The Startup CTO Hiring Guide
When to hire, how to evaluate, what to pay, and how to avoid the 5 most expensive mistakes. A complete guide based on 50+ CTO placements and 10+ years as a fractional CTO.
- [+]Decision framework: When to hire (and when NOT to)
- [+]Job description templates & interview questions
- [+]Compensation benchmarks by stage and location
- [+]Red flags checklist + evaluation scorecards
Download the Full Guide
40+ pages of actionable advice from someone who's done this 50+ times
// CHAPTERS
What's Inside the Guide
Everything you need to make the right CTO hiring decision for your startup
Chapter 1: When to Hire (and When Not To)
- [+]Decision framework by company stage
- [+]Alternatives to full-time CTO (fractional, augmented, VP Eng)
- [+]Cost-benefit analysis template
- [+]Common timing mistakes to avoid
Chapter 2: Writing the Job Description
- [+]3 proven JD templates (early/growth/scale stage)
- [+]Must-have vs nice-to-have skills breakdown
- [+]How to avoid over-specifying requirements
- [+]Where to post for best candidates
Chapter 3: Sourcing & Screening
- [+]Top 10 sourcing channels for CTO talent
- [+]Resume screening checklist (15-minute filter)
- [+]Phone screen script + knockout questions
- [+]How to spot inflated titles and experience
Chapter 4: Interview Process
- [+]3-stage interview framework (2-3 weeks total)
- [+]50+ technical + behavioral questions
- [+]Case study exercises (with scoring rubrics)
- [+]Reference check template + what to ask
Chapter 5: Compensation & Offers
- [+]Salary benchmarks by stage, location, experience
- [+]Equity packages: typical ranges and vesting
- [+]Benefits and perks that matter to CTOs
- [+]Offer letter template with negotiation tips
Chapter 6: Onboarding & First 90 Days
- [+]30-60-90 day plan template
- [+]Key milestones and success metrics
- [+]How to set expectations and avoid misalignment
- [+]When to course-correct (and when to part ways)
BONUS: The 5 Most Expensive Mistakes
A dedicated section on the mistakes that cost startups the most money and time—and exactly how to avoid them. Based on real horror stories.
// BENCHMARKS
Salary Benchmarks Preview (from the guide)
| Stage | Base Salary (UK) | Equity Range | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-seed / Seed | £80-120K | 2-5% | £80-120K + equity |
| Series A | £120-160K | 1-3% | £120-160K + equity |
| Series B+ | £150-220K | 0.5-2% | £150-220K + equity |
// TESTIMONIAL
"This guide saved us at least 3 months and probably £50K in recruitment fees. We followed the process exactly and hired an incredible CTO in 5 weeks. The interview questions and evaluation scorecards were gold."
// ALTERNATIVES
Not Ready to Hire Yet?
Consider fractional or augmented CTO services while you're growing. Get strategic leadership + execution without the 6-month hiring process and £150K+ commitment.