The traditional model of technology leadership — hire a full-time CTO or VP Engineering — doesn't work for every organisation. Startups pre-Series B, mid-size companies, and organisations in transition often need strategic technology guidance without the cost and commitment of a permanent C-suite hire.
What fractional leadership looks like
A fractional CTO typically works 2-3 days per week with an organisation, providing the same strategic leadership as a full-time hire but at a fraction of the cost. They attend board meetings, set technology strategy, mentor the engineering team, and make the critical decisions that shape the company's technical direction.
When it makes sense
Fractional leadership works best in three scenarios:
Growing startups that have outgrown their founding technical team but aren't ready for a full-time CTO hire. They need someone to set the engineering culture, establish processes, and build the team — without the $400k+ salary commitment.
Organisations in transition — whether that's a leadership gap, a merger, or a strategic pivot. They need experienced leadership immediately, not in 6 months when the recruitment process concludes.
Mid-size companies that need strategic technology guidance but don't generate enough technology-specific decisions to justify a full-time senior hire.
The results speak
We've placed fractional CTOs and VPs of Engineering across dozens of organisations. The consistent feedback: they wished they'd done it sooner.