·Official Partner Network MemberYou Tried Building with AI.
You Hit the Messy Part.
The demo worked. Then reality hit. Edge cases, broken integrations, systems that create more work than they save. I finish what your team or your last vendor couldn't — and ship production code you own.
For mid-market operations companies ($10M–$100M) finishing AI experiments, replacing SaaS stacks, and shipping production systems you own.
- Consulting fees credited toward build
- You own the code
- Fixed-scope pricing
Retainer
Forward-Deployed Fractional AI CTO · $3,500/mo
Strategy plus shipping production systems. Or start with a free call → $999 triage → fixed-scope build (fees credited).
How It Works
Three steps. No surprises.
Free call first. If we're aligned, $999 Systems Triage, a $3,500/mo retainer, or a fixed-scope build — every consulting dollar credits toward delivery.
Step 1
Free Discovery Call
30 minutes
Understand your biggest operational friction. Honest read on whether we can help — written summary either way.
Book a Free CallStep 2
$999 Systems Triage
After we align · 5 business days
Recorded walkthrough, prioritized punch list, and review call. Invoiced after the free call. $999 credited toward your build.
Book a Call to StartStep 3
Fixed-Scope Build
You own the code
- Consulting fee credited in full
- Production systems shipped in weeks
- Voice agents, dashboards, automations
- Direct access — no layers
Your AI CTO
Ryan Badger
I'm the One on the Call.
And the One Shipping the Code.
AI-native architect with 20B+ tokens of real production work (Cursor 2025 year-in-review). I don't just advise. I design, build, and maintain the systems myself. Retainers from $3,500/mo.
No middle management. No translation layers. You work directly with an architect who has 12+ years of high-scale engineering experience.
Real Results
Different businesses. Same operational problems.
Field Service
If you don't answer the phone, your competitor will. Speed to lead wins in field service.
Miss the Call, Lose the Job
→ Live at DispatchNode.com. Built by one engineer, zero outside capital.
Visit live siteManufacturing
$350K SaaS saved
80% less data entry · owned ERP
Logistics
$210K/yr SaaS tax cut
34% route efficiency · zero dispatch errors
Construction
75% software cost cut
Offline-first field sync · 100% adoption
Want results like these in your operation?
Book a Free 30-Min CallCompare Your Options
Why This Model Works
| Dimension | Full-Time Hire | Dev Shop | SaaS Tools | Slickrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $25K-$40K+ | $15K-$50K/proj | $2K-$10K+ | Fixed Scope |
| You Own Everything | Depends | Depends | Never | Always |
| Maintenance | Yes | Extra $$ | Vendor dep. | Included |
| Ramp-up Time | 3-6 months | 2-4 weeks | Instant | 1-2 weeks |
| Exit Risk | High | Medium | High (lock-in) | None |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from a dev shop or traditional fractional CTO?
Most dev shops deliver and disappear. Most fractional CTOs only advise. I do both. I design the strategy and ship the actual systems. You get one accountable partner who stays embedded.
What does "you own everything" actually mean?
You own all code, infrastructure, data, and IP. No per-user fees, no licensing, no lock-in. Walk away anytime with everything.
Can I start smaller?
Yes. Start with a free 30-minute call. If Systems Triage is the right next step, we invoice $999 after we align — credited in full toward your fixed-scope build.
We already tried building with AI and it didn't work.
That's the most common starting point. Most AI projects stall on the last 10%—security, edge cases, reliability. I finish those and stay involved so it actually works in production.
Typical timeline to see results?
Most clients see their first working system within 3-5 weeks. Within a few months, you typically have 2-3 production systems live and a clear operating rhythm.
Your next step
Let's talk about your operations.
Free 30-minute discovery call. No pitch, no obligation. If we're a fit, we'll scope the right next step — triage or build.
Book a Free 30-Min CallAlready spoke with us? $999 Systems Triage →