Fractional CTO Services
Executive Technical Leadership Without the Full-Time Cost
You need a CTO who can make architectural decisions, scale your team, and align technology with business goals. But you're not ready for a $300K+ full-time hire. That's where I come in.
I work with 2-3 companies at a time, providing 10-25 hours/week of hands-on technical leadership. You get the strategic guidance of an experienced CTO at a fraction of the cost.
Is This Right for You?
Good Fit
- ✓Series A-C startup with 1-100 engineers
- ✓Technical founder who needs to focus on product/sales
- ✓Non-technical founder who needs a technical partner
- ✓Growing fast and need to scale engineering processes
- ✓Board wants technical leadership but budget is tight
Not a Fit
- ✗Need someone full-time, 40+ hours/week
- ✗Looking for a dev shop to build your entire product
- ✗Pre-seed with no engineering team yet
- ✗Need someone to just write code, not lead
How It Works
Discovery Call
We start with a free 30-minute call to understand your situation. What's working? What's broken? What are your goals for the next 6-12 months? I'll give you honest feedback on whether I can help.
Assessment Week
If we're a fit, I spend the first week understanding your codebase, talking to your team, and reviewing your processes. I'll identify the highest-impact opportunities and create a 90-day roadmap.
Ongoing Partnership
I integrate with your team as a part-time executive. Weekly 1:1s with you and your leads, attendance at key meetings, architecture reviews, hiring support, and strategic planning. I'm in Slack, I'm in your codebase, and I'm accountable for results.
What's Included
Strategic Leadership
- • Technology roadmap aligned with business goals
- • Architecture decisions and technical direction
- • Build vs. buy recommendations
- • Vendor evaluation and selection
Team Building
- • Hiring strategy and job descriptions
- • Technical interview process design
- • Candidate screening and evaluation
- • Onboarding and team structure
Process Improvement
- • Sprint planning and agile practices
- • Delivery cadence and predictability
- • Code review and quality standards
- • CI/CD and deployment processes
Hands-On Technical Work
- • Architecture reviews and design docs
- • Code reviews for critical paths
- • Debugging complex production issues
- • Prototyping and proof-of-concepts
Results You Can Expect
Improvement in sprint predictability
Interchain Foundation
Team retention rate maintained
Across all engagements
Engineers scaled in 18 months
Input Output Global
Related Case Study
When Everyrealm's CEO reached out, their engineering team was demoralized and stuck in a rewrite debate. I stepped in as interim technical leadership, stabilized the team, and shipped their crypto casino platform in 30 days.
Read the full case study →Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a fractional CTO and a full-time CTO?
A fractional CTO provides the same strategic leadership and technical expertise as a full-time CTO, but works part-time (typically 10-25 hours/week) across multiple companies. You get executive-level guidance at a fraction of the $300K+ annual cost of a full-time hire.
How many hours per week do you typically work with clients?
Most engagements are 10-25 hours per week, depending on your needs. Early-stage startups might need 10-15 hours for strategic guidance, while companies in growth mode or crisis might need 20-25 hours for more hands-on involvement.
Do you write code or just provide strategy?
Both. I still write production code in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Rust. While my primary value is strategic - architecture decisions, team building, process improvement - I can also dive into code reviews, debug critical issues, and prototype solutions when needed.
How long do fractional CTO engagements typically last?
Most engagements run 6-12 months. Some companies use fractional CTO services as a bridge while hiring a full-time CTO, while others maintain the relationship long-term because it provides the leadership they need without the overhead.
Can you help us hire a full-time CTO to replace you?
Absolutely. Many engagements include defining the CTO role, building the job description, screening candidates, and helping with technical interviews. I can also help onboard your new CTO and ensure a smooth transition.
Investment
per month retainer
- ✓10-25 hours per week
- ✓Month-to-month, no long-term contract required
- ✓Includes all strategic and hands-on work
- ✓Available via Slack, email, and video calls
Ready to Get Technical Leadership Without the Full-Time Cost?
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll discuss your challenges and I'll tell you honestly whether fractional CTO services are the right fit for your situation.
Schedule Free ConsultationOr explore other services: Team Rescue | Cloud Optimization