CTO as a Service
ROI you can model before you sign
Use Continuum as your CTO-as-a-service partner when you need senior judgment plus a crew that designs, codes, and ships your roadmap. We combine 20 years of SaaS leadership with AI-accelerated delivery so you can forecast cost savings, speed, and growth.
Why founders pick CTO-as-a-service
Strategic guidance plus a build crew that designs, codes, and delivers investor-ready reporting—without the overhead of a full-time executive. Our engagements include roadmap ownership, engineering rituals, and curated vendor management.
| What you care about | Full-time CTO | Continuum CTOaaS | Typical agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $35k+ salary + equity + benefits | $2.5k–$5k retainer, no equity | $18k+ with junior teams |
| Ramp time | 3–6 months to full productivity | Quick-win audit in week 0, execution in week 1 | 2–4 weeks onboarding, limited strategic ownership |
| Leadership depth | High (once ramped) | Principal-level CTO + curated specialist bench | Variable, fluctuates by project manager |
| AI & automation | Depends on hire | Baked into every engagement (estimators, scaffolding, QA) | Siloed tools, limited transparency |
Built-in ROI checkpoints
- • Week 0 audit quantifies current roadblocks and opportunity cost.
- • Forecast document shows savings vs full-time hire and agency alternatives.
- • Monthly scorecard tracks feature velocity, technical debt, and burn impact.
Deliverables every founder receives
- • Prioritized roadmap with resourcing plan and AI automation opportunities.
- • Recruiting playbook covering role scorecards, interview loops, and onboarding.
- • Investor-ready reporting pack (KPIs, risk register, architecture summary).
CTO-as-a-Service FAQ
How does billing work?
Engagements are billed monthly with a 60-day minimum. We track hours against agreed outcomes and share a dashboard so you can see where time is invested.
Can we scale the engagement up or down?
Yes. Most founders start with the Guided plan, then scale to Embedded once roadmap velocity increases. We review scope every 30 days and adjust with five-day notice.
Will you work with our existing developers or agency?
Absolutely. Continuum often leads mixed teams—internal developers, freelancers, or offshore partners. We establish rituals, code standards, and QA so everyone ships in sync.
Ready to model the ROI?
Review our ROI playbook with Matthew, then see how a long-term partnership drove measurable growth for BizJetJobs before we tailor a plan for you.