FRACTIONAL CTO LEADERSHIP
Fractional AI CTO for startups moving from prototype to production
Most funded non-technical founders waste 6 to 12 months and $300K or more on the wrong engineer, the wrong MVP scope, or the wrong AI stack — not because they made bad decisions, but because no one told them what good looks like. A fractional AI CTO brings VP of Engineering-level judgment to your company at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire, during the window when the decisions you make will matter most.
WHAT A FRACTIONAL AI CTO DOES FOR YOU
The decisions that matter most, made well.
Scopes your MVP so you build the right thing at the right scale
Selects your AI stack: models, frameworks, observability, cost controls
Defines your first engineering hires and runs technical interviews
Puts lightweight process in place before you need it
Gives you board-defensible answers to technical questions
Makes sure you are not building something you will have to rip out at Series A
WHO YOU ARE WORKING WITH
John Moore, Fractional CTO.
John Moore has 20+ years of VP of Engineering and CTO-track experience across fintech, insurance, media, and retail. He has built and inherited engineering organizations at every stage, which means he has seen what founders do wrong and exactly how to avoid it. He publishes Grounded AI, a weekly no-hype AI briefing, and advises founders on AI architecture and governance.
WHEN A FRACTIONAL AI CTO IS THE RIGHT MOVE
The right fit, honestly described.
Good fit
You are pre-seed to Series A, have funding but no technical co-founder, are building an AI product or AI-enabled product, and need senior judgment without a full-time CTO salary.
Not the right fit
You need a full-time engineering leader starting immediately, you have a large team that needs daily management, or you are pre-idea and not yet funded.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What founders ask us most.
What is the difference between a fractional CTO and a technical advisor?
A technical advisor gives opinions. A fractional CTO makes decisions, owns outcomes, and is accountable for the quality of your technical strategy. They also have skin in the game — their reputation is on the line alongside yours.
How much does a fractional AI CTO cost compared to a full-time CTO?
A full-time CTO at a seed-stage startup typically costs $200K to $350K per year in salary and equity. A fractional CTO engagement runs $8K to $20K per month depending on scope and hours, with no equity required. For most pre-Series A companies, the math is straightforward.
What does the first 90 days look like?
Month one is a technical audit and strategy alignment — we map what you have, what you need, and what the risks are. Month two is build: we scope the MVP, select the stack, and start the hiring process. Month three is stabilization — we put process in place, run the first engineering reviews, and make sure the team can operate independently.
Do you only work with AI companies?
No. We work with any funded startup building a product that includes AI components — which in 2026 is most funded startups. If you are building a product where AI is incidental, we can still help, but our deepest value is for teams where AI is a core part of the architecture.
Not sure if you need a fractional CTO right now?
Take our free AI Production Readiness Assessment to see where your biggest technical gaps are, or book a 30-minute call with John directly.