Find a CTO Who Builds Products AND Builds Teams

A CTO typically owns technology strategy, architecture decisions, and external technical presence. They're often the technical co-founder voice. A VP of Engineering focuses on team operations, delivery processes, and engineering management. Many companies need both roles: the CTO sets direction while the VP executes. We help you determine which role (or both) you actually need.

Our average time to accepted offer is 45 days for CTO searches. The full timeline from kickoff to start date is typically 60-75 days. This is significantly faster than the 4-6 month industry average because we maintain an active network of technical leaders and pre-qualify candidates before presenting them.

Beyond technical excellence, the best CTOs demonstrate: ability to communicate with non-technical stakeholders, experience scaling teams through growth phases, a track record of shipping products (not just maintaining them), strategic thinking balanced with hands-on capability, and cultural alignment with your company values.

It depends on your stage. At seed and Series A, a coding CTO is often essential because they're your technical anchor. By Series B+, the role shifts toward architecture oversight, team building, and strategic planning. We look for CTOs who can flex between hands-on and strategic based on company needs.

Equity ranges vary significantly by stage. A CTO joining pre-Series A might expect 1-2.5%, while a Series B CTO hire might receive 0.25-0.75%. We provide detailed comp data for your specific stage and location, and help structure offers that are competitive yet sustainable.

We offer a comprehensive replacement guarantee on all CTO placements. If the executive leaves or is terminated for any reason within the guarantee period, we'll conduct a replacement search at no additional fee. Our performance guarantee ensures your technology leadership is secure.