How Much Does AI Consulting Cost for Small Companies?

Last Updated: February 2026

AI consulting for small companies typically costs $25,000 to $150,000 depending on scope, with hourly rates ranging from $150 to $400 for boutique consultancies and $500+ for Big Four firms that rarely serve organizations under 500 employees. The total investment includes consulting fees (60 to 70% of budget), implementation support (15 to 20%), training (10 to 15%), and ongoing advisory (5 to 10%) according to industry benchmarking data. Small companies with 10 to 100 employees achieve the best ROI when they focus consulting budgets on maximizing existing tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini rather than implementing new platforms, reducing total costs by 40 to 60% while achieving comparable productivity gains. AI Smart Ventures has worked with close to 1,000 organizations and documented that small companies need fundamentally different consulting approaches than enterprises because they lack dedicated IT teams, change management resources, and multi-year implementation budgets.

Key Takeaways

Small companies evaluating AI consulting costs should understand these critical factors:

Boutique AI consultancies charge $75,000 to $150,000 for comprehensive 12 to 18 month implementations versus $500,000+ for Big Four firms that typically require enterprise scale to engage
Training represents 10 to 15% of total AI investment at $500 to $5,000 per employee for comprehensive programs, with BCG research showing employees need at least 5 hours of training for meaningful adoption
Organizations maximizing existing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace AI capabilities spend 40 to 60% less than those implementing new platforms while achieving similar productivity outcomes
70% of AI transformation initiatives fail to scale beyond pilots according to McKinsey, primarily due to consulting approaches designed for enterprises rather than small company realities
Total first-year AI costs including consulting, tools, and training typically range from $50,000 to $250,000 for companies with 10 to 100 employees depending on scope and ambition

The AI consulting industry is built around enterprise budgets. Pricing structures, engagement models, and deliverables all assume you have resources small companies lack.

When Big Four firms quote $500,000 to $2 million for AI transformation, they are not overcharging. They are pricing for the teams, methodologies, and timelines that enterprises require. But those same approaches make zero economic sense for a 50-person company.

Small companies need different consulting models with different pricing, different deliverables, and different expectations about what gets accomplished in what timeframe.

What Defines a “Small Company” for AI Consulting?

Understanding whether you fit the small company category helps set realistic budget expectations.

Revenue and Employee Thresholds

For AI consulting purposes, small companies typically have 10 to 100 employees with $2 million to $50 million in annual revenue. This distinguishes them from both solo entrepreneurs (under 10 people) and mid-sized companies (100 to 250 employees) that can support larger consulting engagements.

Small companies in this range share common characteristics: limited IT resources (often no dedicated IT staff), lean budgets requiring clear ROI within 90 to 180 days, multi-hat leadership where the CEO handles operations and the CFO manages technology, and need for hands-on implementation rather than strategic frameworks.

Why Small Company Consulting Costs Differ

Enterprise AI consulting assumes dedicated teams to execute consultant recommendations. Small companies typically have none of these internal resources, requiring consultants to implement rather than just strategize.

This fundamental difference means small company consulting costs less per engagement but delivers more hands-on work per dollar spent. You get implementation, not just PowerPoint decks.

How Much Do Different AI Consulting Firm Types Cost?

Understanding the consulting landscape helps you identify which firm type fits your budget and needs.

Firm Type	Typical Engagement Cost	Hourly Rate Range	Minimum Company Size	Best For
Big Four (McKinsey, Deloitte, Accenture, BCG)	$500,000 to $2,000,000+	$500 to $1,200	500+ employees	Enterprise transformations requiring brand credibility
Boutique AI consultancies	$75,000 to $150,000	$200 to $400	10 to 250 employees	Small companies needing hands-on implementation
Solo AI consultants	$25,000 to $75,000	$150 to $300	Any size	Simple use cases with limited scope
Tool vendor consulting	$50,000 to $200,000	Varies	Any size	Organizations committed to specific platforms
Freelance AI specialists	$10,000 to $50,000	$100 to $200	Any size	Specific technical tasks rather than transformation

Big Four and Large Consultancies

McKinsey, Deloitte, Accenture, BCG, and PwC offer AI consulting but rarely engage with companies under 500 employees. Their minimum engagement sizes, team structures, and overhead make small company work uneconomical for their business models.

