How startups can access CTO expertise without breaking the budget – introducing PAYG CTO Services
You’ve heard this sobering statistic before – over 90% of startups fail. Do you know why, though? According to Investopedia, “business owners say they’ve failed because the money ran out, being in the wrong market, a lack of research, bad partnerships, ineffective marketing, and not being an industry expert.”
We’ve got some good news; a lot of these issues can be avoided by securing top technical leadership—typically in the form of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO). However, if you’re in the early stages, the cost of hiring a full-time CTO is simply out of the question. This is why we’ve launched Novidian- Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) CTO services that offer a flexible, scalable, and budget-friendly alternative.
Note: Did we have you at Pay-As-You-Go? Contact us to arrange a call so you can find out more.
CTO expertise is expensive and essential
Startups now exist in a tech-driven world where having solid technological foundations isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re building a SaaS product, scaling a mobile app, or creating an e-commerce platform, the technical decisions you make in the early stages can shape your startup’s success.
A CTO’s role involves more than just overseeing code and architecture. They:
- Align technology strategies with business goals.
- Make sure your systems are scalable and secure
- Hire and mentor your technical teams
- Manage budgets and timelines for development projects.
However, hiring a full-time CTO with the expertise to handle these tasks is gonna cost ya. The average annual salary for a CTO in the U.S. exceeds $200,000, which doesn’t include equity or benefits. For bootstrapped or seed-funded startups, these costs are unattainable.
Why traditional models don’t work for lean startups
Conventional approaches to accessing technical leadership—either hiring full-time CTOs or relying on technical co-founders—come with downsides for early-stage startups:
H3: Full-time CTOs are overkill for early stages
In the initial stages, startups often don’t need a full-time CTO. Many technical decisions, like building an MVP or selecting a tech stack, can be decided on a project-by-project basis. Paying a high salary for a full-time role during this phase is just an inefficient use of money.
Technical co-founders are hard to find
Finding a technical co-founder who aligns with your vision, values, and goals is like finding outdated code in well-established software…tricky. Even if you find someone, offering a decent amount of equity as compensation could reduce your ownership stake.
Outsourcing to agencies can be risky
While outsourcing development to an agency is common, these firms rarely provide strategic CTO-level oversight. Without proper technical leadership, startups risk overspending on poorly defined projects or building solutions that don’t scale.
Clearly, we’ve filled a gap in the market for an alternative approach that provides startups with access to high-level technical expertise without locking them into long-term financial commitments.
PAYG CTO Services: Novidian
Our Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) CTO services offer a radical way for startups to access world-class technical leadership on demand. Our model is designed to meet the unique needs of lean startups. We give you the strategic guidance you need without financially burdening you with a full-time hire.
Key features of Novidian’s PAYG CTO services
Hourly or project-based billing
Startups only pay for the hours they need. Whether a few hours a week for ongoing strategic advice or a focused block of time for a critical project, our PAYG CTO services offer flexibility like no other consultancy service can.
Access to senior-level expertise
With our PAYG service, startups gain access to experienced professionals who’ve led teams, scaled systems, and tackled complex technical challenges. We don’t work with juniors; we work with board-sitting-c-suite-talking professionals.
Detailed audit and QA processes
Our PAYG CTO service can include thorough audits of existing systems, ensuring your tech stack is ready for performance, scalability, and security. And, when you engage with us, we run thorough quality assurance (QA) processes to make sure the advice we give you is spot on, first time.
Support that scales with you.
As your startup grows, your technical needs will change. Our PAYG CTO service can scale with you- we can give you more support when needed and step back during quieter periods.
The Benefits of our PAYG model for early-stage startups
The way we work has several unique advantages when you’re in the trenches of an early-stage startup.
- Cost-effectiveness: By paying only for what you use, you can allocate resources strategically and avoid the hefty salary of a full-time hire.
- Faster decision-making: With a seasoned CTO at your fingertips, you can make informed technical decisions quickly, giving you a competitive edge.
- Focus on core business: With technical leadership handled by experts, founders can focus on customer acquisition, fundraising, and refining your vision.
- Reduced risk: PAYG CTOs bring a wealth of experience, helping startups avoid common mistakes like overspending on unnecessary features or choosing outdated tech.
Ready, set, get started
If you’re considering PAYG CTO services for your startup, here are three steps on how to prep so you can move quickly:
- Consider your needs: Identify the areas where you need immediate technical leadership. Are you building an MVP? Auditing your tech stack? Scaling a product?
- Find a trusted partner: At Novidian, we have a proven track record, strong references, and a clear understanding of startup dynamics.
- Start small: Invest in a few hours or a specific project to see how our model works for you. Doing it this way, you can see how we work and get a feel for if it’s right for you.
The need for high-quality technical leadership is undeniable for early—stage startups, but so is the strain on your wallet. Novidian’s service bridges this gap, offering a practical, scalable, and budget-friendly way to access the expertise you need to succeed.
We want to give as many startups as we can the opportunity to lay foundations for long-term growth without overextending themselves during the early days. If you’re looking for a way to bring strategic technical leadership into your startup without breaking the bank, our services might be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
Contact us today to find out more and talk to one of our experts.