CTO Coach Fractional CTO Funding Product 
SoCal CTO
JANUARY 26, 2010
I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies. In December 2007, I described how I commonly take on an Acting CTO Role in a Start-up. That’s why Roger Smith puts the focus of the CTO on programming for the earliest stage.
SoCal CTO
APRIL 2, 2012
Hiring seems to be the preferred use of seed funds (by investors and founders), whereas I'd prefer a focus on customer acquisition. The problem is you don't yet have product/market fit, and until you do, you don't really know what to build. When product vision is truly clear, then it makes sense to execute it, and hiring follows.
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SoCal CTO
MARCH 4, 2010
I’ve worked with 30+ early-stage companies in all sorts of capacities (and spoken to many, many more), so I thought it might be worthwhile trying to classify the various ways that I’ve engaged in different technology roles in startups. Later he posted about his experience in Challenges of Startups.
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 22, 2021
Every entrepreneur tries to maximize his startup growth by building and selling more product and services for the widest geographic area that he can support. Rather than push non-compete agreements on your superstars, it’s more productive to create incentive systems and creative ways for them to work more independently, just for you.
SoCal CTO
NOVEMBER 10, 2009
He has a really interesting background as a product manager and now an entrepreneur. Like many product managers, my background is fairly eclectic. That's where I learned I enjoyed interacting with customers and working with development teams to build and launch products. Tell me a bit about your background. How did it help you?
Both Sides of the Table
OCTOBER 11, 2016
Most VCs did well academically and had enough career success that a venture firm was willing to give them an investment role or they were able to raise their own fund. That’s why I often say The role of VC is “chief psychologist.” It’s the executives who trust you to join the early-stage startups you’ve funded.
Both Sides of the Table
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
You’re sales person is getting blocked by the CTO who says she shouldn’t go above him but the CTO isn’t approving the deal. Yes, I know it’s my job as the CEO to be the coach for people and that’s fine. He went out and found a developer and built a product. What lovely charts!
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