Fractional CTO
Technical decisions made, written down and owned.
- How long3 months or more
- How we workRetainer
- OptionsAdvisor, Part-time, Embedded
What you receive
You get a senior technical leader for the days you need, making decisions, writing them down and owning them, without hiring full time.
How much of their time do we get?
You receiveAgreed days each month
Senior help is there when decisions come up, at a cost that fits a growing company.
What it is. A fixed number of days each month, booked in advance, with time for urgent questions in between.
Why it matters. Senior help is there when decisions come up, at a cost that fits a growing company.
Where is our technology heading?
You receiveA technology roadmap
Your technology plan matches the business plan, and everyone can see it.
What it is. A plan for the next 6 to 12 months: what to build, fix or replace, and in what order.
Why it matters. Your technology plan matches the business plan, and everyone can see it.
Are we getting value from our suppliers?
You receiveSupplier and vendor reviews
You stop paying for things that do not deliver, and choose new suppliers with someone technical on your side.
What it is. Reviews of the agencies, tools and services you pay for: what they cost, what they deliver and what to change.
Why it matters. You stop paying for things that do not deliver, and choose new suppliers with someone technical on your side.
How do we hire good engineers?
You receiveHiring support and interviews
Bad technical hires are expensive.
What it is. Help writing roles, setting technical tests and interviewing candidates.
Why it matters. Bad technical hires are expensive. A senior engineer in the room improves every decision.
Why did we choose this?
You receiveArchitecture decisions in writing
New people understand the system faster, and the same debates stop coming back.
What it is. Each major technical decision written down: the options, the choice and the reasons.
Why it matters. New people understand the system faster, and the same debates stop coming back.
How is the technology side going?
You receiveA monthly update for the board
Your board and investors stay informed without needing to read code.
What it is. A short monthly report on progress, risks and decisions, written for non-technical readers.
Why it matters. Your board and investors stay informed without needing to read code.
Choose the level that fits
Every tier includes everything in "What you receive". The quote confirms the exact scope.
Advisor
A few key decisions a month
- 2 days a month
- Monthly roadmap review
- Supplier and architecture advice
- Email support between sessions
Part-time
A steady technical lead
- 4 days a month
- Everything in Advisor
- Hiring support and interviews
- Monthly board update
Embedded
Leading a growing team
- 8 days a month
- Everything in Part-time
- Sprint planning with your team
- Code and design reviews
From brief to done
- 1
Month 1
Listen and assess
Meet the team, read the systems and agree the priorities.
- 2
Month 2
Plan
The roadmap and the first written decisions.
- 3
Each month after
Lead
Agreed days on decisions, suppliers and hiring, and a board update.
Is this idea worth building, and where do we start?
Idea to first step. A one-page brief for your idea: the problem, who it is for, the smallest useful first release and the risks.
- A 30-minute call about the idea and the people it is for
- A one-page brief you can share with a co-founder, a board or another supplier
- It is free. There is nothing to pay and nothing to sign.
- The report is yours to keep and share, whatever you decide.
- No sales call unless you ask for one.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost?
We send a written quote after your request: what it covers and what it does not. The tier, scope and timing set the price.
Could I just use AI for this?
AI drafts code and prototypes quickly, and we use it every day. It cannot decide what to build, prove that it is secure, or answer for it when real people rely on it. That is the part you are hiring us for.
Who owns the work?
You do. Code, designs, files and documents are yours, and the quote says so in writing.
Can we change the scope?
Yes. If something needs adding or removing, we agree it in writing before we do it.
Can we stop?
Yes. The quote states the notice period. Usage such as messages, ads or AI is charged at the rate in the quote and stops when you do.