Strategy · Architecture · Hiring
A Fractional CTO for Founders Who Need Tech Leadership, Not a Full-Time Salary
You need someone senior to make the big technical calls, check your vendors and talk to investors, but not 40 hours a week. Get an experienced CTO for a few days a month.
- 2–8 days a month
- Architecture and stack decisions
- Hiring and vendor reviews
- Investor and due-diligence support
Budget Snapshot
Fractional CTO
- Advisor2–3 days
- $800–1,500 / month
- Part-Time CTO4–6 days
- $1,500–3,000 / month
- Tech Audit1–2 weeks
- $500–1,500 one-time
Guide ranges. Fixed quote after a 30-minute call.
- Tech Strategy
- Hiring
- Architecture
In Short
What Does a Fractional CTO Do?
A fractional CTO is a senior technology leader who works with a company part time. They set technical direction, choose the stack, review architecture and code, hire and guide developers, manage outside agencies and represent tech in board and investor conversations. LitSpark provides a fractional CTO from Bengaluru for startups and growing businesses on monthly terms, with our engineering team available when the plan needs building.
Updated · LitSpark Solutions, Bengaluru
- Time
- 2–8 days a month
- Contract
- Monthly
- Covers
- Strategy, hiring, reviews
- Based in
- Bengaluru, works remotely
What You Get
Technical Leadership on Demand.
- 01
Tech Strategy and Roadmap
What to build, in what order, and what not to build yet.
- 02
Architecture Reviews
Spot scaling, security and cost risks before they bite.
- 03
Hiring Help
Job specs, interviews and your first engineering hires.
- 04
Vendor and Agency Oversight
Check quotes, review code and keep agencies honest.
- 05
Investor Due Diligence
Answer technical questions and prepare the data room.
- 06
Security and Compliance Basics
Access, backups and policies sorted early.
Before You Hire Part-Time Tech Leadership.
- Which decisions do you need help with?
- How many days a month?
- Will they review vendors' code?
- Can they join investor calls?
- Who owns accounts and code?
- How does the arrangement end?
How It Works
How It Works.
- 1
Intro Call
Your business, product and the decisions coming up.
- 2
Tech Audit
A first review of code, stack, vendors and risks.
- 3
Plan
A 90-day technical plan with priorities.
- 4
Monthly Rhythm
Agreed days for reviews, meetings and decisions.
- 5
Hand Over
Help hiring your full-time CTO when the time comes.
Tech Stack
Areas We Cover.
- Product
- RoadmapsBuild vs buyMVP scoping
- Engineering
- ArchitectureCode reviewsDevOps
- People
- HiringTeam structureVendor management
- Business
- BudgetsDue diligenceBoard updates
Who It's For
Companies Between Founders and a Full-Time CTO.
Non-Technical Founders
A senior partner for every tech decision.
Startups Using Agencies
Someone on your side checking the work.
Pre-Fundraise Startups
Ready for investor tech questions.
SMEs Going Digital
Leadership for a first software project.
Pricing
What Part-Time Tech Leadership Costs.
Monthly retainers based on time. Typical bands:
Need the product built too? See MVP Build.
| Package | Budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| AdvisorReviews, decisions and monthly calls. | $800–1,500 / month | 2–3 days |
| Part-Time CTOHands-on leadership and hiring. | $1,500–3,000 / month | 4–6 days |
| Tech AuditCode, stack and vendor review with a report. | $500–1,500 one-time | 1–2 weeks |
Why LitSpark
Why Founders Bring Us In.
Senior Judgement
People who have built and scaled products before.
Independent Advice
We'll recommend another vendor if they fit better.
A Team Behind Us
Designers and engineers ready if you want us to build.
Easy to Stop
Monthly terms, and we help you hire your permanent CTO.
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
An advisory arrangement of two to three days a month usually costs $800–1,500. A hands-on part-time CTO for four to six days typically costs $1,500–3,000 a month.
When does a startup need a fractional CTO?
When you are making big technical decisions, working with an agency, hiring your first developers or preparing to raise money, but can't yet justify a full-time CTO.
Is this the same as CTO as a service?
Yes, mostly. Both mean part-time, senior technical leadership on a retainer instead of a full-time hire.
Can you review the agency we already use?
Yes. Independent code, architecture and quote reviews are one of the most common things we do.
Will you build the product too?
Only if you want us to. The advice stays independent, and our team is available if you choose to build with us.
Let's talk
Talk Through Your Tech Decisions.
Book a free call. Tell us what you're deciding and we'll suggest how part-time tech leadership could help.
- Avg. response
- 24h
- Initial consult
- Free
- Satisfaction
- 100%