Fractional CTO
Fractional CTO Services in Vancouver
Many companies reach a point where technology decisions carry real business risk, but a full-time chief technology officer is not yet justified. A fractional CTO gives you senior technical judgement for the hours and the stage you actually need.
Overview
We work alongside founders and leadership teams to set technical direction, review architecture, guide engineers and vendors, and make sure what gets built can be operated, secured, and scaled.
Who it's for
- Non-technical founders without a technical co-founder
- Startups preparing to build or rebuild an MVP
- Growing companies whose engineering has outpaced its leadership
- Organizations between full-time CTOs
Capabilities
- Technology strategy and roadmap
- Architecture review and governance
- Engineering leadership and team structure
- Hiring support and technical interviews
- Vendor and agency selection and oversight
- Build vs. buy decisions
- Security and technical risk management
- Cloud cost visibility and control
- Board and investor technology communication
Approach
How we work
- 01
Assess
Understand the business, the product, current systems, team, vendors, and the decisions waiting to be made.
- 02
Prioritize
Identify the few technical decisions and risks that matter most at this stage, and agree on a practical roadmap.
- 03
Lead
Provide ongoing direction: architecture decisions, engineering practices, hiring, and vendor accountability.
- 04
Transition
Build the capability, documentation, and people so that leadership can eventually move in-house.
Things to consider
Fractional vs. full-time
A fractional CTO suits companies that need senior decisions more than daily management. When engineering headcount and complexity grow, a full-time leader often becomes the better choice — and we help plan that transition.
Engagement shape
Engagements are scoped around your needs, typically a defined number of days per month with a clear set of priorities, reviewed regularly.
Questions
Common questions
What does a fractional CTO do?
- A fractional CTO provides senior technology leadership on a part-time basis. The work covers technology strategy, architecture, engineering direction, vendor oversight, hiring support, and a practical roadmap. It concentrates on decisions that carry business risk, rather than day-to-day management of a large team.
When should a startup hire a fractional CTO?
- Hire a fractional CTO when technology decisions are material to the business and a full-time chief technology officer is not yet justified. Common moments include building or rebuilding a product without a technical co-founder, engineering that has outgrown its leadership, or a gap between full-time CTOs. The role is there to make those decisions with you, not to substitute for the engineers who do the building.
How is a fractional CTO engagement structured?
- Engagements are scoped around an agreed set of priorities and a defined amount of time each month. Typical work moves from an assessment of the product, systems, team, and vendors into ongoing direction on architecture, hiring, and vendor accountability. Priorities are reviewed regularly so the time stays on what matters at the current stage.
How do you transition from a fractional CTO to a full-time CTO?
- Plan the transition when engineering headcount, system complexity, or the need for daily leadership outgrows a part-time role. A fractional engagement should leave a roadmap, documentation, and hiring support so a full-time leader can take over cleanly. We help define what the incoming CTO should own first, and stay only as long as that handoff needs.
Related insight
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Next step
Ready to talk about fractional cto?
Tell us about the problem, the stage you're at, and what's at stake. We'll respond with an honest view of how we can help.