Three ways to fill the role
| Full-time CTO | Fractional CTO | Interim CTO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best when | Technology is the product and needs daily leadership | You need senior decisions, not a full-time executive | The seat is empty and the work cannot wait |
| Starts | After a search | Now | Now |
| Commitment | Salary, equity and benefits | A set number of days each month | Until the full-time hire is in place |
Many founders start a search for a full-time CTO when what the business needs is the decisions a CTO makes. If that is your situation, a fractional CTO may be the whole answer.
If you do need a full-time CTO
I can still help, in three ways:
- Run the technology now. Architecture, vendors and the team are owned from the first week, so the search does not hold the business back.
- Define the role. A written description of what this CTO must own in the first year, based on your systems and your plan.
- Help you choose. Technical interviews and a plain-language read on each finalist, then a documented handover to the person you hire.
Why listen to me
I have founded, co-founded or helped lead more than 20 companies, as founder, chief operating officer and chief technology officer. I know the job from the inside, and I know what it takes to hand it to someone else. The platforms I have built for clients are documented in the case studies.
What a CTO costs
Before you set a budget, read CTO salary versus fractional CTO cost in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a recruiter?
No. I do not source candidates or take placement fees. I lead your technology while you search, and help you define the role and evaluate the people you find.
When should a company hire its first CTO?
When technology decisions are being made by whoever is closest to the problem, and those decisions are starting to cost you. See when is the right time to hire a CTO.
Do we need a CTO or a CIO?
A CTO builds what the business sells or runs on. A CIO runs the technology the business uses. See CIO versus CTO, or the fractional CIO page.
Can a fractional CTO become our full-time CTO?
That is not the plan. The aim is to leave you with a documented system and the right long-term owner, whether that is a hire or your existing team.