Fractional CTO Services.
Operators, not advisors. We're battle-hardened technology leaders who've scaled engineering organisations, made high-stakes architecture decisions, and learned from both successes and failures.
Who benefits from Fractional CTO Services
Between-CTO Gap
Need experienced technology leadership while you search for your next full-time CTO.
First-Time Founders
Non-technical founders who need strategic technology guidance without a full-time hire.
Preparing for Fundraise
Getting your technology story and team ready for investor scrutiny.
Rapid Growth
Scaling faster than your current leadership capacity can handle.
Cost-Conscious Startups
Need CTO-level thinking but can't justify or afford a full-time executive.
Client Testimonials
"Tom Dignan is one of the most gifted technology leaders I've ever worked with. He consistently translated our complex business goals into clear, executable roadmaps that delivered real impact. His combination of strategic vision, technical excellence, and people-first leadership is rare and exactly what you get with Rational Partners. Wherever Tom leads technology, teams flourish and products thrive."
"Rational Partners, under Roja's guidance, have been a key asset in evolving our technology strategy. Joining us as CTO during a crucial phase, Roja adeptly navigated the complexities we faced, setting out an 18-month plan focusing on technology improvement, team development, and new feature rollout. His approach brought a fresh perspective to our tech team, driving efficiency and innovation, particularly through AI integration. His role extended beyond tech leadership, providing valuable insights to our executive team and significantly contributing to our business growth and market position."
"We're constantly amazed to have a 'fractional CTO' (Chris) because he always prioritizes us and never makes us feel like there are other competing interests. Working with Rational Partners has been invaluable at our current stage. It has given us the time to find a top-notch Head of Engineering without rushing and making compromises. As a result, our delivery pace and quality have improved thanks to strategic product and architecture decisions. This is a testament to RP's ethos, which aligns with ours. They don't just manage, but actively participate as player/coaches. Chris is hands-on, resolving problems directly instead of providing sideline advice. Working with Rational Partners has been a game changer!"
Engagement Models
Strategic Oversight
Light-touch guidance for companies with capable technical teams. Monthly strategy sessions and on-call advisory.
Active Leadership
Regular involvement in technical decisions, team management, and stakeholder communication. 1-2 days per week.
Intensive Support
Deep engagement during critical periods — fundraising, scaling challenges, or major technical decisions. 3-4 days per week.
Crisis Response
Immediate, focused support during urgent situations. Full availability until the crisis is resolved.
Book a call today
Our Delivery Philosophy
Embedded, Not External
We work as part of your team, not as outside consultants dropping in with recommendations.
Honest, Not Political
We tell you what you need to hear, even when it's uncomfortable.
Pragmatic, Not Ideological
We recommend what works for your context, not what's theoretically perfect.
Independence, Not Dependency
Our goal is to build your capability, not create ongoing reliance on us.
Why choose Rational Partners
Battle-Hardened Operators
Every fractional CTO has built and scaled technology organisations. We've made the mistakes so you don't have to.
Collective Strength
Access to a network of specialists across security, data, infrastructure, and more when you need them.
Investment-Aligned Perspective
We understand what investors look for and how to position technology as a value driver.
Let's explore how we can support your technology leadership needs.