Manuel ZamoraFractional CTO for professionals starting a company
Every partnership starts here. While you're still figuring out what to build and who to build it with, I'm your CTO.
$6,000 a month, a few hours a week. When there's something to build, Downshift's team builds it with us.
Book a callWhat I take on
- The architecture and every technical decision, written down
- What gets built first, and what doesn't get built at all
- Reviewing what your team, agency or AI tool builds
- Hiring your first engineers
- The technology questions when you raise
What it costs
One price for me alone. If you need a team building too, that's Downshift.
| Monthly | Seat | Me | Team | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | Fractional CTO, just me | A few hours a week. A weekly working session. Answers within one business day | Not included | Architecture and stack decisions, vendor and code review, hiring your first engineers, investor diligence, a monthly written memo |
| $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 | Fractional CTO, with Downshift building | Your CTO. A weekly 1:1, plus every key technical decision | Senior engineers working with AI agents, QA, and product or support, sized to the package | The product built and kept running in your accounts. The mix can change month to month |
Hosting, APIs and paid tools bill straight to your own accounts, because the accounts are yours.
Where it can go
Some of these become partnerships.
When we both believe in the long-term vision and want to build it together for good, I become your technical co-founder.
You own the code and every account from day one. Either of us can end it with 30 days' notice.
Questions
What is a fractional CTO?
A senior technical lead you have for part of each month instead of full time. They make the technical calls a founder can't: architecture, what to build first, who to hire, whether a vendor's work holds up.
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
With me, $6,000 a month for a few hours a week. When there's something to build, Downshift's team builds it with us, from $10,000 a month.
Can you review an app my vendor or an AI tool built?
Yes. That's often where we start: a quick audit, then a plain read on whether to keep it, fix it, or rebuild it.
Can it turn into a co-founder role?
Sometimes. When we both want to build it together for the long run, I become your technical co-founder. It's something we agree to, not something you buy.
Do you invest in the companies you work with?
When it makes sense for both of us, as angels, on the same terms as your other investors.
How long do engagements last?
Month to month. Scale up or down as needed, and either of us can end it with 30 days' notice.
Tell me what you're building.
A 30-minute call. If you don't need a fractional CTO, I'll tell you.