AI Strategy & Advisory
AI strategy is easy to buy. Good AI strategy is rare. The difference is whether the person advising you understands both the technology at a deep level and the commercial dynamics that will determine whether it succeeds.
- AI readiness assessment
- Opportunity mapping and prioritisation
- Vendor and technology selection
- Responsible AI governance frameworks
- Build vs buy vs partner analysis
- Board-level AI briefings
Enterprises in energy, retail, manufacturing and logistics
Sector-specific expertise means our AI strategy advice is grounded in the operational realities of your industry — not generic frameworks adapted from other contexts.
Scale-up companies preparing for Series A or B
We help AI-native businesses sharpen their technology narrative, strengthen governance, and build the structures that give investors confidence at the next funding round.
Technical & Commercial Due Diligence
Rigorous, independent dual-track assessment covering both technical architecture and commercial fundamentals. Designed for investors, acquirers, and boards who need real confidence, not a tick-box exercise.
- AI model validity and architecture review
- Codebase quality and technical debt assessment
- Commercial model viability analysis
- Management team assessment
- Corporate governance and cap table review
- Post-investment value creation framework
VC and private equity investors
Pre-investment diligence for AI companies, where standard frameworks fail to capture the technical risk and the gap between management claims and engineering reality.
Corporate acquirers and boards
Transaction support and pre-process preparation, ensuring the technical and commercial picture is robust before external scrutiny begins.
CTO-on-Demand
Senior technical leadership for AI companies whose founders have everything except a technologist at the table. Backed by AI tools and our partners' combined experience — accessible from seed stage.
- Architecture ownership and technical roadmap
- AI model and tooling strategy
- Engineering team leadership and hiring support
- Investor and board technical representation
- Technical risk management
- Due diligence preparation
Non-technical founders building AI products
You have commercial instincts and product vision. We bring the technical leadership to match — without the cost or risk of a permanent hire too early.
Post-seed companies structuring for Series A
Investors want to see technical leadership and architecture discipline. We provide both, and can transition to a permanent hire when the time is right.
Fractional & Interim Leadership
Sometimes you need experienced executive leadership for a defined period. A transformation. A period between hires. An expansion. Ballista's partners are available on a fractional or interim basis across CEO, CTO, COO, and NED roles.
- CEO and COO fractional roles
- CTO and Head of Technology
- Non-Executive Director appointments
- Interim management for turnarounds
- Growth and expansion programmes
Embedded, not at arm's length
We attend leadership meetings, own outcomes, and bring our full networks and experience to bear. We are self-starters who operate with the urgency that comes from having built things ourselves.
Innovation & Commercialisation
We also support AI researchers and early-stage companies bridging the gap from IP to commercial product — including investor narrative development, pilot programme design, and go-to-market planning.
Not sure which service fits your situation?
Start with a conversation. We will tell you honestly what we think will help — and whether we are the right people to help with it.
Talk to us