When they do take small company work, expect enterprise pricing without enterprise resources. A 10-person team costs the same whether your company has 50 employees or 5,000.

Boutique AI Consulting Firms

Boutique consultancies specialize in small to mid-sized organizations. They understand your budget constraints and build engagements accordingly.

Typical boutique engagement: $75,000 to $150,000 for comprehensive AI transformation over 12 to 18 months including strategy, implementation, training, and ongoing advisory support.

AI Smart Ventures operates in this category, focusing exclusively on organizations with 10 to 250 employees who need practical implementation rather than theoretical frameworks.

Solo Consultants and Freelancers

Individual consultants offer personalized attention at lower price points. For narrowly scoped projects like implementing one AI tool or training one department, this works well.

Limitations emerge with complexity. One person brings one perspective, limited capacity, and no redundancy if they become unavailable. Project timelines extend when consultants juggle multiple clients.

Tool Vendor Consulting

Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, and major AI platforms offer consulting services. These provide deep product expertise but come with inherent bias toward their platforms.

Pricing varies widely from included implementation support to separate consulting fees matching boutique firm rates. The key question: will they recommend competitor tools when appropriate?

What Components Make Up Total AI Consulting Costs?

Understanding cost breakdown helps you evaluate proposals and set realistic budgets.

Strategy and Planning (15 to 25% of Budget)

Initial discovery, use case identification, tool evaluation, and roadmap creation typically consume 15 to 25% of consulting budgets.

For a $100,000 engagement, expect $15,000 to $25,000 for strategic planning phase. This work typically takes 2 to 4 weeks and delivers documented AI strategy, prioritized use cases, tool recommendations, and implementation roadmap.

Beware consulting that charges enterprise rates for strategy then hands off implementation to your nonexistent internal team.

Implementation and Configuration (40 to 50% of Budget)

Actual deployment, tool configuration, workflow design, and technical setup represent the largest cost component at 40 to 50% of total budget.

This is where boutique consultancies differentiate from large firms. Boutique consultants configure tools, build workflows, and troubleshoot issues directly. Large firms often deliver frameworks expecting your team to execute.

Training and Adoption (15 to 25% of Budget)

Employee training, manager enablement, and change management typically account for 15 to 25% of consulting budgets.

BCG research shows employees need at least 5 hours of training for meaningful AI adoption. Comprehensive training programs for small companies range from $500 to $5,000 per employee depending on role complexity and tool sophistication.

For a 50-person company, budget $25,000 to $100,000 for organization-wide training as part of total consulting investment.

For training ROI analysis, see Is AI Training Worth the Cost?

Ongoing Support and Advisory (10 to 15% of Budget)

Post-implementation support, performance optimization, and strategic guidance typically consume 10 to 15% of first-year budgets.

This ongoing relationship prevents AI capabilities from becoming outdated as tools evolve. Monthly advisory retainers typically range from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on engagement depth.

How Do Scope and Deliverables Affect Consulting Costs?

Different engagement types produce different cost structures. Understanding options helps you right-size investment.

AI Strategy Only ($15,000 to $40,000)

Pure strategy engagements without implementation deliver documented roadmaps, tool recommendations, and use case prioritization.

Typical deliverables:

Current state assessment
Use case identification and prioritization
Tool evaluation and recommendations
12 to 18 month implementation roadmap
Budget projections and ROI estimates

Best for: Companies that have internal technical resources to execute but need strategic direction.

Warning: Strategy without implementation often produces shelf-ware. Ensure you have capacity to execute before paying for strategy alone.

Single Use Case Implementation ($25,000 to $75,000)

Focused implementations targeting one department or function deliver faster ROI with lower risk than full transformations.

Examples:

Sales team AI tools (CRM AI, email automation, conversation intelligence)
Marketing automation and content AI
Operations workflow automation
Customer service AI chatbots

Typical timeline: 8 to 16 weeks from kickoff to full deployment

Best for: Organizations testing AI value before broader commitment or those with clearly defined pain points in specific departments.

For workflow automation examples, platforms like GoHighLevel provide comprehensive automation capabilities for agencies and service businesses.

Comprehensive AI Transformation ($75,000 to $150,000)

End-to-end transformations span multiple departments with coordinated implementation, training, and change management.

