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Lead Developer to CTO at a Startup

SoCal CTO

I seem to encounter a lot of people who want to attach a CTO label to me as I'm the only programmer on the founding team of three. While I do fill that role at the moment, I'm a little hesitant to refer to myself as a CTO as we still haven't launched a product, acquired a single user, or turned or a penny in profit.

CTO Coach 231
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Startup CTO or Developer

SoCal CTO

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. I used an image from Roger Smith that describes the varying roles of a CTO as the company matures.

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Technology Roles in Startups

SoCal CTO

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. It depends on the business, people, technologies, etc. Each situation is just a bit different.

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Building Your MVP as a Non-Technical Founder

SoCal CTO

Investors my tell you that, but what they can look at your product on paper and tell what it does and they will understand if it can be built. Investors my tell you that, but what they can look at your product on paper and tell what it does and they will understand if it can be built. To prove/disprove a hypothesis.

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Making Sure You Are Ready to Begin Building Your MVP

SoCal CTO

I'm going to be looking at aspects like: Things to consider before building your MVP Features often overlooked when documenting an MVP for developers Understanding important metrics you want to measure Risks and challenges in developing an MVP. Do you have a Technical Advisors: Every Web/Mobile Startup Must Have One ?

CTO Coach 219
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Working with Developers

SoCal CTO

I.e., they need a developer more than they need a CTO. What happens when you have a really good developer is that a gap exists where you may not ask the right questions to specify the right system, consider appropriate 3rd party technologies, etc. I just want the cost, timeline and impact. Once you are here, it’s a tough spot.

Develop 280
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Interview with Michael Wong, MergeLocal

socalTECH

Are users willing to check into local businesses with another, mobile check-in product? Michael Wong: I was previously CTO of an agency called Breakthrough Ads. My cofounder, Steven Elliott, was CTO of a company doing artificial intelligence and automated chat technology. We're also funding it out of pocket.

CTO Coach 223