When building a startup, you have many options for software development. Whether you hire a team of developers, outsource to an agency, or find a CTO.
While all of these options are viable, if you find a CTO with the right tech expertise, you’ll have gained a key player to help you succeed. But remember, if you pick the wrong CTO you won’t survive long – you may not even make it to launch.
I bet you keep hearing that “Finding your dream CTO is not easy”. It’s true; it takes a lot of time and commitment. That’s why many founders spend years looking for the perfect person for the job, myself included.
When I first started founding startups, I experienced the hurdles of finding a CTO first-hand. Over the last 14 years, I have built many projects. It took me more than 30 months and more than 300 headaches before I found the right guy for the job.
But when I found him, he nailed it. And he kept on nailing it.
Usually, the conflict is: You want to start building your MVP as soon as possible, so you might feel tempted to commit to the first decent option you find. On the other hand, you know this is one of the most crucial decisions you will make as a non-tech founder.
There are certain traits to look out for as you try to find a CTO. Many wannabe CTOs will display the same characteristics. This includes overpromising and underdelivering on a massive scale – but more on that later.
I’ve taken my experience building six startups, advising dozens and working with many startup founders at Altar.io, and identified the vital qualities every CTO should embody.
But first, I want to give you a quick overview of the responsibilities of a Startup CTO:
What Are The Responsibilities of a Startup CTO?
Your CTO will lead the development department of your startup. They will set the technical direction for your product development – from creating a strategic plan to identifying the tools needed to execute that plan.
As your startup grows, your CTO will continue this process. They will be looking ahead, keeping up to date with tech trends in your industry to adapt your startup’s technical direction to stay at the cutting edge.
They may also code in the early stages of your startup, but it’s important to point out that a CTO is much more than a developer.
Therefore, before we get to the list, it’s important to point out that all of these qualities are vital. The fact is, your Robin needs to have it all, not a few or most, all.
What To Look For In A CTO
To be sure you’ve found your CTO remember: Passion is an essential trait highly correlated with the tenacity needed to traverse the dark alleys of the startup journey. Every startup faces hurdles. Unless you find a CTO that has a passion for your company; during the storms, you will be navigating the challenges alone.
Passion can truly mean the difference between success and failure for your startup product, it’s what will help you and your CTO find those innovative solutions that will lead to building a 10x better product.
That’s why my team and I only work with entrepreneurs whose products we believe in, it’s the only way we can truly serve them – giving them the best of our expertise and experience.
Before I move on, it’s essential to understand the market dynamics. We are currently in reversed HR dynamics as it pertains to finding CTOs and developers: the talent picks the company – not the other way round. This is due to more demand than supply. For example, last year for every five developer job postings, only one was filled.
So, if you find a CTO who’s good at what they do, chances are they’re already in a job, earning well.
For example, a typical CTO salary in the US is between $257,625 and $338,237 per annum (as of June 2023 – before bonuses & benefits).
Given this, you get my perspective when I tell you that most CTOs will most likely be taking a considerable salary. Moreover, they’ll probably be working on a project that they’re passionate about. You will be asking them to drop all of that for your early-stage idea. Which is quite normal, and one of the few ways to onboard the right CTO for the job. But there is no way they’re going to give up a lucrative job for your startup unless they’re genuinely passionate about your idea, I mean obsessed-passionate (otherwise they’re just crazy or faking it).
Responsibility
With great power comes great responsibility. It’s important to find a CTO that is a responsible professional before onboarding them as your partner in crime.