Typical deliverables:

Organization-wide AI strategy
Multi-department use case implementation
Comprehensive employee training programs
Change management and adoption support
Technology stack optimization
Ongoing advisory for 6 to 12 months

Typical timeline: 12 to 18 months with heaviest consulting involvement in first 90 days

Best for: Companies ready for systematic AI integration across operations with executive sponsorship and budget to support comprehensive change.

For realistic timelines, read How Long Does AI Transformation Take?

Training-Only Engagements ($15,000 to $50,000)

Organizations that have tools but struggle with adoption benefit from training-focused consulting.

Typical structure:

Baseline skills assessment
Role-specific training curriculum
Hands-on practice sessions
Manager enablement for ongoing coaching
Performance measurement framework

Best for: Companies that purchased AI tools without training and now face low adoption rates.

AI Smart Ventures offers AI training designed for small company realities where employees have limited time for learning and need practical skills rather than theoretical concepts.

What Pricing Models Do AI Consultants Use?

Different pricing structures create different risk profiles and total cost outcomes.

Fixed-Fee Project Pricing

Consultants quote a total project price for defined scope and deliverables. This provides cost certainty but requires clear scope definition upfront.

Advantages: Predictable costs, consultant absorbs overrun risk, easier to budget

Disadvantages: Scope changes require renegotiation, may incentivize consultants to minimize effort

Best for: Well-defined projects with clear deliverables like implementing specific tools or training programs

Hourly or Daily Rate Pricing

Consultants charge by time spent, typically with estimates but no guaranteed caps. Common hourly rates range from $150 to $400 for boutique consultancies.

Advantages: Flexibility for scope changes, pays only for work performed

Disadvantages: Unlimited cost exposure, difficult to budget accurately, potential for inefficiency

Best for: Exploratory work, ongoing advisory relationships, projects with uncertain scope

Protection: Insist on not-to-exceed caps to prevent runaway costs. Small company budgets cannot absorb enterprise-style scope creep.

Value-Based Pricing

Consultants price based on value delivered rather than time spent. For example, pricing tied to productivity gains or revenue impact.

Advantages: Aligns consultant incentives with outcomes, potentially lower cost for high-value projects

Disadvantages: Difficult to measure some benefits, requires baseline metrics, potential disputes over value attribution

Best for: Organizations with clear metrics and consultants confident in delivering measurable results

Retainer Arrangements

Monthly fees for ongoing access to consulting expertise, common for post-implementation advisory.

Typical monthly retainers: $2,000 to $10,000 depending on access level and firm expertise

Advantages: Predictable monthly costs, continuous support as AI evolves

Disadvantages: Pay whether you use full allocation, annual commitment often required

Best for: Organizations wanting continuous guidance after initial implementation

How Can Small Companies Reduce AI Consulting Costs?

Strategic approaches minimize consulting spend while maximizing value.

1. Maximize Existing Tools Before Buying New Platforms

Microsoft 365 subscribers already have Copilot capabilities. Google Workspace users have Gemini. Your CRM probably includes AI features you have never activated.

Consultants who start by maximizing your existing tools typically reduce total costs by 40 to 60% compared to those who immediately recommend new platforms.

AI Smart Ventures specializes in this approach, documenting 40% faster time-to-value when organizations maximize Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and existing infrastructure before considering additional tools.

Explore the AI tools directory to understand capabilities you may already own.

2. Start with Focused Use Cases, Not Full Transformation

Implementing AI for one department or function costs $25,000 to $75,000 versus $75,000 to $150,000 for comprehensive transformation.

Starting focused delivers faster ROI, proves value before larger commitment, reduces organizational change management burden, and provides learning that improves subsequent phases.

3. Invest in Training to Reduce Ongoing Consulting Dependency

Consulting that builds your team’s capabilities costs more upfront but less long-term than consulting that creates dependency.

Ask potential consultants whether they train your team to be self-sufficient or position themselves as ongoing requirement. The former costs more per hour but less over years.

4. Use Phased Engagements with Decision Points

Instead of committing to 12-month engagements upfront, structure consulting in phases with clear go/no-go decisions based on results.

