Are you an early-stage founder facing critical first tech decisions, needing to build a robust MVP, or wondering how to hire your initial dev team? Or are you leading a scaling startup where your current tech is creaking under pressure, your team needs senior mentorship, and you lack the strategic oversight to navigate rapid growth?
GrassEqual understands the unique pressures and opportunities your startup faces. Based in Calgary, Alberta, we provide flexible, part-time Fractional CTO services to startups across North America, giving you the C-suite technical expertise you need, precisely when it matters most.
Why Your Startup Needs a Fractional CTO Now
Whether you're laying the first bricks or rapidly adding new floors, a Fractional CTO provides critical advantages:
For Early-Stage Innovators
Build it Right, From Day One
Get expert guidance on foundational architecture, tech stack selection, and MVP scoping to avoid costly missteps.
Attract Top Talent
We help define technical roles and assist in hiring your first key developers.
Investor Confidence
Present a clear, credible technology strategy that reassures investors.
For Scaling Startups
Navigate Growth Pains
Overcome technical debt, evolve your architecture for scale, and ensure your platform can handle increasing demand.
Empower Your Team
Provide senior mentorship and leadership to your existing developers or tech lead.
Strategic Roadmapping
Refine your technology roadmap to align with your business expansion and future funding rounds.
Why GrassEqual? Your Startup's Strategic Tech Ally
Partnering with GrassEqual means embedding pragmatic, results-driven technical leadership directly into your startup.
Flexible Engagement, Transparent Startup-Friendly Pricing
We tailor monthly retainer engagements to your startup's specific stage, needs, and budget.
For example, a common starting point for some clients is $3,500 for 20 hours of dedicated support per month, but this is always adjusted to your unique requirements.
Enjoy predictable costs and the freedom to scale our involvement with just 30-days' notice – no rigid, long-term contracts.
Deep Startup & Software Experience
Leverage over 25 years in the software development industry, including direct experience as a Team Lead, Tech Lead, CTO, and in other senior technical roles within dynamic environments. We understand the startup journey from ideation through to scaling.
North American Reach, Calgary-Based Advantage
While we serve startups across North America, our Calgary, Alberta base provides a convenient hub for real-time collaboration. We integrate seamlessly via Slack, Teams, or Zoom.
Action-Oriented & Future-Focused
We prioritize your most critical technical needs for immediate progress, while always building a robust, long-term technology strategy that supports your ambitious growth and future innovations.
Access Top-Tier Expertise
Benefit from highly experienced, C-suite level technology leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
Immediate Strategic Impact & Reduced Risk
Get rapid, expert guidance to make sound technology decisions.
When we partner with you, you can be confident you're getting our complete dedication and expertise to help you succeed.
Our Straightforward Path to Your Startup's Tech Success
We provide a clear, collaborative process to rapidly integrate expert leadership into your startup.
Free Discovery Call (Your Startup "Tech Huddle")
Let's connect for a complimentary 45-60 minute consultation via Zoom (or in-person if you're in Calgary). Share your startup's vision, current tech challenges, and goals. It's a no-pressure way for us to understand your needs and for you to see if we're the right fit.
Rapid Assessment & Strategic Roadmap (Month 1)
If we move forward, we'll quickly dive into your current technology, processes, and team setup. We then collaboratively develop an actionable 90-day technology roadmap, often including a Technology Strategy Document tailored to your startup's immediate and near-term goals.
Ongoing Strategic Leadership & Execution Support
Through an agreed monthly commitment, you get continuous strategic guidance. This means regular check-ins, architectural reviews, team mentoring, critical decision support, and ensuring your technology fuels, not hinders, your startup's momentum.
What a Typical Engagement Includes
Every engagement is tailored to your specific needs, but here's what most of our startup partners can expect:
Regular Strategic Check-ins
Weekly or bi-weekly calls to discuss progress, address challenges, and make key technical decisions together.
Technology Strategy Document
A comprehensive document outlining your technology roadmap, architecture decisions, and strategic recommendations.
Architecture Reviews
Regular evaluation of your technical architecture to ensure it supports current needs and future growth.
Team Mentorship
Direct guidance and mentoring for your development team members to accelerate their growth and effectiveness.
Process Optimization
Implementation and refinement of development processes, tools, and methodologies to improve efficiency.
Risk Assessment & Mitigation
Ongoing evaluation of technical risks and implementation of strategies to minimize potential issues.
Specialized Focus Areas:
We specialize in software architecture, SaaS platforms, AI integration strategy, cloud infrastructure, and the unique team leadership and scaling challenges faced by software-focused startups.
Beyond Today: A Partner in Your Startup's Journey
Our commitment is to your long-term success. As your startup grows and evolves, we adapt our support – whether that means scaling our engagement or helping you transition to a full-time internal CTO when the time is right.
Scale Our Engagement
Increase or decrease our involvement based on your changing needs and growth phases.
Full-Time CTO Transition
When you're ready, we'll help you find and transition to a full-time internal CTO.
Continued Technical Partnership
Maintain our strategic relationship even after you have full-time leadership in place.
Advisory Role
Transition to an advisory capacity for ongoing strategic technical guidance.
We're not just a service provider – we're invested in your startup's long-term technical success and growth trajectory.
Ready to Build and Scale with Confidence?
Stop letting technical uncertainties slow your startup down. Get the expert guidance you need to innovate faster, scale efficiently, and make impactful technology decisions.
GrassEqual
Calgary, Alberta, Canada