Founders without a technical co-founder
You need someone to own technology and product decisions so you can focus on business, sales and investors.
Fractional Leadership
Fractional CTO / CPO
I step into the company's operating rhythm and own product-tech decisions at C-level — without the full-time cost and without advisory work that ends at the slide deck.
✓Faster and better product-tech decisions
✓Predictable delivery with roadmap ownership
✓Technical and product readiness for your next funding round
In short
Fractional CTO / CPO support makes sense when a company is too early for a full-time executive, but too complex for product and technology decisions to be handled ad hoc by founders, senior developers or an external software house. This is not side-line consulting. ProLabs steps into the company's operating rhythm: roadmap, priorities, architecture, delivery, hiring, build-vs-buy decisions, metrics and communication with the board or investors.
When you need a Fractional CTO / CPO
Common signals that a company has outgrown ad-hoc product-tech decisions:
- ⚠Team grows but velocity drops — every sprint generates more planning than shipping
- ⚠A roadmap exists, but no one is held accountable for it against business KPIs
- ⚠Architecture decisions are postponed or made without clear ownership
- ⚠The CTO or founder is simultaneously tech lead, PM and recruiter — a bottleneck everywhere
- ⚠You are approaching a funding round and investors ask about tech stack, debt and scalability
- ⚠Hiring adds headcount but throughput does not improve
Who this is for
Seed-to-Series B startups
The company has traction but execution cannot keep up with growth. You need a system, not just more hands.
VC/PE portfolio companies
The fund is looking for an external operator to enter the company and deliver against round KPIs.
Companies between CTOs
Your CTO left or you cannot yet justify a full-time hire — you need continuity at the decision level.
Scale-ups with growing technical debt
Every new feature costs more and release cycles are lengthening — you need someone who sees the systemic problem.
Scope of engagement
- →Product roadmap and prioritization against KPIs and runway
- →Architecture decisions and build vs buy
- →Delivery rhythm: sprints, review, retrospectives, ownership
- →Hiring strategy for tech and product roles — definitions, interviews, assessment
- →Delivery metrics: lead time, deployment frequency, cycle time
- →Tech Due Diligence readiness — preparing the company for investor questions
- →Board and investor communication on product-tech
- →Technology governance and build vs buy vs integrate decisions
How the engagement works
- 01
Diagnosis
First 1–2 weeks: conversations with the team, review of backlog, architecture, metrics and delivery process. Identify the 3 biggest blockers.
- 02
30-day plan
Concrete changes in work rhythm, ownership and priorities. Not theory — first decisions and commitment to outcomes.
- 03
Operating rhythm
1–2 days per week in Slack, calls, sprint reviews and 1:1s with key people. I make decisions, not just recommendations.
- 04
Reporting
Monthly progress summary against KPIs for the founder and board. Transparency about what is changing and why.
- 05
Scale or handover
After 3–6 months: either we continue or I prepare the hiring of a permanent CTO/CPO with a ready-made working system.
What you receive
- ✓Delivery and roadmap diagnosis — list of 3–5 systemic blockers with a remediation plan
- ✓30/60/90 plan with owners and success metrics
- ✓Architecture Decision Records (ADR) for key technical decisions
- ✓Updated technology strategy and product-tech roadmap
- ✓Hiring plan for tech/product roles with job descriptions and assessment criteria
- ✓KPI dashboard — delivery and product metrics with baseline and targets
Metrics we improve
Lead time — from decision to production (target: 30–50% reduction)Deployment frequency — how often the company ships changesSprint predictability — percentage of committed items deliveredCycle time on key initiativesTime-to-hire for tech/product rolesRoadmap execution rate on a quarterly basis
Fractional CTO vs Interim CTO vs Technology Advisor
| Criterion | Fractional CTO | Interim CTO |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | 1–2 days/week, long-term | Full-time for 3–12 months |
| Accountability | Strategic and operational in rhythm | Full operational like a permanent CTO |
| Cost | 20–30% of full-time executive cost | Close to full-time salary + agency |
| Best fit | Scaling without a critical gap, VC-readiness | Critical gap: CTO left, exit prep |
| Equity | Rarely, retainer model | Rarely or symbolic |
| Availability | Regular, remote-first (CET timezone) | On-site or remote, intensive |
Frequently asked questions
How is a Fractional CTO different from a technology advisor?
A technology advisor provides recommendations and finishes at the document. A Fractional CTO participates in the delivery rhythm — sprints, decisions, 1:1s with engineers, hiring and investor communication. They are accountable for implementation, not just advice.
How many days per week does this require?
The standard model is 1–2 days per week. During the intensive change phase (first 4–8 weeks) this is often 2–3 days. It depends on company complexity and scope of intervention.
Can a Fractional CTO work with an existing CTO or Head of Engineering?
Yes. In many companies, the Fractional CTO works alongside an existing technical leader — complementing them at the strategic, decision-making or product level. Often it also serves as mentorship for a technical CTO who needs support with business alignment.
How long does a typical engagement last?
A minimum of 3 months — that is how long it takes to diagnose, set up the system and see first results. Most engagements run 6–18 months. Some companies opt for a permanent arrangement as strategic C-level support.
Will this replace the need to hire a full-time CTO?
In many startups at the seed-to-Series A stage — yes, for at least 12–18 months. If you plan to hire a permanent CTO, the Fractional CTO builds the operating system so the new executive has context and does not start from scratch.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
Remote-first, CET timezone. For key moments (kick-off, workshops, QBR), on-site meetings in Poland are possible. I also work with founders and VC/PE across Europe — Germany, Scandinavia, UK, the Netherlands.
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