Leadership ยท HealthTech startups
Fractional AI Lead for HealthTech Startups
A fractional AI lead is part-time senior AI leadership for startups that need an AI strategy but cannot yet afford or justify a full-time Chief AI Officer. I work as a fractional AI lead for early-stage HealthTech teams, solo or with a vetted freelancer network for larger scopes.
Who it is for
- Seed-stage HealthTech founders. You have a clinical problem and early data but no AI roadmap yet. I help you build the right architecture from day one, before expensive mistakes get baked in.
- Series A CTOs scaling up. Your pilot worked. Now you need production-grade pipelines, a team, and a system that holds up under clinical and investor scrutiny.
What I do
- Roadmap and architecture. Defining your data science strategy, selecting the right models, and laying the engineering foundations your future team will inherit.
- Hands-on execution. Building proofs of concept and production-ready pipelines directly, solo or with a vetted network of specialized freelancers for larger scopes.
- Team building and handoff. When you are ready to hire in-house, I help recruit and mentor your first data talent, then hand off a team that can run independently.
- Engineering standards. Code review processes and standards that a growing team can keep.
How an engagement works
- Strategy callYou describe the clinical problem, the data you have, and what success has to look like. I tell you honestly whether AI is the right tool yet.
- DiagnoseI look at your data, your labels, and your real failure cases against your KPIs, so the plan targets the actual problem.
- BuildI write the roadmap and build the proof of concept or pipeline.
- Hand offI set engineering standards, help recruit and mentor your first data hires, and step back when your team can run it.
When I am not a good fit
I am not a good fit for startups who want AI to work like magic without the data work underneath it, or for projects that do not prioritize clinical and business validity. I focus on founders who value engineering rigor and strategic growth over quick, unscalable hacks.
Background
I have 15 years of experience in data science and machine learning, an MSc in Applied Statistics, a background in industrial engineering, and two peer-reviewed publications. I have mentored student teams to Best Project awards, and I work in English, Spanish and Hebrew. My focus areas are cascading AI architecture, structural label error, and generative AI evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
What is fractional AI leadership?
It is part-time senior AI leadership for startups that need an AI strategy before they can afford or justify a full-time Chief AI Officer. I work as a fractional AI lead for early-stage HealthTech teams.
Do I need a fractional AI lead?
If you are struggling to define your AI roadmap or to hire your first data science team, it is likely worth a conversation. If you have not yet defined your core key performance indicators (KPIs) or the business problem AI is meant to solve, it is probably too early for a full-time team, and I help you build the prototype and strategy first.
Do you build things or only advise?
Both. I build proofs of concept and production-ready pipelines directly, solo or with a vetted freelancer network for larger scopes.
How do you help with hiring?
I do not just recruit. I help with the hiring plan, screening, and mentoring your first hires, so you start with high engineering standards and a clear mission.
How much does it cost?
I agree scope and cost with you after a first strategy call.
Need senior AI leadership without a full-time hire?
Book a strategy call. I will tell you honestly whether a fractional engagement fits, or whether it is too early.
Book a Strategy Call MayaM@MalamudAI.com