fees, placement fees, and contract rates do not scale with firm AUM or portfolio company financials. Fit and scope determine the engagement, not firm size.

Is BluWave's network really invite-only?

Yes. Every resource in the BluWave Vetted™ network has gone through a rigorous vetting process including in-depth interviews, validation, and reference checks. There is no option for providers to pay for inclusion or priority placement. Fit is determined by your specific need, not by who pays BluWave more.

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