Top 11 Fractional CTOs to Hire in 2026
The best fractional CTOs bring senior tech leadership without the full-time cost. If you're scaling fast, navigating a platform decision, or trying to close a technical gap on your leadership team, the right fractional CTO can change your trajectory. This guide covers top candidates to consider, what to look for, and how to find the best fit for your specific stage and needs.
Top 11 Fractional CTOs
Below are the profiles of the top fractional CTOs, covering who they are and the impact they've made in this space.
Ross Boardman
Ross Boardman is founder and CEO of Boardman, a fractional technology leadership firm, and a veteran CTO with more than 25 years leading technology teams through rapid growth, scaling, and IPOs.
Boardman…
Ross Boardman is founder and CEO of Boardman, a fractional technology leadership firm, and a veteran CTO with more than 25 years leading technology teams through rapid growth, scaling, and IPOs.
Boardman has taken three startups to IPO and now advises leaders on technology, AI, product, and scaling. His work combines board-level judgment with hands-on experience building teams and systems, a practical model for fractional CTO leadership.
Ganesh Kompella
Ganesh Kompella founded Kompella Technologies, where he works as a fractional CTO and CPO and has more than 18 years of software engineering, product strategy, and executive experience.
His fractional work centers…
Ganesh Kompella founded Kompella Technologies, where he works as a fractional CTO and CPO and has more than 18 years of software engineering, product strategy, and executive experience.
His fractional work centers on architecture, hiring, product direction, and executive accountability for startups and growth companies. Kompella writes about the role as ongoing ownership of technology outcomes rather than occasional technical advice.
Marc Adler
Marc Adler runs CTO as a Service, drawing on decades of experience as a CTO, chief architect, engineering manager, and developer at companies including Citigroup, MetLife, ADP, and XP Investments.
Adler helps…
Marc Adler runs CTO as a Service, drawing on decades of experience as a CTO, chief architect, engineering manager, and developer at companies including Citigroup, MetLife, ADP, and XP Investments.
Adler helps companies plan their technology, build development teams, create prototypes, review technical investments, and guide product development. His fractional CTO work is shaped by experience leading both large technology organizations and startup engineering teams.
Kathy Keating
Kathy Keating is a technology strategist, executive coach, board-certified director, and four-time founder with more than three decades of experience building and advising technology organizations.
Keating advises CEOs, CTOs, and boards on…
Kathy Keating is a technology strategist, executive coach, board-certified director, and four-time founder with more than three decades of experience building and advising technology organizations.
Keating advises CEOs, CTOs, and boards on technology strategy, governance, growth, and leadership. She co-created CTO Levels and co-wrote Liquid: How CEOs & CTOs Unlock Flow and Momentum in Complex Systems, using a systems-based approach to help technology leaders manage complex organizations.
Elliott Garcea
Elliott Garcea is a fractional CPTO and AI technology consultant who co-founded 10KC and led its engineering for 11 years before the company was acquired in a $100 million transaction in 2025.
…
Elliott Garcea is a fractional CPTO and AI technology consultant who co-founded 10KC and led its engineering for 11 years before the company was acquired in a $100 million transaction in 2025.
Garcea now gives founders senior technical leadership across AI product strategy, architecture, roadmaps, hiring, and board preparation. His operator background helps early-stage companies make consequential technology decisions before they need a full-time CTO.
Rick Cabrera
Rick Cabrera is chief technology officer and principal consultant at Zero to 1 Experts. He has more than 25 years of experience launching, scaling, and transforming complex software products.
Cabrera works across…
Rick Cabrera is chief technology officer and principal consultant at Zero to 1 Experts. He has more than 25 years of experience launching, scaling, and transforming complex software products.
Cabrera works across product strategy, architecture, AI, software delivery, and executive technology advising. His background includes major initiatives at Dell, Univision, and Verizon, plus startup building, giving founders access to both enterprise and early-stage operating experience.
Don Bora
Don Bora is co-founder and technology principal at Eight Bit Studios, where he leads fractional CTO work. He has more than 35 years of software engineering and technology leadership experience.
Bora has…
Don Bora is co-founder and technology principal at Eight Bit Studios, where he leads fractional CTO work. He has more than 35 years of software engineering and technology leadership experience.
Bora has worked across enterprise engineering, startups, AI, mobile products, and founder mentoring. As a fractional CTO, he combines strategic guidance with hands-on technical expertise. He helps growing companies make decisions about architecture, product development, and scaling.
Mario Meyer
Mario Meyer founded Reyem Tech, where he works as a fractional CTO after more than 25 years leading digital transformation, platform development, and technology strategy across multiple industries.
Meyer helps startups and…
Mario Meyer founded Reyem Tech, where he works as a fractional CTO after more than 25 years leading digital transformation, platform development, and technology strategy across multiple industries.
Meyer helps startups and SMBs connect technology strategy with execution, from architecture and software delivery to AI adoption and digital transformation. He uses his experience leading large teams and projects to provide practical support as a fractional CTO.
Davor Majc
Davor Majc is founder of Numen and a fractional CTO and technical architect who works across software development, infrastructure, and business strategy for startups and growing companies.
Majc has served as an…
Davor Majc is founder of Numen and a fractional CTO and technical architect who works across software development, infrastructure, and business strategy for startups and growing companies.
Majc has served as an early technical leader and fractional CTO for funded startups, including work spanning crypto custody, workforce SaaS, AI tools, and automation. He stays close to implementation, pairing executive technology decisions with architecture and code.
Troy Busot
Troy Busot is a fractional CTO and founder with decades of experience in product strategy, software development, and technology leadership, including building and launching digital products.
Busot works with startups and smaller…
Troy Busot is a fractional CTO and founder with decades of experience in product strategy, software development, and technology leadership, including building and launching digital products.
Busot works with startups and smaller companies on technical direction, high-performing teams, scalable systems, MVPs, and product-market fit. His experience as a technology founder and CTO helps him guide both product planning and execution.
Melissa Young
Melissa Young is a fractional CTO and technology leader who has taken an active role in the CTO community, including chairing CTO Craft Con Toronto and speaking on AI and engineering leadership.
…
Melissa Young is a fractional CTO and technology leader who has taken an active role in the CTO community, including chairing CTO Craft Con Toronto and speaking on AI and engineering leadership.
Young shares practical insights on AI adoption, engineering leadership, project delivery, and managing technology changes. Her experience as a conference leader and technology professional helps her understand the decisions modern engineering teams face.
Selection Methodology
I selected the leaders on this list based on their relevance, demonstrated expertise and impact, professional credibility, and ongoing contributions to the field.
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I look for evidence such as leading meaningful initiatives or delivering notable results within their organizations, developing influential ideas or practices, publishing research or educational resources, speaking or teaching, and other contributions that demonstrate impact within their work or the broader field.
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