Senior technology leadership from day one
Fully embedded leadership within days - same seat at the table as a permanent CTO. No equity, no six-month search
One role, different searches
Whether you brief an interim CTO, a CTO interim, or an interim chief technology officer - it is the same full-time executive gap, for as long as you need it
Typical triggers: departure, fundraise, M&A, crisis stabilisation, or a long search with an empty chair
What the role covers
Engagements end with a documented handoff: overlap with your permanent CTO, interview support, and context that survives the transition
The cost of operating without technology leadership isn't always visible immediately - but it compounds fast. Engineering decisions stall. Investor conversations hit a wall. The team loses direction - or growth outruns what your stack, org, and delivery rhythm can still carry without an executive owner
The seat is empty and the engineering team is waiting for direction
Investors require credible technical leadership during due diligence
Tech integration needs neutral, experienced leadership at the table
System failures, security incidents, architecture collapse - you need someone who's handled this before
They want to step back - but there's no one to step in yet
You need strategic technology leadership without a full exec package
Traffic, team size, or product scope grew fast - velocity drops, incidents creep up, and technical debt decisions need an owner at exec level, not only in sprint planning
Many funds operate without a technical layer across the portfolio - no shared standards, no unified visibility, no ability to step in fast when a company starts drifting. That gap compounds across every investment
No one owns technology across companies - no shared standards, no visibility, no way to assess risk or step in early
Hiring a full-time CTO takes months - but delivery, scaling, or technical ownership can't wait that long
Independent growth has created inconsistent tooling, duplicated cost, and limited visibility at the fund level
This is exactly the model applied in TOP Group - where shared infrastructure and practices were introduced across multiple companies.
This isn't advisory. An interim CTO steps fully into the role - with the same accountability, decision-making authority, and team access as a permanent hire
Full technical audit: codebase, infrastructure, team structure, processes, and vendor landscape - see Recon for how that assessment is structured as a timeboxed pass. Immediate issues triaged and prioritised. Quick wins identified and shipped. Engineering team stabilised with clear direction
Technology roadmap defined and communicated across the business. Engineering processes improved. Hiring gaps assessed. Board and investor communication structured. Strategic vendors evaluated or re-negotiated - that execution lane maps to Combat Missions for concentrated delivery work, or to Expedition when the mandate is longer-horizon transformation
Architecture decisions made for the next stage of growth. Permanent CTO search supported - including job spec, candidate evaluation, and structured handover. The company left in a stronger technical position than the engagement started
The three models look similar on paper but serve different needs. Understanding the difference helps you hire the right person for the right situation
| Interim CTO | Fractional CTO | Permanent CTO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Full-time, 3-12 months | Part-time, 1-3 days/week | Full-time, open-ended |
| Time to start | Few days | Often 1-2 weeks | 4-6 months |
| Team ownership | Full direct management | Partial | Full direct management |
| Equity required | No | Sometimes small | Yes, significant |
| Best for | Crisis, transition, M&A | Early stage, tight budget | Stable, scaling companies |
See how this plays out in practice - from crisis stabilisation at Wargaming to building a hosting division from zero at G-Core Labs - in the full portfolio
30-45 minutes. Understand your situation, priorities, and timeline. No obligation
A clear engagement proposal within 48 hours - scope, timeline, and commercial terms
Embedded from day one after a rapid on-ramp. First full technical assessment typically lands within the first two weeks on the ground
Clean exit with documented decisions, roadmap, and successor support
A 30-minute discovery call is enough to understand whether an interim CTO is the right fit - and what that engagement would actually look like for your company. There's no obligation and no sales process
No commitment required. Response within one business day.