How iDharma works.
Three flows. One trust layer. Buyer, Consultant, Consultancy — all on the same standard.
iDharma works in three flows: Buyers post projects, browse verified consultants and consultancies, and fund Stripe Connect escrow. Consultants and consultancies — all verified against a public methodology — bid on projects, deliver milestones, and get paid as the buyer approves. Disputes go to iDharma mediation within 7 business days; binding JAMS arbitration in Indianapolis is the final backstop. iDharma takes 20% on direct hires or 15% when a verified firm is in the middle. Every action is audit-logged. Every payment is escrowed. The methodology is public — CC BY-SA 4.0.
Choose your path.
Three roles, three flows. Jump straight to the one that matches you.
If you're a Buyer.
Hire AI consultants or a verified firm. Pay only when work is delivered.
Create your account
Sign up with email. Pick 'Company/Client' role. Add company name, size, and what AI work you're considering.
Post your project
Scope, timeline, budget range, required skills, optional vertical (HIPAA, FINRA, etc.). Takes 10 minutes.
Match
Verified consultants and firms apply OR you browse the directory and invite specific people. iDharma can recommend 3 fits based on your scope.
Pick + agree on terms
Review proposals. Pick one. Agree on milestones, dollar amounts, and deliverables in writing.
Fund escrow
Stripe Connect holds the project funds. iDharma never touches the money directly. Consultant sees 'funded' status and starts work.
Project runs
Consultant delivers each milestone. You approve or request changes. Real-time chat. File sharing. Audit logged.
Payments release
On approval, milestone funds release to the consultant or firm. iDharma's commission (20% direct or 15% via firm) deducted at release. You see the breakdown.
Review + rehire
Leave a public review. Your verified-buyer review counts toward the consultant's renewal. Easy rehire for next project.
If you're a Consultant.
Get Verified once. Get matched to AI projects. Keep 80% of every dollar.
Apply for verification
5-minute form. Pick your tier (Apprentice, Verified, or Senior). Submit identity, references, case study, sign Code of Ethics.
Get Verified in 7-14 days
iDharma reviews your docs, contacts your references, makes a decision. Written reasoning either way.
Browse projects
Open projects matching your skills appear in your feed. Verified tier = priority placement in buyer searches.
Submit proposals
Propose scope, timeline, milestones, and price. Each proposal includes your cover letter, rate, and proposed milestones.
Get hired
Buyer picks you. Both parties accept terms. iDharma generates a contract for e-sign via DocuSign.
Deliver
Work milestone by milestone. Submit deliverables via the platform. Real-time chat with the buyer.
Get paid
Milestones release to your Stripe Connect account on buyer approval. Bi-weekly payouts. Tax-ready 1099 reports at year-end.
Reviews compound
Buyer reviews boost your visibility. 3+ engagements/year means free verification renewal.
If you're a Consultancy.
List your firm. Activate your bench. Earn 5% on every project your team delivers.
Apply for firm verification
10-minute form. Submit incorporation docs, named partner ID, two client references, E&O insurance certificate, signed Firm Code of Ethics.
Get verified in 3-5 business days
Firm-level review. Decision with written reasoning. Firm badge goes live on your profile.
Onboard your bench
Invite your consultants. They each create profiles under your firm. They inherit your firm verification badge.
Enterprise projects flow in
Buyers looking for firms (not individuals) see your verified consultancy. iDharma routes $50K-$5M project briefs to qualifying firms.
Firm submits proposals
Your partner or BD lead submits the firm proposal — including the team assigned, scope, milestones, and price.
Firm hired
Buyer picks your firm. Contract executed via DocuSign — firm signatory + buyer signatory. Escrow funded.
Team delivers
Your consultants execute. Milestones submitted from individual consultants OR firm partner. Buyer approves.
Payment splits 3 ways
On milestone release: Firm gets 5%. iDharma gets 15%. Consultant(s) keep 80%. Split is transparent — all parties see the breakdown.
What's included in every project.
The same trust layer applies to every buyer, consultant, and firm.
Escrow on every payment
Stripe Connect holds funds until milestones approved. Zero exception.
E-signed contracts
DocuSign-backed agreements. NDAs, IP assignment, MSA. Stored with cryptographic hash + timestamp.
Audit log on every action
Every write to buyer/consultant data logged with timestamp + actor. 12-month retention. Available on request.
Dispute resolution in 7 days
iDharma mediation first. JAMS binding arbitration in Indianapolis as backstop. Class action waived.
Built-in messaging
Real-time chat between buyer + consultant or firm. Files shared in-platform. All searchable.
Verified all the way
Every consultant or firm on the platform passes published verification criteria. Methodology open at /methodology.
What it costs.
Transparent rates. No hidden add-ons on buyer invoices.
Buyers
Free to post and browse. iDharma's commission is deducted on milestone release, not added to your invoice. Verified-buyer status free for the first 12 months.
Consultants & Firms
Verification fees apply (see /pricing). Consultants keep 80% of every project — always. Firms keep 5% + their consultant's 80% when projects flow through the firm. Founding Cohort spots free through August 2026.
Ready to start?
Pick the path that matches you.