How is Rathvane different from ChatGPT or Perplexity?
Those are question-answering tools. You ask, they search, they summarize, you get text. Rathvane is an execution platform. You bring a business problem, we run it through specialized expert systems with encoded methodologies, structured workflows, and governance guardrails, and you get coordinated strategic deliverables. The difference is the gap between searching for information and executing expert analysis. Learn more about how our platform works.
Can AI really replace McKinsey consultants?
We're not replacing consultants entirely. We're replacing the 80% of consulting work that's structured analytical methodology — Porter's Five Forces, DCF valuation, market sizing, competitive analysis. Those are known frameworks being applied to client data. We've encoded them. The 20% that requires human judgment, relationship management, and on-the-ground implementation is where human advisors remain essential. We free clients to invest their human capital budget on that 20%.
You're brand new. Why should I trust you?
Trust our output. We publish our methodology. We cite our sources. We expose our governance guardrails. MBB firms operate as black boxes where you pay millions and hope the team assigned to your project is good. We deliver transparent, consistent, reproducible results. Request a sample analysis and compare it to any MBB deliverable.
Who built the platform?
Rathvane was founded by John Kirker, a strategic technology executive with 30+ years of experience building systems and software used by 100+ Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Charles Schwab, eBay, Expedia, Fidelity, Kaiser Permanente, Motorola, and Verizon. The platform encodes the analytical methodologies of 4,800+ cross-connected methodologies, strategies, and frameworks modeled after 700+ revered industry experts across 54 specialized Expert Systems. Read more about our founder.
What types of deliverables do you produce?
Strategic assessments, competitive battle cards, financial models, GTM plans, brand positioning frameworks, fundraising readiness packages, executive briefings, and more. Every deliverable is a structured strategic document with cited sources, not a text summary. See our full service lineup.
What industries do you serve?
Our expert systems encode analytical methodology that applies across every major industry — technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer products, professional services, and industrial sectors. The frameworks are universal; we apply them to your specific competitive data and market dynamics. See our industries page.
How long does an engagement take?
Focused analyses (competitive intelligence, market sizing) take 2-5 days. Comprehensive engagements (full GTM strategy, corporate strategy) take 7-14 days. Compare that to 8-12 weeks at an MBB firm. See detailed timelines on our pricing page.
What if I just need a quick, small analysis?
Our competitive intelligence service starts at $5K. That gets you a focused competitive landscape or market sizing analysis. No minimum engagement bloat. See our pricing.
How do you ensure quality?
306 documented quality guardrails govern every analysis. Every factual claim is cited to its source with Tier 1-7 quality ratings. Every methodology is documented. Every conclusion is traceable. Our governance framework ensures consistent quality across every engagement. Learn about our platform.
What about data security?
All client data is handled with strict confidentiality. We don't use client data to train models or share it across engagements. Your competitive intelligence stays yours. We're happy to sign NDAs and data handling agreements before any engagement. Contact us to discuss your security requirements.
How does your quality compare to McKinsey/BCG/Bain?
We use the same analytical frameworks — the same Porter's Five Forces, the same DCF models, the same competitive analysis methodology. The difference is delivery mechanism: they use teams of consultants at $700+/hour; we use encoded expert systems. Don't take our word for it — request a sample and compare.
Why are you so much cheaper than MBB firms?
Different cost structure. McKinsey has 45,000 employees, hundreds of offices, and partner compensation that requires $700+/hour billing. We've encoded expert methodology into systems that execute digitally. Lower overhead, same analytical frameworks, 70-97% less cost. See our transparent pricing.
Do you offer ongoing/recurring engagements?
Yes. Annual intelligence programs range from $50K-$200K/year and include quarterly competitive intelligence refreshes, strategic updates before board meetings, new analyses as needed, and priority turnaround. This is the equivalent of an on-retainer MBB team at a fraction of the cost. See our pricing tiers.
What's the process to get started?
Three options: (1) Request a sample competitive analysis at no cost, (2) Book a 30-minute strategy call, or (3) Send a general inquiry. We respond within one business day. Contact us to get started.
Do you work with private equity firms?
PE firms are our highest-priority segment. We deliver consistent, scalable analysis across entire portfolios — competitive intelligence, value creation assessments, GTM strategy, and exit readiness — at a fraction of what MBB charges per portfolio company. See our PE solutions.