Every startup reaches a point where engineering decisions have strategic consequences. A fractional CTO provides senior leadership without the $250K-400K annual cost.
What They Do
Product architecture, team structure, vendor evaluation, tech due diligence, security direction. 10-20 hours/week focused on high-leverage decisions.
Pricing
$5,000-$20,000/month depending on involvement and complexity. Compare to $200K-400K+ full-time.
When You Need One
Preparing for funding, scaling from MVP, transitioning to a team, evaluating a pivot, or managing technical debt.
How to Evaluate
Look for direct experience with your stack and industry. Evaluate communication skills — they must translate technical complexity into business language.