Fractional CTO / Tech Lead for Startups — Architecture, Delivery, and Scale
If you’re searching for a fractional CTO, interim CTO, CTO as a service, or a tech lead for a startup, you usually want one thing: turn uncertainty into a plan, then ship without burning the budget.
I help founders and product teams build predictable delivery: architecture, engineering process, hiring, and hands‑on execution when needed.
When you need a fractional CTO
You’ll recognize yourself if:
- delivery is slipping and “it’s always almost done”
- there’s no clear architecture and every feature breaks something
- you don’t trust estimates (timeline keeps moving)
- you need to hire engineers but can’t evaluate candidates well
- you’re preparing for technical due diligence or investor questions
What I do in the first 7–14 days (fast impact)
- Audit & diagnosis (code, architecture, delivery workflow)
- Risk map (what can blow up timelines/costs)
- Roadmap & release plan (MVP → iterations)
- Engineering process (planning, code review, CI/CD basics)
- Hiring support (job spec, interview loop, evaluation)
Deliverables you can actually use
- architecture diagram (current → target)
- prioritized backlog (what to build first)
- estimate ranges with assumptions (not a single “magic number”)
- risk register (technical debt, dependencies, unknowns)
- “definition of done” and acceptance criteria templates
Engagement models
- One‑off: audit + roadmap + recommendations
- Retainer: fractional CTO (part‑time, remote) to lead delivery
- Interim: replace a missing CTO during transition
FAQ (high‑intent questions)
How many hours per week do we need?
Most teams start with 4–8 hours/week and scale up during critical phases (launch, hiring, rescue).
What does a fractional CTO cost?
Depends on scope (audit vs ongoing leadership), product stage, and team maturity. I work hourly or on retainer.
Can you take over an existing project (rescue / takeover)?
Yes — first I do a quick audit, then stabilize delivery and reduce risk.
Do you sign NDA and work with limited access?
Yes. We can start with read‑only access and expand as needed.
Can you help with hiring a technical cofounder / head of engineering?
Yes — I can design the hiring process, interview, and help you choose.
In 15 minutes I’ll help you decide what to do first to stop timeline/cost drift and what inputs are required for a reliable estimate.