Example phased structure:

Phase 1 (8 weeks): Strategy and pilot implementation ($25,000 to $40,000)
Decision point: Evaluate results, determine phase 2 scope
Phase 2 (12 weeks): Expand to additional departments ($30,000 to $50,000)
Decision point: Assess adoption and ROI
Phase 3 (ongoing): Advisory retainer ($2,000 to $5,000 monthly)

This approach prevents paying for consulting that does not deliver value.

5. Leverage Industry Associations and Member Organizations

Some Chambers of Commerce, EO chapters, and industry associations offer subsidized AI consulting or group training programs that reduce per-company costs.

AI Smart Ventures partners with economic development organizations, Chambers, and member associations to provide consulting at reduced rates through these channels.

What Should Small Companies Expect from AI Consulting Engagements?

Realistic expectations prevent disappointment and ensure consultants deliver appropriate value.

Realistic Timeline Expectations

Weeks 1 to 2: Discovery, stakeholder interviews, current state assessment. Expect significant time commitment from leadership.

Weeks 3 to 4: Strategy development, use case prioritization, tool evaluation. Consultant delivers recommendations for approval.

Weeks 5 to 12: Implementation, configuration, initial training. This phase requires employee participation and workflow testing.

Weeks 13 to 16: Refinement, advanced training, adoption measurement. Focus shifts to optimization and embedding AI into daily work.

Months 5 to 18: Ongoing support, performance tracking, continuous improvement. Consultant involvement decreases as internal capability builds.

Organizations expecting transformation in 30 days set themselves up for failure. The 60 to 90 day window for initial value is realistic, but full transformation takes 12 to 18 months.

Required Internal Commitment

Consulting is partnership, not outsourcing. Small companies should expect to invest:

Leadership time: 2 to 4 hours weekly for first 90 days, then 1 to 2 hours weekly ongoing

Employee participation: 4 to 8 hours for training, plus integration time as AI becomes part of workflows

Subject matter experts: 3 to 5 hours weekly during implementation to inform workflow design

Consulting fails when companies treat it as entirely consultant-driven. Your team’s involvement determines success.

Deliverables You Should Receive

Strategic deliverables:

Documented AI strategy aligned with business objectives
Prioritized use case roadmap
Technology recommendations with justification
Implementation plan with milestones
Budget and ROI projections

Implementation deliverables:

Configured AI tools ready for use
Documented workflows and processes
Training materials and resources
Adoption measurement framework
Performance dashboards

Training deliverables:

Role-specific training curriculum
Hands-on practice sessions
Quick reference guides
Manager coaching resources

Beware consulting heavy on strategy documents but light on actual implementation and training.

How Do You Evaluate AI Consulting Proposals?

Structured evaluation prevents choosing the wrong consultant or overpaying for services.

Key Comparison Criteria

Evaluation Factor	What to Look For	Red Flags
Relevant experience	5+ implementations with companies your size and industry	Only enterprise references or no verifiable case studies
Pricing transparency	Clear breakdown of costs and payment terms	Vague estimates or hourly billing without caps
Implementation approach	Hands-on work, not just frameworks	Deliverables heavy on documents, light on doing
Training inclusion	Comprehensive employee enablement	Training treated as optional or separate add-on
Tool philosophy	Maximize existing tools before recommending new ones	Immediate platform recommendations before discovery
Success metrics	Clear KPIs and measurement approach	No defined outcomes or measurement plan
Timeline realism	60 to 90 days for initial value, 12 to 18 months for transformation	Promises of 30-day transformation
References	3+ referenceable clients similar to your company	Refusal to provide references or only large company examples

Questions to Ask in Sales Conversations

How many companies our size have you helped implement AI? Generic experience does not translate to small company expertise.

What results did they achieve and how long did it take? Specific metrics matter more than testimonials.

Who will actually do the work? Some firms sell senior consultants but deliver junior staff.

What tools do you typically recommend? If they default to the same platforms regardless of client, suspect vendor relationships driving recommendations.

How do you handle training and adoption? This reveals whether they understand adoption determines success.

What happens after the engagement ends? Firms that disappear leave you stranded when issues arise.

What is your pricing model and what exactly is included? Ambiguity here leads to disputes later.

Can you provide three references from similar companies? Talk to past clients about what worked and what did not.

For consultant evaluation frameworks, see What Does an AI Consultant Do and How to Know If You Need One?

