Ongoing AI support — without the cost of a full-time hire.
AI capability doesn’t stop growing after the project ends. Akoora’s retainer keeps us embedded in your business — reviewing performance, identifying new opportunities, and implementing improvements as your needs evolve.
The retainer is typically the next step after an AI Readiness Audit or AI Strategy & Roadmap engagement.
AI progress stalls when the project ends.
The engagement finished. The strategy was delivered. The automations went live. And then — gradually — things slowed down.
The team that implemented it moved to the next client. New opportunities are being spotted but not acted on. The strategy document is six months old and some of it no longer reflects where the business is heading.
AI isn’t a project. It’s a capability that compounds — when it’s maintained, reviewed, and extended over time.
What’s included in the Akoora AI Retainer
The retainer is a structured, ongoing relationship — not an open-ended support contract. It has defined scope, regular touchpoints, and clear deliverables each month.
Monthly advisory session
A regular working session with your leadership team or nominated AI lead. We review performance against your roadmap, assess new opportunities, and make decisions about next priorities.
Implementation support
A set allocation of implementation hours each month — for extending existing automations, building new ones, or adjusting what’s been built as your needs change.
Quarterly strategy review
Every quarter, we step back from the day-to-day and review the broader direction, ensuring your roadmap reflects where you are now — not where you were when the strategy was written.
Priority access
Retainer clients get priority scheduling for additional work. If a significant opportunity or issue surfaces outside the regular cadence, we’re available to respond quickly.
How the retainer works
Scope and onboarding
We start by understanding what’s been built, what’s in the roadmap, and what your team needs on an ongoing basis. The retainer scope is set based on your business size and complexity.
Monthly rhythm
Each month follows a consistent structure — a working session, implementation work against the agreed allocation, and a brief written summary of what was done and what’s next.
Quarterly review
Every three months, we run a more substantial strategy review, assess progress against the roadmap, identify new priorities, and update the plan for the next quarter.
Flexible scope
Retainer scope can be adjusted at each quarterly review. If your needs increase, we adjust the engagement accordingly.
Who the retainer is for
Businesses that have completed an Akoora engagement
an audit, a strategy, or an automation build — and want to maintain momentum rather than letting progress stall between projects.
CEOs and COOs
who want AI expertise on hand without the cost and commitment of a full-time AI hire — and without kicking off a new project scope every time something needs attention.
Organisations with an active AI roadmap
who want structured accountability for executing it — and a team that knows their business well enough to make good decisions quickly.
The retainer is not designed for businesses that haven’t yet started their AI journey. If you’re at the beginning, start with the AI Readiness Audit.
What you receive each month
- Monthly advisory session with your leadership team or AI lead
- Implementation hours for ongoing build and extension work
- Written monthly summary — what was done, what’s next
- Quarterly strategy review and roadmap update
- Priority access for time-sensitive issues and opportunities
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to have worked with Akoora before to start a retainer?+
The retainer works best when we already know your business — your systems, your team, and your roadmap. For that reason, most retainer clients have completed at least an AI Readiness Audit or Strategy engagement with us first.
What’s the minimum retainer commitment?+
Retainers are structured as six-month engagements, reviewed at the end of each term. This gives enough time for meaningful progress and for the relationship to develop properly.
How many hours are included in the retainer?+
Implementation hours are scoped based on your needs and agreed at the start of the engagement. We’ll give you a clear picture of what that covers before you commit.
Can we pause or end the retainer if our needs change?+
Yes. We build reasonable flexibility into the retainer structure. If your business situation changes significantly, we’d rather have that conversation than hold you to a contract that no longer makes sense.
Is the retainer just advisory, or does it include actual implementation work?+
Both. The monthly advisory session is strategic — reviewing, planning, and deciding. The implementation hours are for hands-on work — building, adjusting, extending. The ratio between the two is adjusted at each quarterly review.
What if we need more implementation hours than the retainer includes in a given month?+
We flag it early so there are no surprises. Additional hours can be added to a given month — we scope and agree before proceeding.
Keep the momentum going.
Already working with Akoora? Talk to your contact about transitioning to a retainer after your current engagement.