Fractional COO • Execution, Scale & Resilience

Execution & Scale for Startups and Fintechs

I help founders and leadership teams go from busy to profitable and in control. Clear priorities, a weekly operating rhythm, and delivery that sticks. Built for high-stakes, rapid growth and regulated environments.

Book a 15-min call See how I work
Pan-European Ops
Regulated scale
Automation & processes
Profitability discipline
Lean & Agile
Culture & cadence
Mihkel Stamm
Mihkel Stamm
Fractional COO • Execution & Scale
Tallinn, Estonia • Remote / Hybrid
Start here
Free Clarity Mapping (2 hours)
For qualified teams: map the real constraint, align stakeholders, and choose the right next step.
Book intro call See what happens
You get
Root cause map • 1 to 2 page summary • recommended next step + options
Next step (if needed)
Execution Reset. Fixed scope sprint to build one ready to implement solution (KPI system, operating cadence, org/interfaces, etc.).

What I bring

Trusted operator mindset
Clarity Accountability Delivery

I help founders and leadership teams regain control when execution drifts: tighten the operating cadence so priorities, owners, and KPIs are clear; plug margin leaks and turn fixes into real delivery; map product-to-ops-to-risk flow to unblock throughput.

Then we build scalable systems with automation and crisp accountability, stay audit-ready in regulated environments, and rebuild momentum by aligning the leadership team around decisive action.

Practical bias: fewer priorities, clear owners, and a rhythm that holds under pressure.

Engagements

Start with a quick intro. If there’s a real fit, I’ll run a free 2-hour mapping session and recommend the best next step.

Start here: Intro → Free Clarity Mapping

no obligation

The fastest way to regain control: understand the real constraint, align stakeholders, and decide the next move.

Step 1 — Intro call (15 to 30 min)

  • Quick context: what’s happening, what’s at stake, what “better” means
  • Decide if the problem is worth solving together

Step 2 — Clarity Mapping (2 hours, free for qualified teams)

  • 1–2 working sessions with the people closest to the problem
  • Map bottlenecks: delivery, KPIs, org interfaces, cost-to-serve, decision flow
  • Clarify constraints (regulatory, resourcing, timeline, risk)

What you receive

  • Short written summary (1–2 pages) of root causes
  • Recommended next step + 2–3 scope options
  • Clear plan for the first 2–4 weeks
Note: This is a diagnostic + next-steps recommendation, not a full strategy project. It’s offered free when there’s clear decision-maker involvement and real urgency.
Book the intro call

Mentoring (advisory)

hourly fee

You execute. I guide. Ideal when you have capacity, but need sharper decisions, structure, and accountability.

Good for

  • Strategy sparring: sharpen choices, test assumptions, make trade-offs
  • Prioritization: decide what matters this week/month (and what doesn’t)
  • Founder/leadership decision support: pricing, positioning, org choices, execution sequencing
  • Review your plan + metrics: sanity-check OKRs/KPIs and adjust based on reality

How it works

  • Hourly or small bundles (e.g., 5 hours)
  • Calls + async review of docs/dashboards
  • Clear actions after every session
Discuss fit

Execution Reset (fixed-scope sprint)

fixed fee (agreed after mapping)

I take one critical area and build a ready-to-implement solution you can roll out internally.

Examples of “one area”

  • KPI system + dashboard skeleton + meeting cadence
  • Operating rhythm: weekly exec agenda, decision log, owner map
  • Process mapping + workflow automation: identify bottlenecks, eliminate manual steps, build automation roadmap
  • Org/interface redesign for faster delivery (roles, handovers, SLAs)
  • Regulated scale pack: controls + evidence pack structure

Outcome

  • Working solution + templates
  • Rollout plan (change steps, comms, owners)
  • Handover + enablement session
Book the intro call

Fractional COO (execution leadership)

retainer (agreed after mapping)

When the change is bigger than one sprint: I lead execution across topics, align stakeholders, and run the operating system.

Typical scope

  • Org change + communication + accountability system
  • Cross-team delivery: product/IT ↔ ops ↔ risk/compliance
  • Profitability discipline: cost-to-serve, automation, prioritization
  • Process streamlining & workflow automation: map inefficiencies, remove manual work, implement automation
  • Regulated operating model: reporting, governance, audit readiness

Engagement options

  • 1–2 days/week
  • Intense 2–4 week setup
  • Hybrid: reset → retain
  • Strategic investment + advisory (if thesis aligns)
Discuss fit

Proof

Certifications & methods

Practical training and frameworks I use to install cadence, accountability and scalable delivery.

Lean Green Belt Scrum Product Owner 4DX Executer Reserve Officer (EDF)

Numbers and outcomes beat long stories.