What Hidden Costs Should Small Companies Budget For?

Beyond consulting fees, several categories affect total AI investment.

AI Tool Licenses ($10,000 to $50,000 Annually)

Consulting implements tools, but you pay for licenses. Microsoft Copilot costs $30 per user monthly. Specialized sales or marketing AI tools add $20 to $100 per user monthly.

For a 50-person company deploying AI to 30 employees across multiple tools, annual license costs easily reach $20,000 to $40,000.

Budget tool costs separately from consulting fees to avoid surprises.

Data Cleanup and Preparation ($5,000 to $25,000)

AI tools require quality data. If your CRM has incomplete records, duplicates, and outdated information, cleanup work becomes necessary.

Some consultants include data preparation in engagements. Others charge separately or expect your team to handle it. Clarify upfront.

Change Management Beyond Training ($5,000 to $15,000)

Formal change management including communication campaigns, stakeholder workshops, and resistance mitigation adds costs beyond basic training.

Small companies often handle this internally, but organizations with significant change resistance may need dedicated support.

Opportunity Cost of Employee Time

Employees participating in training, testing workflows, and providing feedback contribute significant time. This represents opportunity cost even without direct expense.

For a 50-person company with 40 hours of employee time invested in AI implementation, opportunity cost at $50 per hour average equals $100,000 in productive capacity redirected to transformation.

This is investment, not waste, but small companies should acknowledge the full cost of change.

When Should Small Companies Hire AI Consultants Versus DIY?

Not every organization needs external consulting. Understanding when to hire helps optimize spending.

Hire AI Consultants When:

You lack internal AI expertise. If no one on your team has implemented AI before, consultants compress learning curve dramatically.

Previous AI initiatives have failed. Consulting helps diagnose why and implement differently.

You need results faster than DIY allows. Consultants bring proven methodologies that accelerate timelines.

Budget exists for proper implementation. Consulting works when you can invest $50,000+ for comprehensive support.

Change management exceeds internal capacity. Organizations with change-resistant cultures benefit from external credibility and expertise.

DIY When:

You have technical team members with AI experience. Internal expertise reduces need for external support.

Budget constraints require bootstrapping. Starting with free or low-cost tools and self-learning reduces upfront investment.

Scope is very limited. Implementing one tool for one department may not justify consulting expense.

You have time for extended learning curve. Organizations willing to invest 6 to 12 months in trial-and-error can learn without consultants.

Strong vendor support is available. Some AI platforms include implementation support that reduces consulting need.

For DIY guidance, explore resources in the AI tools directory and read about avoiding common AI implementation mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $100,000 too much to spend on AI consulting for a small company?

For a company with 25 to 100 employees and $5 million to $50 million revenue, $100,000 represents reasonable investment for comprehensive AI transformation delivered over 12 to 18 months including strategy, implementation, and training. The key question is ROI: if AI delivers 25% productivity improvement on knowledge work, that easily exceeds $100,000 annually for even small teams. The risk is not amount spent but spending on consulting that does not deliver results.

Can small companies negotiate AI consulting fees?

Yes. Boutique consultancies often offer flexibility on pricing, payment terms, and scope to land engagements. Ask about phased payment tied to milestones, reduced scope that lowers total cost, or retainer arrangements versus project pricing. Solo consultants typically have more flexibility than established firms. Avoid squeezing consultants so hard they cannot deliver quality work, but reasonable negotiation is expected.

What is the minimum budget for meaningful AI consulting?

For focused single-department implementations, $25,000 to $40,000 can deliver meaningful results with boutique consultants or experienced solo practitioners. Below $25,000, consulting typically reduces to advisory-only rather than implementation support. Organizations with smaller budgets should consider training-focused engagements or maximizing existing tool capabilities before hiring consultants for comprehensive transformation.

How do consulting costs differ by industry?

Industries with complex regulatory requirements (healthcare, financial services) or specialized workflows (manufacturing, professional services) often see higher consulting costs due to domain expertise required. Generic AI consulting ranges from $200 to $400 per hour for boutiques. Industry specialists may charge $300 to $500 per hour but deliver faster results through deeper understanding of your business.

Should small companies use the same consultants as enterprises?

