Fractional CTOs tell you what to build.
I build it with you.

A fractional CTO gives you strategy — roadmaps, architecture docs, tech stack recommendations. But if you're a solo founder with an AI-built prototype, you don't need a roadmap. You need someone who will open a PR.

Talk to someone who ships

TL;DR

Fractional CTOs are strategic advisors. They charge $150–$300/hr or $10K–$25K/month retainers— sometimes plus 1–2% equity. They produce roadmaps, architecture diagrams, and hiring recommendations. They don't typically write production code or handle App Store submissions.

A technical cofounder does the strategy AND the implementation. Same senior engineering expertise, but the deliverable is a shipped product — not a PDF. You get PRs to review, not slide decks to read.

If you already have a development team and need someone to lead them, hire a fractional CTO. If you need someone to do the work— fix the auth, ship the payments, get past App Store review — that's a different role entirely.

Fractional CTO vs. technical cofounder

	Fractional CTO	VibeCofounder
Primary deliverable	Strategy documents, roadmaps, architecture reviews	Working code. PRs you review. Shipped features.
Typical engagement	10–25 hrs/week retainer, ongoing advisory	Scoped project: specific problems, clear finish line
Codes in your repo	Rarely. May pair with your devs but doesn't ship features	That's the job. Every engagement produces merged PRs.
App Store submission	May advise on compliance. Won't handle provisioning	End-to-end: profiles, certs, submission, appeal if needed
Handles auth/payments/infra	Recommends approach. Your team implements	Designs AND implements. You review the PRs.
Pricing	$150–$300/hr, often + equity, monthly retainer	Free intro call → fixed scope + fixed price. No retainer.
Who it's best for	Founders with a team who need technical leadership	Solo founders who need someone to DO the hard 20%

Different tools for different stages

Fractional CTO

Best when: You have a dev team and need leadership

Does: Roadmaps, architecture reviews, hiring, investor prep

Cost: $150–$300/hr or $10K–$25K/mo

Technical Cofounder

Best when: You have an AI prototype and need to ship

Does: Code, PRs, App Store submissions, infrastructure, payments

Cost: Scoped pricing. No retainer.

Full-Time CTO

Best when: You're post-Series A with 10+ engineers

Does: Culture, hiring, org design, long-term tech vision

Cost: $230K–$380K/yr + equity + benefits

Strategy is cheap. Shipping is the hard part.

Book a free intro call