Fractional CTO services
NullCXO brings part-time technology leadership to your architecture, engineering, vendors, and delivery—without a full-time executive hire.
Standard NullCXO rates start at $275/hour. Monthly retainers start at $2,750 for 10 hours.
What NullCXO covers
Use it when decisions are stuck
Bring in an experienced operator when technology choices, operating priorities, vendor decisions, or delivery risks are slowing the business. Startup technology advisory and technical strategy connect the decision to business priorities.
The leadership you need
Part-time executive leadership through NullCXO, tailored to your business.
- CTO: Architecture, engineering, and delivery.
- CIO: Systems, vendors, and technology spending.
- CEO: Company direction, priorities, and accountability when technology is central to the business.
Keep accountability close
Every engagement is personally delivered by NullorNaN's Founder and CTO. That means the person framing the tradeoffs can also lead the next step, coordinate the work, and remain accountable for the result.
Leadership and execution
NullCXO leads technology decisions; Null Engineer delivers when hands-on work is required. Startup Hybrid packages combine leadership and engineering hours in one monthly retainer.
Relevant operating proof
Selected operating outcomes, with the delivery context behind each result.
Aligned engineering teams
Anonymized Client
Aligned 12+ engineering teams on strategy, roadmaps, and delivery.
- Situation
- Growing clients needed a common technology direction across teams.
- Constraint
- The approach had to work from seed stage through 200-person operations.
- What changed
- Aligned 12+ engineering teams on strategy, roadmaps, and delivery automation.
- Measured result
- 300% increase in scalability.
Controlled AI infrastructure spend
Anonymized Client
Created controls for AI infrastructure spend and model priorities.
- Situation
- AI infrastructure spend was rising without clear allocation controls.
- Constraint
- Cost reduction could not compromise priority model capacity.
- What changed
- Introduced governance, model prioritization, and resource allocation.
- Measured result
- Helped reduce AI/infrastructure spend from $20M to $12M in 30 days.
Improved cost forecasting
NullorNaN
Built read-only cost controls and cash-flow forecasting.
- Situation
- The practice needed a reliable internal view of cost and cash flow.
- Constraint
- Financial data access had to remain read-only and controlled.
- What changed
- Built cost controls and forecasting with read-only financial data.
- Measured result
- 2% forecast variance.
Built a delivery roadmap
Anonymized Client
Delivered a production-ready platform architecture and buildout plan.
- Situation
- A pre-equity rideshare startup needed a viable technical and financial plan.
- Constraint
- The roadmap target was seven business days.
- What changed
- Drafted milestone costs, early build-out steps, and 2-3 year priorities.
- Measured result
- Production-ready platform architecture and buildout plan delivered in two business days.
FAQ
What is a fractional CTO?
A fractional CTO provides part-time executive technology leadership: architecture direction, engineering oversight, vendor and delivery accountability, and technical strategy tied to business priorities—without a full-time hire.
What do NullorNaN's fractional CTO services cover?
NullCXO covers fractional CTO, CIO, and CEO leadership. For CTO work that means architecture, engineering direction, roadmaps, delivery governance, and executive-level tradeoffs. Specialized transformation or crisis leadership is scoped separately when standard packages are not the right fit.
How much does a NullCXO retainer cost?
Published packages start at $275/hour or $2,750/month for 10 hours (Rain). Larger tiers and Build Your Own configurations are on the homepage pricing section. Prebuilt and Startup Hybrid packages use a term of 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 months (minimum 3). Package discounts apply to the monthly rate on those terms. Build Your Own terms depend on combined monthly hours: 3 or 6 months up to 60 combined hours/month; 6, 12, 18, or 24 months above 60 combined hours/month. You pay month to month: first month at signing, then the same amount each month until the term ends. Total value is monthly rate times months in the term. No extra deposit. Engagement terms, prepaid fees, unused hours, and cancellation provisions are governed by the executed services agreement.
Does a fractional CTO engagement include hands-on engineering?
NullCXO hours are for leadership, planning, and governance. Hands-on engineering is delivered through Null Engineer or a Startup Hybrid blend when you need both in one agreement.
Do monthly hours roll over or provide 24/7 coverage?
Your included hours refresh each month. If you do not use them, they do not carry forward. Hours do not roll over, pile up, move between Null Engineer and NullCXO, or turn into credits or refunds. Retainers are not 24/7 executive availability or on-call coverage.
Can NullorNaN work with clients outside the United States?
NullorNaN Systems, LLC is U.S.-based and serves clients globally. Matt operates on U.S. Eastern Time.
Get senior direction
Tell us what is stuck—architecture, delivery, vendors, or team direction—and we will tell you honestly if fractional CTO leadership is the right fit.
NullorNaN Systems, LLC is a U.S.-registered, U.S.-staffed consulting firm. We serve clients globally, with technical leadership delivered from the U.S. Eastern Time zone.