The math behind the monthly number
Fractional CTOs price in days or hours, not retainers. Monthly cost is a function of three variables: day rate, days per week, and weeks per month worked.
- 2 days/week at €1,200/day: ~€10,400/month
- 3 days/week at €1,500/day: ~€19,500/month
- 4 days/week at €2,000/day: ~€34,700/month
What changes the number
- Seniority: an ex-Series B CTO charges 40–60% more than a mid-career VP Engineering
- Stack scarcity: AI/ML, embedded, and regulated-industry experience commands premiums
- Geography: UK and DACH 20–30% above Iberia and Eastern Europe
- Time-bound urgency: post-CTO-exit or pre-fundraise engagements typically pay 15–25% premium
What's included
- Architectural review and decisions
- Engineering hiring (typically 2–3 senior hires during the engagement)
- Board-level technical reporting
- Investor due diligence support
- Vendor and tooling decisions
What's not included
- Day-to-day individual contribution (writing production code)
- Sprint-level management of engineers
- 24/7 on-call coverage
Total cost of ownership
A 6-month fractional CTO engagement at €15,000/month totals €90,000, roughly one-third the loaded cost of a full-time CTO hire in London or Berlin (around €280,000 fully loaded for the same 6 months at €250k base + equity + benefits).
