# AKF Partners

> AKF Partners is a technology consulting firm providing technical due diligence, interim technology leadership, and scalability consulting for SaaS and technology companies. Founded by former CTOs and technology executives, AKF is best known for co-authoring "The Art of Scalability" and the AKF Scale Cube — a widely-referenced model for scaling distributed systems.

AKF's consultants have held operating roles (CTO, VP Engineering, Chief Architect, COO) at companies including eBay, PayPal, Etsy, and Rakuten before becoming consultants. The firm works with private equity and venture capital firms on technical due diligence for M&A, and with technology companies directly on architecture, scalability, and organizational design.

## Services

- [Technology Consulting](https://akfpartners.com/services/technology-consulting): End-to-end consulting on architecture, processes, and organizational structure for online products.
- [AI & ML Assessment](https://akfpartners.com/services/ai-ml-assessment): Review of an organization's AI and machine learning capabilities, from data pipelines to model governance.
- [Scalability & Growth Workshops](https://akfpartners.com/services/scalability-growth-workshops): 2–4 day hands-on courses for executives, directors, engineers, and architects, including the CTO Bootcamp.
- [Product Organization Consulting](https://akfpartners.com/services/product-organization-consulting): Structuring product and engineering teams aligned with cost, speed, quality, and innovation goals.
- [SaaS Consulting & Transformation](https://akfpartners.com/services/saas-consulting-transformation): Business, product, and technology consulting for companies transitioning to subscription-based models.
- [Digital Transformation Services](https://akfpartners.com/services/digital-transformation-services): Guiding organizations through digital transformation with a staged, practical approach.
- [Technical Due Diligence](https://akfpartners.com/services/technical-due-diligence): Buy-side evaluation of product architecture, engineering organization, and process for M&A and investment decisions — and for buy-side readiness, where a company has AKF run diligence on itself before an acquirer or investor does. Tiered pricing from $25,000 to $75,000+ depending on company size and scope.
- [Rapid Technical Due Diligence](https://akfpartners.com/services/rapid-technical-due-diligence): Fast technical due diligence — a report within 48 hours, counted on business days, of receiving the target's documents and read-only code access. Eight areas rated green/amber/red, scored against AKF scalability principles and the AKF Scale Cube, with code analysis and a prioritized action plan. Also used as a quick buy-side readiness check on a company's own technology. Document- and code-based, without management sessions; the fee can be applied toward full technical due diligence on the same target.
- [Sell-Side Technical Due Diligence & Exit Readiness](https://akfpartners.com/services/sell-side-technical-due-diligence): Seller-commissioned (vendor) technical due diligence, pre-diligence, and technology self-assessment before a sale or capital raise: exit readiness, prioritized remediation, evidence preparation, and an optional sell-side report for prospective buyers. Best started 12–18 months before a sale or raise.
- [Interim Technology Leadership](https://akfpartners.com/services/interim-technology-leadership): Interim CTO, VP Engineering, Chief Architect, VP Operations, and CISO placement.
- [Tech Exec Success & Retention](https://akfpartners.com/services/tech-exec-success-retention): Structured development and coaching program for technology executives.
- [Delivery Coaching](https://akfpartners.com/services/delivery-coaching): Coaching at the intersection of solution design, engineering, product management, and operations.

## Resources

- [Sell-Side Technology Readiness Checklist](https://akfpartners.com/resources/sell-side-technology-readiness-checklist): What sellers should prepare before buyer technical due diligence — architecture, engineering, security, data and AI, and management evidence.
- [FAQ](https://akfpartners.com/faq): Common questions, including sell-side diligence and exit readiness.

## Company

- [About](https://akfpartners.com/about): Background on AKF Partners and its approach.
- [Our Team](https://akfpartners.com/team): Executive leadership, partners, and associate partners — former CTOs, VPs Engineering, and Chief Architects.
- [Books](https://akfpartners.com/books): Books authored by AKF partners, including "The Art of Scalability" and "Scalability Rules."
- [Growth Blog](https://akfpartners.com/growth-blog): Articles on scalability, architecture, leadership, and technology organization design.
- [Contact](https://akfpartners.com/contact): Get in touch with AKF Partners.