The questions founders actually ask.
Costs, engagement mechanics, IP, notice periods, and when a Fractional CTO is the wrong answer — covered straight, the same way I'd answer them on a call.
Frequently asked.
What does a Fractional CTO actually do?
A Fractional CTO is a senior engineering leader who owns your technical direction part-time. In practice I set architecture and the technical roadmap, lead and hire the engineering team, act as the technical counterparty for the board and investors, and stay hands-on in the codebase. It's the same accountability as a full-time CTO — outcomes, not hours — at 1–2 days per week. I work with pre-seed to Series A startups.
How much does a Fractional CTO cost in London?
London day rates sit at the top of the UK range — typically £1,000–£1,500 per day, or roughly £4k–£12k per month depending on days per week and scope. That's still a fraction of the £150k–£200k+ all-in cost of hiring a full-time CTO in London. I quote per engagement after a free discovery call, based on stage, scope, and hours.
Do you work on-site in London?
Yes. I'm based on Paul Street in Shoreditch — the heart of London's tech scene, minutes from Old Street roundabout — so for London startups I'm in the room for workshops, kickoffs, board meetings, and critical hires — and remote the rest of the week. Outside London I work remote-first across the UK and travel where it matters.
How much does a Fractional CTO cost in the UK?
Fractional CTOs in the UK typically run from roughly £800–£1,500 per day, or £4k–£12k per month depending on days per week and scope — a fraction of the £150k–£200k+ all-in cost of a full-time CTO. I don't publish a fixed rate because it depends on stage, scope, and hours; the discovery call is free and I quote on the follow-up.
When should a startup hire a Fractional CTO instead of a full-time one?
Hire fractional when you need senior technical leadership — architecture, hiring, a technical voice for investors — but can't yet justify or afford a full-time CTO. That's most pre-seed to Series A startups. It's ideal when you have 2–15 engineers (or none yet), a founder who isn't deeply technical, or a raise coming up. Once you're post-Series B and need someone in the building full-time, a Fractional CTO is the wrong fit and I'll tell you so.
What's the difference between a Fractional CTO and a technical advisor or consultant?
An advisor gives you a few hours a month of guidance and takes no ownership. A consultant delivers a scoped project and leaves. A Fractional CTO is embedded and accountable: I own technical decisions, run the team, write production code, and report to the board — I don't just advise, I build. That ownership is the difference.
Do Fractional CTOs write code?
I do — every week. Writing production code keeps the strategy honest: every architectural call I make, I'm also accountable for living with as a contributor on the same codebase. I ship in Java, TypeScript, Node, Python, and Solidity, and pair with the team on the hard problems.
How many clients do you take on at once?
Deliberately few. I only work with a handful of clients at any given time so every client gets real attention — not someone splitting their calendar eight ways. Current availability: 2 engagement slots left this quarter. Once the slots are filled, the next opening is typically 60–90 days out, so if you're weighing a call, book it now rather than later.
How does a Fractional CTO engagement work?
I embed with your team 1–2 days per week on a fixed monthly retainer. You get senior technical leadership for a fraction of a full-time CTO's cost — typically £80k–150k saved annually.
What stage companies do you work with?
Pre-seed to Series A. Usually 2–15 engineers. If you're post-Series B and need someone full-time, I'll tell you on the discovery call.
Do you publish pricing?
I publish ranges rather than a rate card: UK Fractional CTO day rates typically run £800–£1,500, with London at the top of that range. The exact quote depends on scope, stage, and days per week — the discovery call is free and I quote on the follow-up.
Are you remote or on-site?
Remote-first, UK-based. I travel on-site for workshops, kickoffs, board meetings, critical hires, and any other moment where being in the room actually matters. Expenses billed at cost.
Who owns the IP of work you produce?
You do. Standard work-for-hire terms in every engagement contract — no ambiguity, no IP carve-outs.
What's the notice period?
30 days either side after the initial 2-week assessment. No long tie-ins.
Can you do one-off technical due diligence?
Yes. 5–7 day turnaround, fixed fee, written report ready for investment committee.
Do you help founders raise?
Yes — I've run full pre-seed fundraising with founders from the inside. Contracts (SeedLegals), financial modelling, investor DD, and deal negotiation. Not as a placement agent or introducer: as the technical co-founder-equivalent who owns the workstream alongside you.
Still have a question?
Email hello@mayurkale.com and I'll reply personally — or skip the back-and-forth and ask on the discovery call. It's 30 minutes, free, and not a pitch.
Ready to scale your engineering?
Book a 30-minute discovery call. If we're not a fit, I'll tell you on the call — and point you toward someone who is.