Manuel Zamora — Your Startup's Strategic Tech Partner

Trusted by founders backed by world-class accelerators

"We launched fast, got lucky with a NYT mention, and hit 500K signups in a month."

Solo Founder · Pet Tech
500K users post-launch

"Manuel took over after 2 years of zero traction with a dev shop. We piloted schools in 8 weeks."

Founder · EdTech
2 schools in 2 months

"Creative, relentless, and actually loves the grind. Not just an engineer — a real partner."

Founder · Real Estate Tech
Raised from institutional investors

What I Help You With

📐 Translate Ideas Into Product Plans

Turn vague ideas into concrete features, flows, and systems that engineers can build.

🎯 Define a Clear Technical Strategy

Turn your vision into a roadmap investors and engineers rally behind.

⚡ Act as Fractional CTO

Own hiring, infra, product, and scaling decisions without the risk of a full‑time hire.

🧠 Make Smart AI Calls

Decide where LLMs, agents, or RAG add real value—and where they don't.

🛠️ Build When It Counts

Personally code the critical first version when speed and trust matter most.

💬 Investor-Ready Support

From deck reviews to technical diligence, I help you sound sharp and ship smart.

Need a fixed‑price sub‑$10K MVP instead? → AppVentures.ai

About Me

I'm Manuel Zamora. A startup founder, strategic technologist, product thinker, and occasional hands‑on builder. I've helped companies raise over $50M, get acquired, and avoid catastrophic technical debt. I've been in the trenches. Now I help you navigate yours with clarity and confidence.

"Founders deserve clear, actionable technical leadership. I'm here to ensure you feel confident and empowered every step of the way."

Manuel Zamora on LinkedIn

Some Wins from the Journey

Cybersecurity SaaS

Strategic roadmap clarified, raised $30M+, scaled to 9-figure ARR with no hiring overhead.

"Manuel's clear, actionable strategy helped us rapidly scale—no more technical uncertainty."

— FinTech Founder

Construction Tech Platform

Defined clear technical strategy, accepted into 500 Startups, raised $20M+, successfully acquired.

"Manuel guided our technical decisions and strategic hires at each stage, directly impacting our successful exit."

— Construction Tech Founder

EdTech Marketplace

Navigated complex pivot strategically, achieved 900K+ class-minutes, serving 15K+ families.

"Manuel's strategic clarity helped transform our product, user engagement, and growth."

— EdTech Innovator

AI Parenting Platform

Rapidly scaled a cohesive AI product strategy, driving strong retention and predictable growth.

"Manuel was our strategic guide, making complex technical decisions clear and manageable."

— Parenting App Co-Founder

→ See More Founder Outcomes

How We Work Together

Whether you're bootstrapping or raising, I help non-technical founders build fast, validate, and scale — with clean code and AI support.

1🎯 Clarify

90‑min deep dive on goals, risks, and milestones.

2📐 Map

Written product & tech plan with quick‑win sprint.

3🛠️ Build

I code the critical path or plug in trusted teams.

4🤝 Scale

Stay on as advisor, interim CTO, or tech lead.

Tech I Build With

From core infrastructure to frontend polish — here's what I use regularly.

Clear Pricing Tiers (Founder-Friendly)

I work with 2 founders per quarter depending on scope and fit. Most MVPs ship in 3–6 weeks and include code ownership, clean architecture, and ongoing support options.

✅ Current Status: Accepting 1 new build as of now

Technical Clarity Call

Entry-Level

$750

flat fee

✓ 90-minute deep-dive call
✓ Clear strategy guidance
✓ Tech roadmap overview
✓ Key recommendations

Best for: Early-stage founders seeking initial clarity and strategic direction.

Technical Roadmap Sprint

Comprehensive Plan

$3,500

flat fee

✓ 1-week focused sprint
✓ Detailed product/tech roadmap
✓ Clear execution plan
✓ Recommended partners

Best for: Founders ready to plan clearly and execute confidently.

Fractional CTO Retainer

For Growing Startups

$8,500

per month (20 hrs/week)

✓ Ongoing strategic leadership
✓ Hiring decisions
✓ Product strategy
✓ Partner management
✓ Investor-readiness support

Best for: Growing teams needing reliable CTO-level support without hiring risk.

Common Questions

What's a Fractional CTO, exactly?

A Fractional CTO provides part-time, strategic tech leadership without needing a full-time hire—perfect for startups needing senior-level guidance and strategic clarity.

Who Is This For?

I'm a fit for you if:

You've got traction or funding but no technical lead
You've tried freelancers but need real clarity
You're serious about AI but don't want hype
You want a strategic tech partner — not just a coder

Do I need to hire developers?

Not necessarily. Most clients scale confidently through my trusted partners—AppVentures (fast MVP builds) or Downshift (ongoing dev and growth)—avoiding costly or risky hires.

Can you support investor diligence?

Yes. I'll clearly document your tech strategy and strengths, confidently prepare you for technical questions, and join investor calls if needed.

Is this a good fit if I have no technical experience?

Absolutely. My entire approach is jargon-free and clearly communicated, specifically designed for founders of any technical background.

I work with founders who are serious and ready to build.

Got a startup idea and want to move fast? Let's talk.

📅 Let's Talk Strategy — Book a Call

No fluff. No handoffs. Just momentum.

You can also email me at hello@manuelzamora.com

Your Startup's Fractional CTO & AI Strategy Partner