Curated Marketplace for Fractional CTOs and Startups
The Reddit post (ID: 1l7ljtq) highlights a clear market inefficiency: startups are struggling to find fractional CTOs ("don't know where to find part-time"), and fractional CTOs, as indicated in the comments, mostly rely on "word of mouth" and "recommendations." This disconnect presents an opportunity for a dedicated solution. While platforms like Wellfound (formerly Angel.co) exist, the discussion suggests they aren't the go-to or most effective channels for this specific niche. A curated marketplace focused on connecting startups with vetted fractional CTOs could address this two-sided problem. Unlike generic freelance platforms, this SaaS would specialize in high-level fractional technical leadership, ensuring quality through a robust vetting process.
Product Form: A specialized SaaS platform where:
- Vetted Fractional CTOs: Create comprehensive profiles detailing their experience, industry expertise, specific tech stack proficiencies, availability, and engagement models.
- Startups: Can either post detailed project descriptions outlining their needs for a fractional CTO or browse and filter through the CTO profiles using criteria such as industry experience, required skills, and budget. The platform would facilitate introductions, initial consultations, and potentially offer tools for scheduling, contract templates, and secure payment processing to build a strong value proposition and moat.
Expected Revenue: Multiple revenue models could be implemented:
- Commission Model: Charging a percentage (e.g., 10-15%) of the contract value agreed between the startup and the fractional CTO for engagements sourced through the platform.
- Subscription Fee for Fractional CTOs: A monthly or annual fee (e.g., $100-$300/month) for CTOs to be listed, gain premium visibility, or access a guaranteed number of leads/introductions.
- One-time Finder's Fee: A fee paid by the startup upon successfully hiring or engaging a fractional CTO discovered through the platform. This could be a flat fee or a percentage of the initial engagement cost.
- Subscription Fee for Startups (Optional/Tiered): For premium features like dedicated support in finding a match, advanced analytics, or access to an exclusive pool of top-tier CTOs.
Origin Reddit Post
r/startups
Any Fractional CTOs here, how do you prefer to get discovered by startups? I will not promote
Posted by u/NatsuD99•06/10/2025
I’ve been talking to indie hackers and early-stage founders and fractional CTOs lately, and there’s a weird disconnect that keeps coming up. Startups often don’t know *where* to find part-tim
Top Comments
u/reidek
I think fractional CTO work is often predicated on trust, so networking seems to be the best in my experience.
And as a fCTO, I’m very picky about who I work with. Lots of companies think th
u/NatsuD99
I had this exact thought when I first got to understand what Fractional CTO means. Now i'm curious do you get more technical people who want your guidance or more non-technical people who wan
u/the-creator-platform
usually word of mouth. all early-stage launching is fun
u/mauriciocap
1. recommendations, past experience.
2. no, busy enough
3. yes, startups and SMEs
4. always enjoy launching a new product
u/Thoguth
I've served in this capacity.
In my experience, part time technical leadership is an oxymoron. We can do mentorship of others, and I am down for a lunch or a consult. And I suppose I will
u/NatsuD99
Oh ok, i think angel is called wellfound now, but I didn’t know they would post fractional cto jobs there
u/thezysus
"`i will not promote`"
I've done this kind of thing in the past. It was mostly word of mouth and sometimes places like [Angel.co](http://Angel.co) or similar.
I'll work with any company tha
u/NatsuD99
Where do you get the requests from? Like do founders approach you in linkedin, or someone in your network refers you and then they contact you? I guess i am little confused by your response r
u/NatsuD99
Thats the thing all the fractional ctos i speak with they say that get these roles through recommendations. Thanks for the crisp answer tbh.
u/dvidsilva
I guess depends on your vertical. There are communities where you pay for leads and office hours with the other members like CTOx
I go to meetups to meet founders and VCs. Is fairly good an
u/piratetone
As someone considering doing more fractional CMO work, I am sorry that the only solid answer for distribution for your brand and name is Angel.co ... I also want to know where else to look fo
u/praful_rudra
I have posted on my LinkedIn, that's where bulk of my requests come from. Although requests are super rare. Half of the requests come from VCs who want to get their founders who they funded w
u/NatsuD99
Thats the thing all the fractional ctos i speak with they say that get these roles through recommendations. Thanks for the crisp answer tbh.
u/Ambitious_Car_7118
Most of my fractional CTO gigs came from warm intros, ex founders, investors, or ex colleagues. I rarely post availability publicly (yet), but staying visible on LinkedIn with sharp, specific
u/NatsuD99
Haha, love to see a work-loving person. I think once you get to a CTO stage its really about helping someone with the idea that you resonate with.
u/NatsuD99
Thats the thing all the fractional ctos i speak with they say that get these roles through recommendations. Thanks for the crisp answer tbh.
u/jackshec
you have to understand, sometimes we get hundreds of request, so you need to stand out and make financial sense
u/jeffus
1) Word of mouth, recognition of past projects.
2) Nope, probably should--sometimes get bored with the same types of clients.
3) A mix--normally early-stage in size/sophistication but not
u/NatsuD99
I can't speak about Fractional CMO work, but I am building a platform solely for fractional CTOs to get work. Its ctonest and i am working to get companies who want fractional CTOs to post th
u/jackshec
its a combination of LInked-IN/Meetups/refers/friends with great ideas just need something to run a team of developers and tech people.....
u/nunash
Curious to hear more
u/NatsuD99
Oh ok, i think angel is called wellfound now, but I didn’t know they would post fractional cto jobs there
u/mauriciocap
1. recommendations, past experience.
2. no, busy enough
3. yes, startups and SMEs
4. always enjoy launching a new product
u/NatsuD99
I see that it's more non-tech people who need fCTOs. I was curious because I am a tech person (still young and new, building CTOnest) but there are times where i wonder if there was someone w
u/mauriciocap
Your merit: crisp questions.
I get new clients but as I'll make their success my responsibility knowing my decisions must be seen as the best 5-10 years from now it's an engagement both side
u/thezysus
"`i will not promote`"
I've done this kind of thing in the past. It was mostly word of mouth and sometimes places like [Angel.co](http://Angel.co) or similar.
I'll work with any company tha
u/ManureTaster
Same here. LinkedIn DMs is where they find me
u/Thoguth
>Now i'm curious do you get more technical people who want your guidance or more non-technical people who want your guidance?
Non-technical people. They have the wisdom to understand th
u/NatsuD99
I think there's pride in knowing that your help/decision makes such a huge impact in the lives of the company/people, do you think that's a case?
P.s. You seem like a great person, you just