No. Enterprise-focused consultancies bring methodologies, team structures, and pricing built for Fortune 500 organizations. Their engagement minimums, overhead, and frameworks rarely make sense for small companies. Boutique consultancies specializing in organizations with 10 to 250 employees understand your constraints and build appropriate solutions. AI Smart Ventures focuses exclusively on this segment for this reason.

What percentage of AI budget should go to consulting versus tools?

Industry benchmarks suggest 50 to 60% for consulting and implementation support, 25 to 35% for tool licenses, and 10 to 15% for training and change management. Organizations that skimp on consulting to maximize tool budgets often end up with unused licenses. Better to invest in fewer tools with proper implementation than many tools without support.

How long should AI consulting engagements last?

Initial implementations typically run 3 to 6 months for focused use cases or 12 to 18 months for comprehensive transformations. However, the most effective structure includes intensive consulting in first 90 days when implementation occurs, then decreasing involvement as internal capabilities build. Avoid open-ended engagements without defined completion criteria.

Can small companies get financing for AI consulting?

Some consultants offer payment plans. Business credit lines or equipment financing may cover AI investments. Certain government programs and economic development organizations provide grants or subsidized consulting for small businesses implementing technology. However, most small companies pay from operating cash flow or business savings. If you cannot afford consulting today, start with free or low-cost tools while building budget.

What is included in AI consulting that justifies the cost?

Quality consulting includes strategic planning and roadmap development, hands-on implementation and configuration, comprehensive employee training programs, change management and adoption support, performance measurement frameworks, and ongoing advisory access. Consultants who only deliver strategy documents without implementation provide limited value. The best consultants get their hands dirty actually deploying solutions.

How do small companies measure AI consulting ROI?

Track time saved on specific tasks before and after AI implementation, adoption rates showing employees actually use tools deployed, revenue or capacity increases from productivity gains, and error reduction or quality improvements. Compare total costs including consulting and tools against quantified value. Most small companies should see positive ROI within 6 to 12 months if consulting is effective.

Summary

AI consulting for small companies costs $25,000 to $150,000 depending on scope, with boutique consultancies offering the best value for organizations with 10 to 100 employees. Total investment includes strategy development (15 to 25% of budget), implementation support (40 to 50%), training and adoption (15 to 25%), and ongoing advisory (10 to 15%).

The key to cost-effective AI consulting is starting with existing tool capabilities before purchasing new platforms. Organizations that maximize Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and CRM-native AI spend 40 to 60% less than those implementing specialized tools while achieving similar productivity outcomes.

Small companies need fundamentally different consulting approaches than enterprises. You cannot afford the $500,000 to $2 million engagements Big Four firms deliver, and you do not need their overhead and complexity. Boutique consultancies that specialize in small company constraints deliver hands-on implementation rather than frameworks requiring internal teams to execute.

The best consulting investments build your team’s capabilities rather than creating dependency. Training-inclusive engagements cost more upfront but less over time than consulting that positions itself as ongoing requirement.

AI Smart Ventures specializes in AI transformation for small companies, having worked with close to 1,000 organizations and trained over 20,217 professionals. Our approach maximizes existing tools, delivers hands-on implementation, and builds internal capability rather than consultant dependency.

If your small company needs AI consulting designed for your budget and resources, schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation. Whether you need AI consulting for strategic planning, AI implementation for hands-on deployment, or AI training to build team capabilities, you will receive guidance designed for small company realities rather than enterprise frameworks.

For additional resources, explore our AI tools directory and read about creating AI strategy for your business.

About the Author

Nicole A. Donnelly is the Founder of AI Smart Ventures and an AI Adoption Specialist with 20 years of experience as a founder and CEO and over a decade leading AI adoption initiatives. She helps businesses integrate artificial intelligence with clarity and confidence, driving innovation and sustainable growth. Nicole has trained over 20,217 professionals in Applied AI, delivered 624 workshops, and worked with close to 1,000 organizations across diverse industries.

Expertise: AI Transformation, AI Strategy, AI Implementation, AI Adoption, Applied AI, Marketing, Business Operations

Connect: LinkedIn |Website

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional business or financial advice. Consulting costs vary based on scope, firm expertise, geographic location, and project complexity. Verify current pricing before making purchasing decisions.

Nicole A. DonnellyFounder