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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. That’s why Roger Smith puts the focus of the CTO on programming for the earliest stage.

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Want to Know the Difference Between a CTO and a VP Engineering?

Both Sides of the Table

The terms “CTO&# and “VP Engineering&# have such stigmas associated with what they are that I’m sure some people will feel uncomfortable with the definitions I’ve put forward. Still, I believe I’m offering an accurate representation of the ideal configuration of the main technology leaders. Experience.

CTO Hire 400
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10 Attributes Of The Perfect Partner For Your Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

The reason is that good attributes apply equally well to “external” partners, as they do to internal partners, like a co-founder or CTO. If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Brings complementary skills and experience.

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The Power of “In Person” – Why Distributed Teams are Less Effective

Both Sides of the Table

The conversations bleed into the sales messages the next time, they wend their way into software designs and form the plan of attach against competition. And from all the office chatter come norms and beliefs. CEO, VP Products and CTO must all be in the physical location. What about outsourcing? What about offshoring?

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10 Ways Your Startup Co-Founder Is Like A Good Spouse

Startup Professionals Musings

The reason is that good attributes apply equally well to “external” partners, as they do to internal partners, like a co-founder or CTO. If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Brings complementary skills and experience.

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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. Who will do that?

CTO Coach 231
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Advice for CTO Founders: Don't Let Business Kill the Business

SoCal Delicious

Main February 23, 2010 Advice for CTO Founders: Dont Let Business Kill the Business Founding a technology company is an amazing thing. Too often, however, I have found CTO / Founders paired with business people who not only don't add value, but frequently detract from the value of the business.