Frequently Asked Questions

A Fractional CTO is an experienced technology executive who provides part-time strategic leadership to companies that need CTO-level expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Unlike consultants who advise from the outside, a Fractional CTO embeds with your team, makes decisions, and is accountable for technology outcomes. This model is ideal for startups and scale-ups that need senior technical leadership but aren't ready for a full-time executive - or when the existing leadership team needs support to grow, adapt, or evolve with the next phase of growth.

UK fractional CTO services typically range from £2,000-£10,000 per month on retainer, or £150-£350 per hour. This represents 60-70% savings compared to a full-time CTO salary of £130,000-£180,000 annually. At 941 Consulting, our plans range from £2,499 to £9,599 per month, providing transparent pricing that allows you to budget effectively.

Consider a Fractional CTO when: - You're a non-technical founder building a tech product - You're pre-seed to Series B and need technical leadership but can't justify a full-time CTO salary - You're preparing for technical due diligence ahead of fundraising or M&A - You need to build or restructure your engineering team - You're facing critical technology decisions (architecture, stack, vendors) - Your current technology isn't scaling with your business growth

A full-time CTO is dedicated 100% to your company, typically earning £150,000-£300,000+ annually plus equity. A Fractional CTO provides the same strategic expertise at a fraction of the cost, working with your company 1-4 days per week. For many early-stage companies, a Fractional CTO provides the right level of senior leadership while being more cost-effective. As your company grows, you can transition to a full-time CTO when the scale justifies it.

An interim CTO is typically a full-time, temporary replacement for a departing CTO, usually lasting 3-6 months until a permanent hire is made. A fractional CTO is a permanent part-time arrangement, working 1-4 days per week on an ongoing basis. Interim CTOs often focus on maintaining status quo, while fractional CTOs drive strategic initiatives and can work with a company for years.

The key difference is accountability for results. Consultants typically provide recommendations and reports, then move on. A Fractional CTO is an embedded member of your leadership team who: - Takes ownership of technology strategy and execution - Leads and manages your engineering team directly - Makes decisions and is accountable for outcomes - Attends board meetings and investor calls - Stays engaged over months or years, not just weeks It's about the consequences - being action-oriented and accountable for the results, not just providing advice. Think of a consultant as an advisor, and a Fractional CTO as a hands-on leader who shares responsibility for your success.

Engagement typically ranges from 1 to 4 days per week, depending on your needs: - 1 day/week: Strategic oversight, monthly planning, team mentoring - 2 days/week: Active involvement in roadmap, architecture decisions, hiring - 3-4 days/week: Deep engagement, leading major initiatives or transformations Most clients start with 1-2 days per week and adjust based on project phases and priorities.

It depends on the company's needs and the fractional CTO's engagement level. Generally, fractional CTOs focus on strategy, architecture, and leadership rather than day-to-day coding. However, they may review code, prototype solutions, or contribute to critical technical decisions that require hands-on technical work. The primary value is in leadership and strategic direction, not code production.

Absolutely. A fractional CTO adds significant credibility during fundraising by: - Presenting technical strategy to investors - Answering technical due diligence questions - Preparing investor-ready documentation - Validating product roadmaps and technical feasibility - Demonstrating senior leadership capability Having experienced technical leadership (especially one with a successful exit) signals to investors that you're serious about execution.

I have deep expertise in: - E-commerce & Retail Tech: Built platforms handling millions of transactions - Media & Entertainment Tech: Founded Utelly (acquired by Synamedia), built content discovery and recommendation systems for major broadcasters - Fashion Tech: Co-founded Fit Collective, built ML-powered sizing solutions I also work with startups in SaaS, marketplaces, and B2B tech. My technical expertise (AI/ML, data platforms, API architecture) transfers across industries.

Engagements typically last 6-24 months, though some continue for years. The duration depends on company stage and needs: - Pre-seed: 3-6 months to establish foundation - Seed/Series A: 12-18 months through scaling phase - Growth: Ongoing as long as the model works There's no lock-in - most engagements are month-to-month after an initial commitment.

Yes, most fractional CTOs work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement. Modern tools make remote leadership highly effective: - Video calls for strategy sessions and team meetings - Async communication via Slack or Teams - Collaborative tools for roadmapping and documentation - Periodic on-site visits for team building and critical decisions I work with UK and French companies remotely, with on-site time as needed for important milestones.

I help companies identify and implement practical AI automation opportunities: - AI Strategy: Cutting through the hype to find real ROI opportunities - ML Product Development: Building recommendation systems, predictive models, and intelligent automation - AI Integration: Implementing LLMs, computer vision, and other AI capabilities into existing products - MLOps: Setting up infrastructure for training, deploying, and monitoring ML models - Automation Design Sprints: 1-4 day workshops to identify and prototype automation opportunities With 25+ years in tech and hands-on AI/ML experience, I help you avoid expensive mistakes and focus on what actually works.

Yes, this is one of my core services. Having been through acquisitions from both sides (as a founder being acquired and as part of the acquiring company), I help companies: - Assess and document your current technology landscape - Identify and address technical debt and risks - Prepare architecture documentation and roadmaps - Coach your team on what investors/acquirers look for - Participate in due diligence calls and answer technical questions Proper preparation can significantly impact your valuation and deal success.

The process is simple: 1. Book a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your situation 2. I'll assess your needs and propose an engagement model 3. We start with a defined scope - often a technology assessment or strategy sprint 4. Based on results, we can continue with ongoing Fractional CTO engagement There's no long-term commitment required upfront. Let's talk and see if there's a fit.