How much does a fractional CTO cost for a non-technical founder?

Expect £3,500-£8,000/month for 1-2 days/week of fractional CTO time. Some fractional CTOs offer reduced rates plus equity for early-stage companies. This is significantly less than a technical co-founder equity grant (typically 10-25%).

What should I ask a fractional CTO before hiring?

Ask about: experience with non-technical founders, similar products they have guided, how they communicate technical concepts, their approach to vendor management, and references from other non-technical founders.

Tech Leadership

Fractional CTO for Non-Technical Founders

Technical leadership when you need it most

Overview

The Non-Technical Founder Challenge

Building a tech product without a technical co-founder is challenging but increasingly common. Non-technical founders need someone to validate technical decisions, evaluate developers, and ensure the product is built right. A fractional CTO fills this gap, providing senior technical leadership without requiring a full-time hire or giving up significant equity.

What You Get

What a Fractional CTO Provides Non-Technical Founders

detail: Advise on technology choices, architecture decisions, and build vs buy decisions. Ensure you are not over-engineering or under-investing.

service: Technical Strategy

detail: Interview and assess technical candidates. Evaluate agencies and contractors. Ensure you hire the right people.

service: Developer Evaluation

detail: Code review oversight, technical standards, and ensuring development is progressing appropriately.

service: Quality Assurance

detail: Evaluate and manage development agencies. Ensure contracts protect you. Hold vendors accountable.

service: Vendor Management

detail: Prepare for technical due diligence. Present technology credibly to investors. Build confidence in technical approach.

service: Investor Preparation

detail: Translate between technical and business language. Ensure you understand what is being built and why.

service: Translation

Engagement Model

Typical Engagement Model

Non-technical founders typically start with 0.5-1 day per week of fractional CTO time. This increases during key periods: major architecture decisions, hiring sprints, or fundraising. The fractional CTO acts as your technical advisor and quality backstop, not a replacement for day-to-day development resources.

Weekly

Architecture review, code quality check-in, team standup

Monthly

Technical roadmap review, vendor assessment, hiring pipeline review

As Needed

Major decisions, investor meetings, crisis response

Warning Signs

Warning Signs You Need a Fractional CTO

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you need technical leadership somehow. Options: fractional CTO, technical advisor with equity, or development agency with strong technical lead. Fractional CTO is often optimal: experienced guidance without large equity grants.

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