Fractional CTO - Why a Few Hours of Expertise Are Better Than a Failed Full-Time Hire

Hiring a full-time CTO is a significant commitment in terms of time and money, especially for growing startups. Yet, a bad hire can cost you dearly. What if the solution was a fractional CTO—flexible, high-value expertise?

The Myth of the "Miracle CTO": What It Really Costs You

A full-time CTO in Paris costs an average of €110,000 annually, excluding taxes. Add social charges, recruitment time (around 4 to 6 months), and the risk of a bad hire: your "miracle" CTO could cost you over €150,000 before even defining a clear roadmap.

Fractional CTO: Definition and Practical Functioning

A fractional CTO (or outsourced CTO) works a few hours or days per month, depending on your actual needs. They commit to specific deliverables and bring senior expertise at a lower cost, with maximum flexibility for your budget.

The 5 Key Deliverables in Less Than 10 Hours/Month

• A 90-day prioritized backlog
• A scalable target architecture plan
• Implementation of CI/CD processes
• A precise technical recruitment plan
• A clear KPI spreadsheet to track progress

The fractional CTO also supports your growth. They structure teams and processes to ensure smooth scaling, avoiding costly mistakes (poor agile management, underestimated technical debt, etc.).

How to Choose the Right Fractional CTO?

Choosing the right partner is crucial. Here's a quick checklist:

• Proven seniority (>10 years of experience) with a diverse background, including hyper-growth startups, technical team restructurings, and handling critical situations like technology migrations or operational crises
• Expertise in your tech stack or the ability to help you choose the right technology if your stack isn't defined yet
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts simply and effectively train your teams to quickly upskill
• Strong understanding of startup product culture, particularly the ability to iterate quickly, adapt strategies based on feedback, and focus on meaningful product improvements

Beyond the CTO: One-Off Audits and Monthly Coaching

Combining one-off technical audits with monthly coaching allows your startup to maintain a clear vision and high-performing teams continuously. Otterly offers this agile mix to cover all your tech needs without heavy commitments.

When to Transition to a Full-Time CTO?

The transition to an internal CTO mainly depends on several factors: the growing complexity of your technical infrastructure, the expansion of your development team (generally beyond 5 to 10 people), the need for a long-term strategic vision, and increased involvement in key company decisions. Typically, this becomes relevant with 2 complete squads (around 15 developers) or when your recurring revenue reaches about one million euros.

Conclusion

Choosing a Fractional CTO means optimizing your costs while securing your technical roadmap. Why take the risk of an expensive full-time hire when a few hours of expert advice might suffice?