Engineering
Strategy
On Demand.
You don't need a full-time CTO. You need a Fractional Architect who can set the foundation, hire the right people, and prevent the million-dollar mistakes before they happen.
Due Diligence
For investors and founders. We audit codebases, architecture, and team capabilities to assess technical risk before funding or acquisition.
Hiring & Vetting
We design technical interviews and vet candidates. Stop hiring resume-padders; hire engineers who can actually ship.
Stack Selection
"Should we use Microservices?" Probably not. We help you choose the boring, scalable technology that fits your stage (Next.js, Postgres, Redis).
Scale Strategy
Preparing for Series A? We implement the CI/CD pipelines, testing harnesses, and infrastructure as code (IaC) needed to scale multiple teams.
Interim Leadership
Acting as your head of engineering while you search for the permanent role. We keep the ship moving and the standards high.
How It Works
Engagement is flexible. Most clients start with a Tactical Sprint to solve a specific problem, then move to a monthly Advisory Retainer.
- 1
The Audit
We tear apart your repo and process. You get a brutally honest report.
- 2
The Blueprint
We define the technical roadmap for the next 6-12 months.
- 3
The Oversignt
Weekly code reviews and strategy syncs to keep your team on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fractional CTO do for a startup?
A fractional CTO provides executive-level engineering leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. At Slickrock.dev, this includes: technical due diligence for investors, stack selection and architecture decisions, hiring and vetting engineering candidates, setting CI/CD pipelines and development standards, and providing weekly code reviews. Advisory retainers start at $2,500/month.
How is a fractional CTO different from hiring a dev agency?
A fractional CTO sets strategy and builds infrastructure. A dev agency builds features. At Slickrock.dev, the fractional CTO model means you get a Top 0.5% architect who audits your codebase, defines your technical roadmap, vets your hires, and ensures your engineering org scales without accumulating the tech debt that kills growth-stage startups.
When should a startup hire a fractional CTO instead of a full-time CTO?
Hire a fractional CTO when you need technical leadership but cannot justify a $250K-$400K/year full-time salary. This is typically pre-Series A startups, companies preparing for due diligence, or non-technical founders who need an architect to set the foundation. Slickrock.dev fractional CTO engagements cost 10-20% of a full-time CTO salary while delivering the critical early-stage architecture decisions.