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Technical due diligence
Independent assessment of software and the development team for investors, acquisitions and refinancing. Discreet, under NDA, within weeks.
Services · Fractional CTO / AI lead
Technology leadership without a full-time CTO
For companies with 10–80 people that run on software but have nobody who manages technology and is accountable for it.
What you are dealing with
Technology decisions are made by whoever has time
The choice of a system, vendor or architecture falls to the managing director or the most senior developer. Nobody sees the whole picture and nobody owns the decision.
Your vendor can tell you anything and you cannot check it
You receive proposals, estimates and technical arguments you cannot assess. You do not know whether you are paying for good work or for excuses.
Everyone is trying AI, nobody is managing it
Developers use AI tools each in their own way. There are no rules on what may be sent outside the company, and nobody knows whether it actually makes the team faster.
What a fractional CTO does and does not do
A fractional CTO is accountable for technology just like a full-time CTO. The difference is time: instead of five days a week, they usually work for your company one day a week. That is enough for decision-making, leading people and overseeing vendors. It is not enough for day-to-day programming, and that is not the goal.
Typical responsibilities:
- Strategy and roadmap: what to build, what to buy, what to switch off and in which order.
- People: leading developers, setting up processes, hiring and onboarding.
- Vendors: selection, independent review of proposals, checking delivered work.
- Architecture: designing new systems and making decisions about existing ones.
- AI in development and operations: choosing tools, setting rules on what may be sent to AI, and measuring the benefit.
- Reporting: management receives a regular summary in plain language, without technical jargon.
What a fractional CTO does not do: replace your development team or write most of the code. When something needs to be built quickly, we handle it as a separate engagement, for example an MVP in 14 days.
How the engagement works
We start with a technical audit. Only then do we define the roadmap and the scope of ongoing work. The engagement then runs as a monthly retainer with a fixed, agreed number of days and a notice period, so you know what to expect and can end it at any time.
If the company later grows to need a full-time CTO, we help you choose one and hand over the agenda, including documentation. The goal is not to make you dependent on us, but to set up technology so that it works without us.
What you get
- Initial technical audit with a report on the state of systems, team and vendors
- Technology strategy and roadmap for the next quarter to year
- Leading developers, setting up processes and help with hiring
- Vendor selection and oversight, independent review of proposals and estimates
- Design and review of the architecture of new and existing systems
- Bringing AI into development and operations, including rules for safe use
- Regular reporting to management in plain language
How it works
week 1
Initial consultation
We discuss where the company stands, what holds it back and what you expect from technology leadership. We agree on the scope of the engagement.
weeks 2–4
Technical audit
We review systems, code, team, vendors and costs. The output is a report with risks and priorities.
by the end of month 1
Roadmap and priorities
The audit turns into a roadmap approved by management. You know what will happen and why.
from month 2, ongoing
Ongoing leadership
We work within a fixed, agreed number of days each month. Management receives a regular report.
Who it is for
- Companies with 10–80 people whose operations or product run on software
- Companies with in-house developers but no technical lead
- Companies that outsource development and need someone on their side of the table
- Management that wants to introduce AI into development in a controlled and safe way
Who it is not for
- Companies that are only looking for one more developer
- Large organisations with their own IT department and a full-time CTO
- Projects where technology accountability is meant to exist only on paper
Why work with us
The full SDLC in one pair of hands
Michal Czerník manages development from analysis through architecture and coding to operations. He sees connections that a specialist in a single area would miss.
Experience leading teams and as a CTO
He leads development teams and has experience in the CTO role. He knows how to hire people, set up processes and talk to company management.
AI in development from daily practice
He builds applications himself with AI-assisted development in Claude Code. Introducing AI into your team is based on proven everyday work, not on slide decks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fractional CTO?
A fractional CTO is a part-time chief technology officer. They carry the same responsibility as a CTO but work for the company only a set number of days per month.
How much time does a fractional CTO give the company?
Typically one day a week, with the exact number of days agreed in advance. The scope can be adjusted each quarter as needed.
How is the engagement paid for?
The engagement runs as a monthly retainer with a fixed number of days and a notice period. We go through the specific terms in a free initial consultation.
Why do you start with an audit?
Without an audit, the roadmap would rest on assumptions. The audit shows the real state of systems, team and vendors and gives management a basis for decisions.
Can you help us hire developers?
Yes, we prepare the role profile, run technical interviews and help onboard new people. The final hiring decision stays with you.
Do you also work with an external development vendor?
Yes, we represent your interests towards the vendor. We review proposals, estimates, architecture and the quality of delivered work.
What does the AI lead role mean?
An AI lead manages how the company uses AI in development and operations. They set up the tools and rules for safe use and track whether AI really speeds up the work.
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