15+
Years leading & Building
9 countries
Expanded & Operated
€16M → €900M+
Funding volumes scaled
6->130+
Team Scaled
  • Built the operating model & architecture to finance ~€200M/year (risk, cross-country processes, IT/product, data, compliance, sales/marketing, HR)
  • Scaled a multi-country organisation: team 6 → 130, operations 2 → 9 countries
  • Transitioned from non-regulated operations to a regulated pan-European platform
  • Led a profit-first turnaround: shifted company from growth-first to profitability while maintaining momentum
  • Built digital first lending & investing processes (automation, risk-based pricing, investor tooling) to increase scalability and transparency
  • Established governance and reporting for institutional grade transparency

"Mihkel excels at enhancing communication and adding structure to projects. His attention to detail and proactive approach transformed our team's workflow and effectiveness."

— Former colleague

How I work

1

Diagnose fast

Find the real constraint: where time, money, or trust is leaking.

2

Focus ruthlessly

Pick the few moves that change the trajectory and say “no” to the rest.

3

Build the operating system

Cadence + owners + KPIs so momentum continues after I’m gone.

What I can consult on

Execution System: strategy creation, priorities, cadence, KPI/OKR accountability
Process Mapping & Workflow Automation: streamline handovers, eliminate manual steps
Profitability & Cost-to-Serve: margin leaks, what to cut/automate
Scaling Operations: onboarding, servicing, collections, SLA ownership
Org Design & Team Structure: roles, interfaces, capability gaps, scaling roadmap
Risk & Credit Ops: underwriting logic, monitoring, risk-based pricing
Regulatory Ops: controls, reporting, evidence packs, audit readiness
Board & Governance: reporting cadence, board materials, governance frameworks
Product/IT Delivery: turning strategy into shipped outcomes
Crisis / Turnaround & Change Management: regain control, stakeholder alignment, adoption roadmaps
Mihkel Stamm
Mihkel Stamm
Fractional COO • Execution & Scale

About

I am a fintech and proptech leader with 15+ years of experience scaling technology-driven businesses across Europe. Most recently, I served as CEO of Estateguru, where I led the company from a small startup into a regulated, pan-European investment platform, funding €900M+ in loans.

I’m an operator who grew into CEO through the full stack of execution: sales leadership, process design, and product delivery. That journey took me from leading frontline teams to building scalable, regulated platforms across fintech, banking, and real estate tech. In parallel, I serve as a Reserve Officer in the Estonian Defence Forces, which has shaped my operational planning and leadership under pressure. I also hold a Master’s in Psychology (clinical psychology and neuroscience), helping me combine human insight with data- and technology-driven thinking to build resilient teams and improve performance.

I've led through rapid growth and real crisis cycles and I can now help you to build the operating system that prevents avoidable pain, before it becomes expensive.
LinkedIn Contact Book a call

Contact

Fastest: book a short call. Or email me and I’ll respond within 24 hours.

Get in touch

Fastest way to reach me directly.

Email mihkel.stamm@gmail.com
Phone +372 555 750 87

Schedule an online meeting

Pick a time that works for you.

FAQ

What size companies do you typically work with?

Startups and scale-ups (seed to Series B+), especially those scaling fast, entering regulated markets, or pivoting to profitability. If you have 10 to 150 people and need execution to catch up with ambition, we'll probably fit.

Do you work outside fintech?

Yes, if the problem is execution, operating cadence, profitability discipline, or scaling operations. I'm strongest in fintech and regulated environments, and also support Defence/MilTech execution work.

How is this different from hiring a consultant or full-time COO?

I'm an operator, not a deck builder. You get working solutions (templates, dashboards, cadences), not just recommendations. Fractional means you get senior execution leadership without full time cost or long hiring cycles.

What’s the difference between Execution Reset and Fractional COO?

Execution Reset is a fixed-scope sprint designed to regain clarity and traction fast. Fractional COO is ongoing leadership support to run execution over time.

Is the Clarity Mapping really free?

Yes, if there's clear decision-maker involvement and real urgency. It's a diagnostic session, not a full strategy project. If I can't help or there's no fit, I'll tell you quickly and save both of us time.

When can we start?

Depends on urgency and alignment. If you book an intro call this week, we can map the problem the following week and kick off immediately after. Fractional COO engagements can start within 2 to 4 weeks once scope is locked.

Do you work remotely or on-site?

Both. Most engagements are remote (calls + async work), which keeps costs down. For intensive sprints or critical workshops, I can travel to your office (Tallinn based, available across Europe).

Do you also invest in startups?

Yes. If your team and execution story are compelling, I may also consider direct investment alongside advisory work. This typically works best when there's a clear founder-market fit, strong execution discipline, or a problem I've personally solved before. Reach out during your intro call if this is interesting.