Fractional CTO for Startups
The technical leadership investors expect, before you can afford it full-time.
Who it is for
Non-technical founders, technical founders who need a senior sounding board, and startups between engineering leaders.
Founders at pre-seed through Series B need decisions made fast and made well: what to build, what to buy, whom to hire, and how to explain it to investors. We step in as your part-time CTO so you can raise, ship, and hire with confidence.
Deliverables
Architecture and stack decisions
Choices that let you move fast now without a rewrite at Series A.
Investor-ready technology narrative
Technical slides, diligence data room, and answers to the questions VCs ask.
First engineering hires
Job specs, interview loops, and offer guidance for your first engineers and lead.
Vendor and agency oversight
Independent review of outsourced development so you get what you pay for.
Security and compliance baseline
The minimum needed to close enterprise pilots without slowing the team.
Weekly leadership cadence
Standing time with the founding team plus async access in between.
Engagement approach
Week 1
Assessment of product, code, team, and runway; immediate risks flagged.
Weeks 2 to 4
Roadmap, hiring plan, and technical narrative for your next raise.
Ongoing
One to two days per week leading engineering and advising the founders.
Handoff
Hire a full-time CTO or VP Engineering when it makes sense; we help you find them.
What you walk away with
- Technical credibility with investors and enterprise customers
- Faster shipping with fewer expensive detours
- A senior engineering hire made right the first time
- A CTO-level partner without a CTO-level salary
- Strategy
- Architecture
- Hiring
- Fundraising support
- Security baseline
Common questions
Can you take equity?
We work primarily on a monthly retainer. Some engagements combine a reduced retainer with advisory equity; we are open to discussing it once we know each other.
What stage is the best fit?
Pre-seed through Series B. Later than that, a full-time CTO usually makes sense and we help you hire one.
Will you write code?
When it is the fastest path, yes, particularly early on. As the team grows the role shifts to architecture, review, and leadership.
Often combined with
MVP & Launch Sprint
A fixed-scope six to ten week build that takes a validated idea to a launched, instrumented product.
Learn moreTechnical Due Diligence & Investor Readiness
Independent assessment of code, architecture, team, and security for founders raising and investors evaluating.
Learn moreStartup Cloud Foundation
Google Cloud set up right from day one: credits, landing zone, cost controls, and a security baseline that closes enterprise deals.
Learn moreTalk to us about Fractional CTO for Startups
A 30-minute call is enough to tell whether this is the right engagement and what it would take.