Pertama Partners
Alternatives Guide

tenex.co Alternatives for AI Implementation

tenex.co's anti-consulting, engineering-only model works for established enterprises ($25M+ revenue). If you need strategy, training, or are under their revenue threshold, these alternatives serve the broader market.

Why Look for tenex.co Alternatives?

Your company is under $25M revenue (tenex's minimum)
You need AI strategy and training, not just engineering
You want a consultant in Southeast Asia (not US-based)
You're a first-time AI adopter who needs guidance alongside building
You want government funding support for AI training
You prefer a partner who advises AND builds

What to Consider When Switching from tenex.co

When evaluating alternatives to tenex.co, it's important to look beyond surface-level comparisons. The right AI consulting partner should align with your organisation's size, budget, timeline, and strategic objectives. Many companies initially gravitate toward large-name consultancies for their brand recognition and global reach. However, this often means higher costs, slower engagement timelines, and frameworks designed for Fortune 500 enterprises — not the agile, results-oriented approach that mid-market companies need. Key pain points that drive companies to seek alternatives include opaque pricing structures, lack of hands-on implementation support, generic recommendations that don't account for Asia-Pacific regulatory environments, and consultant dependency that never leads to internal capability building. The ideal partner combines strategic advisory with practical implementation, offers transparent pricing, provides genuine knowledge transfer to your team, and has deep expertise in your specific industry and geographic context.
Pricing Transparency

How clearly the firm communicates costs upfront. Look for fixed-fee engagements vs open-ended time-and-materials billing.

SMB Focus

Whether the firm genuinely serves small-to-mid-size companies or treats them as secondary to enterprise accounts.

Local Presence in Asia-Pacific

On-the-ground teams who understand regional regulations, languages, and business culture — not just a regional office.

Implementation vs Strategy Only

Does the firm help you build and deploy AI, or just hand over a slide deck? Execution capability separates advisors from consultants.

Team Training & Enablement

Post-engagement knowledge transfer ensures your team can maintain and extend AI initiatives without ongoing consultant dependency.

Industry-Specific AI Expertise

Generic AI knowledge is insufficient. Look for firms with deep domain expertise in your specific industry vertical.

Best tenex.co Alternatives

Pertama Partners
Top Pick
AI Training & Advisory for SMB in Southeast Asia

Strategy + training + engineering combined. No revenue minimums, SEA-focused, with government funding.

Key Strengths:

  • No revenue minimum requirements
  • Strategy + training + engineering combined
  • Government funding expertise
  • SEA local expertise (not US-based)
  • Guidance for first-time AI adopters

Best for: SMB wanting complete AI support from strategy to engineering

Intersect AI
Planning + delivery bridge, ROI-focused

ROI-focused AI consulting that bridges strategy and delivery. More structured than tenex's engineering-only model.

Key Strengths:

  • ROI measurement methodology
  • Strategy-to-delivery bridge
  • More structured engagement model

Best for: Companies wanting ROI-measured AI with strategy included

Avensys
End-to-end transformation, Hire.Train.Deploy

AI transformation with talent placement. Alternative engineering approach through Hire.Train.Deploy.

Key Strengths:

  • Hire.Train.Deploy for AI talent
  • SEA presence
  • Engineering talent delivered to your team

Best for: Companies wanting AI engineers embedded in their team

Side-by-Side Comparison

FirmTarget MarketPrice PointGeographyBest For
tenex.coEnterprisePremiumGlobal, United StatesAnti-consulting, engineering-led AI implementation
Pertama PartnersTop PickSMBMid-MarketSingapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, VietnamSMB wanting complete AI support from strategy to engineering
Intersect AIEnterprisePremiumGlobalCompanies wanting ROI-measured AI with strategy included
AvensysEnterpriseMid-MarketSingapore, Southeast AsiaCompanies wanting AI engineers embedded in their team

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'anti-consulting' mean at tenex?

tenex deliberately avoids traditional consulting activities — no strategy decks, no PowerPoints, no advisory meetings. They focus purely on engineering: building AI solutions directly. For companies with clear vision, this is efficient. For those needing guidance, it's limiting.

Can I use tenex if I'm under $25M revenue?

tenex targets companies with $25M+ revenue. Below that threshold, firms like Pertama are designed specifically for your market size. Pertama has no revenue minimums and includes the training and strategy that smaller companies typically need.

Is tenex available in Southeast Asia?

tenex is US-based with global delivery. They don't have dedicated SEA presence or expertise in regional government funding. For SEA-specific AI implementation, local firms offer better market knowledge and funding access.

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