How is an expert network different from a consultancy?

A consultancy synthesises and analyses on your behalf. An expert network connects you to the operator directly. The expert call is raw input; you do the synthesis. Most strategic teams use both.

Is using an expert network legal?

Yes, when compliance is enforced properly. The risk is when MNPI controls fail. All reputable networks operate compliance frameworks that institutional buyers' compliance teams have approved.

How much does it cost to use one?

From €500 per call at the boutique end up to six-figure annual retainers at the institutional end. Per-call pricing without minimums is now widely available; the retainer-only model is rare.

Expert Network

An expert network is a marketplace that connects buyers (investment funds, corporates, consulting firms) with vetted operating professionals — current and former employees, industry specialists, ex-regulators — for paid 1:1 consultations.

Term: Expert Network
Section: Glossary
Last refreshed: Q1 2026

01/In Depth3–5 paragraphs

Expert networks emerged in the late 1990s to formalise a practice that had operated informally for decades: institutional investors paying industry insiders for primary-source insight on companies and markets.

The modern expert network handles sourcing, vetting, scheduling, compliance and payment. Buyers pay per call (€500-€1,500 typical), via project packages, or via annual retainer/subscription. Experts are paid hourly at rates from €150 to €1,500 depending on seniority and category scarcity.

Major players include GLG, AlphaSights, Guidepoint, Third Bridge, Tegus, Coleman Research and Mosaic. Boutique providers like FieldSignal serve buyers who don't fit the major networks' retainer-economics — emerging managers, startups, mid-market corporates.

Compliance is the defining infrastructure of the industry. Post-Galleon, expert networks operate under a documented compliance framework — MNPI screening, cooling-off periods, NDA disclosure, conflict-of-interest screening, per-call attestation and a 7-year audit trail — that makes them viable infrastructure for institutional clients.

02/Examples4 concrete cases

+A PE fund commissions 12 expert calls for commercial due diligence on a healthcare target
+A hedge fund analyst speaks with 4 ex-employees of a publicly-traded software company to test their short thesis
+A corporate strategy team runs a 30-call channel research project on a new market entry
+A boutique consultancy supplements its sector bench by calling experts on adjacent verticals through a network

03/Frequently Asked3 questions

Q.01
Q.02
Q.03

04/See AlsoWhere this applies

04.1

EXPERT CONSULTATIONS

One-hour calls with vetted operators, executives and specialists across 50,000+ professionals. Scheduled in 3 to 5 business days. From €500.

04.2

COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

Always-on CI programmes backed by expert interviews, channel checks and structured tracking.

05/Related Terms3 suggestions

PRIMARY RESEARCH

Primary research is original data collected directly from sources — operators, customers, channel partners, ex-employ…

KOL

A Key Opinion Leader (KOL) is a recognised authority in a specific field whose published work, professional reputatio…

PANEL CALL

A panel call is a structured group consultation in which one buyer (or buying team) interviews 3-6 experts simultaneo…

← Back to glossary

Need help applying this concept? Tell us the decision.

First quote in 24h. We'll recommend a competitor if we're not the right fit.