A fractional CTO for as long as you need one
Senior technical leadership for startups and growing businesses, from the first plan to the product people use every day. Doug plans it, builds it and stays with you as it grows.
What is a fractional CTO?
A fractional CTO is an experienced technical lead who works with you part-time. You get the judgement of someone who has built and scaled products before, without the cost of a full-time hire.
At Citrus Media, your fractional CTO also builds the product. The advice and the code come from the same person, so nothing gets lost between the plan and what ships.
Who it's for
Doug works with companies at every stage, but often comes in at pre-seed: an idea, some early funding or a first customer, and no one to turn it into software. Having been through the startup journey several times himself, he knows what you're juggling.
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Non-technical founders
Most of the founders Doug works with aren't technical. Every decision is explained in plain English, so you stay in control of your own product.
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Technical founders
Want a senior second pair of hands? Share the architecture and the build with someone who has done it before.
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Growing businesses
Technical leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.
What's included
Everything a product needs from its technical lead. Early on, Doug is often your whole tech team.
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Planning and roadmap
What to build first, what to leave out of version one, and what comes next.
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Architecture
A technology stack that's affordable now and ready to scale later.
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Building it
Hands-on development from databases and back end to front end, web and mobile apps, and cloud infrastructure. Games, 3D and animation too.
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Looking after it
Hosting, security, maintenance and updates once you've launched.
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Growing your team
Hiring and interviewing developers, and handing over when you're ready.
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Investor conversations
Explaining your technology and roadmap clearly, and getting ready for the technical questions investors ask.
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Specialists when you need them
When a project needs skills beyond the core, Doug brings in trusted specialists he has worked with for years.
Why founders stay for years
Products don't stop at launch. There are fixes and updates, more users, new features, and better ideas once real customers start using what you've built.
Because the person who planned your product also built it, you never have to explain it from scratch, and nothing gets lost in a handover. That's why so many of Doug's client relationships last for years rather than months.
A good CTO is hard to find for an early-stage company, and the right one is worth keeping. Doug prefers it that way too: a long-term working relationship you can both rely on.
Ways to work
Work on whatever terms suit you, and change them as you grow.
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Retainer
A set amount of time each month for ongoing leadership, development and support.
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On the clock
Pay for the time you use. Good for lighter or irregular needs.
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Fixed price
A clearly scoped project, such as an MVP, for an agreed price.
Just need something built? One-off projects are welcome too, with support afterwards if you want it.
Senior experience at a fair price
Many founders come to us after seeing agency quotes that would swallow most of their budget, or after they've already been burned by one. With Citrus Media you work directly with the person doing the work, with no account managers or extra layers in between, so your money goes into the product.
About Doug
Doug has 28 years' experience building software, platforms and infrastructure, and has founded and built a string of startups of his own. Some took off and some didn't, and the lessons from both go into every product he works on. He built Zondle, an edtech platform that grew to two million users, entirely himself, from the code to the graphics and social media. He also co-founded Worldspace and created oodlü, a 3D open world for learning.
Related work
See the kinds of products Doug has planned and built for founders: more in Things we've built and the full work page.
Looking for a technical lead?
Tell Doug about your idea and where you are with it. No sales team, just a conversation with the person who'd do the work.
Talk to DougQuestions
What does a fractional CTO do?
A fractional CTO leads the technical side of your business part-time: planning the product, choosing the technology, overseeing the build, keeping things secure and running, and advising on hiring. At Citrus Media, Doug also does the building, so you get leadership and delivery in one.
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
It depends on how much time you need. You can work on a monthly retainer, pay by the hour or day, or agree a fixed price for a defined project. Either way it costs a fraction of a full-time CTO, and because you work directly with Doug there are no agency overheads. Tell Doug what you need and he'll suggest the best fit.
Do you just advise, or do you build as well?
Both. In the early stages Doug is often the whole tech team, planning the product and writing the code. As you grow, the role can shift towards leadership while your own developers take on more of the build.
I'm not technical. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Most of the founders Doug works with aren't technical. Choices are explained in plain English so you can make good decisions about your own product.
Can we get something built without a long-term commitment?
Yes. One-off, fixed-price projects are welcome. Most products need updates and support after launch, and many clients choose to keep Doug involved, but that's always your call.
Can you help us raise investment?
Doug can help with the technical side: explaining your technology and roadmap to investors and preparing for their technical questions. For the fundraising itself, you'll want a specialist alongside.
Who owns the code?
You do. This is agreed up front, and everything built for you is yours.
What happens when we hire our own developers?
Doug can help you write the roles, interview candidates and get new developers up to speed, then hand over as much as you want. Some clients keep him on in a lighter advisory role afterwards.
Do you work with companies outside Edinburgh?
Yes. Citrus Media has studios in Edinburgh and Newbury and works with founders across the UK and beyond, mostly remotely.