What a Fractional CTO Does
Strategic
- Technology Roadmap: Align technical decisions with business goals
- Architecture Decisions: Make the right build/buy/partner choices
- Team Structure: Design org structure that scales
- Vendor Selection: Evaluate tools and platforms objectively
Tactical
- Hiring: Interview and assess engineering candidates
- Process: Establish development practices that work
- Code Quality: Set standards and review critical code
- Technical Debt: Prioritize what to fix, what to live with
Hands-On
- Architecture: Design systems that scale
- Implementation: Build critical components
- Debugging: Solve hard technical problems
- AI/ML: Implement modern AI capabilities
Engagement Models
| Model | Time | Best For |
|---|
| Advisory | 4-8 hrs/month | Strategic guidance, board prep |
| Part-time | 1-2 days/week | Active technical leadership |
| Intensive | 3-4 days/week | Critical periods, launches |
| Project | Fixed scope | Specific initiative |
My Technical Background
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| Languages: Python, TypeScript, Java, PHP
AI/ML: LangChain, RAG, Agents, LLMs, Vector DBs
Backend: FastAPI, Django, Spring Boot, Node.js
Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch
Cloud: GCP, AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform
Architecture: Microservices, Event-driven, Serverless
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Industries I’ve Worked In
- LegalTech: Enterprise IP management (Anaqua)
- SaaS: Email automation at scale (Flowrite)
- EdTech: Real-time learning platform (Virtulab)
- FinTech: Multi-currency payments (Sutraq)
- E-commerce: High-growth delivery (Drop Delivery)
- AgTech: IoT sensor platform (Spiio)
- HealthTech: Medical transport (OPERR)
What Makes Me Different
I Still Code
Many fractional CTOs are pure managers. I’ve been hands-on building production systems for 10+ years and continue to code. I can review PRs, debug hard problems, and implement critical features.
AI Expertise
I’ve built production AI systems, not just experimented. RAG for legal documents, agents that work reliably, LLM cost optimization. This is increasingly what companies need.
Startup Perspective
I understand that startups need to move fast, make pragmatic trade-offs, and iterate quickly. I won’t over-engineer or slow you down with unnecessary process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
Fractional CTO pricing: Hourly $200-500/hr, Monthly retainers $2,500-25,000+ depending on hours. Advisory tier (10-15 hrs/month): $2,500-7,500. Standard (20-30 hrs): $10,000-18,000. Heavy strategic involvement (30-40 hrs): $15,000-25,000+. This is 60-75% less than a full-time CTO ($300K-450K/year fully loaded). My retainer starts at $5,000/month.
When should a startup hire a fractional CTO?
Hire a fractional CTO when: you’re a non-technical founder building tech, need to hire your first engineers, preparing for Series A/B, facing architecture decisions beyond your expertise, need technical due diligence for fundraising, or want to professionalize engineering practices. Most valuable at seed through Series B stages.
Fractional CTO vs full-time CTO: which do I need?
Choose fractional for: early stage (pre-Series B), budget constraints, 10-30 hours/week of tech leadership needed, or testing CTO fit before full-time hire. Choose full-time for: post-Series B, tech as core differentiator, need 40+ hours/week, or building large engineering org. Fractional saves $150K-250K/year vs full-time.
What does a fractional CTO actually do?
Core responsibilities: technology strategy and roadmap, architecture decisions, engineering team hiring and building, vendor and tool evaluation, technical due diligence, investor pitch support, process improvement, and bridge between business and technology. I become part of your leadership team, not just a consultant delivering reports.
How do I choose the right fractional CTO?
Key criteria: relevant industry experience (SaaS, AI, FinTech), track record at similar stage companies, technical depth in your stack, availability matching your needs, cultural fit with your team. Red flags: never built products, only enterprise experience for startup, or unwilling to commit minimum hours. Ask for references from similar-stage startups.
Experience:
Pillar: Technical Consulting & Leadership
Related Services: Architecture Review, AI Strategy, MVP Development