CoGrow Review 2025
Fractional HR leadership for startups and growing SMEs
CoGrow provides fractional CPO and HR Director services to startups and SMEs in Singapore. Founded by experienced HR executives, CoGrow offers strategic HR leadership on a flexible, part-time basis. Their model allows growing companies to access C-level HR expertise without the cost of a full-time executive hire, making it perfect for businesses scaling from 20-200 employees.
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Rating Breakdown
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Senior HR executives with startup experience
- Flexible engagement models (monthly, no long-term lock-in)
- Startup-focused approach and understanding
- Strategic and hands-on execution support
- Network of HR specialists and vendors
- Fast onboarding (can start within 1 week)
- Cost-effective vs full-time CPO hire (save 60-70%)
- Singapore employment law expertise
Cons
- Premium pricing compared to HR consultants
- Limited availability (curated client portfolio)
- Not suitable for very small teams (<20 employees)
- Fractional model may not suit companies needing 24/7 HR
- Focus on growth-stage companies (may not fit all industries)
Key Features & Services
Strategic HR Leadership
End-to-end HR strategy including roadmap development, organizational design, workforce planning and forecasting, culture and values definition, leadership coaching, board/investor updates, and M&A HR integration support.
Compensation & Benefits Design
Comprehensive total rewards including compensation philosophy design, salary benchmarking (Singapore & regional), equity and ESOP design, benefits optimization, bonus structures, review cycles, and offer templates.
People Operations Setup
Complete HR infrastructure including policies and employee handbook, performance management systems, onboarding/offboarding programs, leave and attendance policies, MOM/WSHA compliance audit, and HR metrics dashboards.
Talent Acquisition Strategy
Full recruitment strategy and execution including hiring process design, recruitment agency selection, interviewing frameworks, offer negotiation support, employer branding, talent pipeline building, and ATS implementation.
HR Technology Stack
HR tech optimization including HRIS platform selection (BambooHR, Darwinbox), payroll system integration, performance management tools, ATS selection, engagement platforms, tech stack optimization, and vendor negotiations.
Executive Advisory & Coaching
Ongoing strategic support including leadership team coaching, difficult conversation navigation, conflict resolution, employee relations guidance, change management advisory, quarterly strategic reviews, and on-demand HR consultation.
Pricing & Plans
Pricing Model: Flexible fractional engagement model with transparent monthly retainers.
Strategic Advisory
8-10 hours/month for strategic guidance and quarterly planning (ideal for 20-50 employees)
Operational Support
20-25 hours/month for hands-on execution and ongoing HR leadership (50-100 employees)
Fractional CPO
40+ hours/month for senior HR executive leadership (100-200 employees)
What Clients Say
"CoGrow transformed our people operations from chaotic to strategic. Their fractional CPO helped us design compensation bands, implement performance reviews, and prepare our HR function for Series A. Worth every dollar."
"As a 60-person company, we couldn't justify a full-time CPO yet. CoGrow gave us senior HR leadership at a fraction of the cost. They set up our entire HR infrastructure in 3 months."
"The CoGrow team understands startups deeply. They didn't just give us theory - they rolled up their sleeves and built our employee handbook, compensation framework, and hiring processes. Highly recommend!"
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does CoGrow fractional HR cost?
CoGrow pricing starts from $3,000/month for 8-10 hours of strategic advisory (ideal for 20-50 employees), $5,000/month for 20-25 hours of operational support (50-100 employees), and $8,000/month for 40+ hours of fractional CPO services (100-200 employees). All engagements are month-to-month with no long-term contracts required.
What's the difference between CoGrow and hiring a full-time HR Director?
A full-time HR Director in Singapore costs $120,000-200,000/year all-in (salary + CPF + benefits). CoGrow's fractional model costs $36,000-96,000/year, saving you 60-70% while giving you access to senior HR executives with startup experience. You also avoid recruitment costs, onboarding time, and the risk of a bad hire.
Is CoGrow suitable for my company size?
CoGrow works best with companies that have 20-200 employees. If you're below 20 employees, basic HR consulting or payroll services may be more cost-effective. If you're above 200 employees, you likely need a full-time HR leader. The sweet spot is growth-stage startups and SMEs scaling rapidly who need senior HR expertise without full-time cost.
How quickly can CoGrow start working with us?
CoGrow can typically start within 1 week of initial consultation. The onboarding process includes a discovery session to understand your needs, defining engagement scope, and then immediate hands-on work. Unlike hiring a full-time HR Director (which takes 2-3 months), you can have senior HR leadership in place almost immediately.
What kind of HR background do CoGrow's fractional leaders have?
CoGrow's fractional CPOs and HR Directors have 15-25 years of HR leadership experience, primarily in tech startups and fast-growing SMEs. Many have been CPOs or HR Directors at Series A-C funded companies, bringing deep expertise in scaling organizations, fundraising preparation, and building HR from scratch in growth environments.
Can CoGrow help with Singapore employment law compliance?
Yes, CoGrow has deep Singapore employment law expertise including Employment Act, MOM regulations, CPF requirements, work pass compliance, and workplace safety. They can audit your current HR compliance, create compliant policies, and ensure you're meeting all statutory requirements. This is especially valuable for foreign founders unfamiliar with Singapore HR regulations.
What's included in CoGrow's services vs what costs extra?
All strategic advisory, policy development, system design, and hands-on HR execution are included in the monthly retainer. Additional costs may apply for: (1) third-party software licenses (HRIS, payroll), (2) external recruitment fees if you hire agencies, (3) training program facilitation, (4) legal review of employment contracts (we recommend lawyers for final review). CoGrow is transparent about what's included vs extra costs.
How does the fractional engagement model work in practice?
CoGrow operates on a flexible monthly retainer with agreed-upon hours. Your fractional HR leader will typically: (1) attend key leadership meetings, (2) hold weekly check-ins, (3) be available on Slack/email for urgent questions, (4) deliver specific projects (e.g., compensation framework, employee handbook), and (5) provide quarterly strategic reviews. Hours can flex based on needs - busier during hiring seasons or restructuring, lighter during stable periods.
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Services Offered
- Fractional CPO / HR Director
- HR Strategy & Roadmap Development
- Compensation & Benefits Design
- People Operations Setup
- Performance Management Systems
- Organizational Design
- Employee Handbook & Policies
- Leadership Coaching
- Talent Acquisition Strategy
- HR Tech Stack Selection