Need a CTO but can’t afford R2.3 million to employ full-time?

Nowadays, having a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as part of your management is a prerequisite for VCs and most funding. But it’s also a competitive advantage – one MIT study found that companies with a CTO are 45% more likely to surpass their peers in innovation, profitability, and market share.

Why? You might want to improve operational efficiency, develop a tech-driven diversification strategy or need a roadmap for identifying opportunities to drive efficiency… See our post on what is a CTO for all the info on who needs a CTO, why and the complete list of business benefits.

But there’s a problem – most companies that really need CTO can’t afford one, or don’t have enough tech-domain knowledge to know which candidate is best for them.

The solution? A fractional CTO.

Here’s what you need to know…

What is a Fractional CTO?

A Fractional CTO is an on-demand technology executive who provides high-level technical leadership without the full-time cost.

(Fractional is a relatively new term for contract-based, part-time or as-you-need-it services, where a highly qualified professional makes themself available to your company, normally for just a few hours or days a week, instead of full-time, saving you money.)

Instead of hiring an in-house CTO at R1M–R2.3M per year, businesses can bring in an experienced, senior tech leader for a fraction of the cost — only when they need them.

Enquire about a fractional CTO here.

What Does a Fractional CTO Do?

Unlike an IT manager who focuses on day-to-day operations, a Fractional CTO works closely with leadership to shape long-term strategy, ensuring that tech investments align with business growth.

Their responsibilities include:

• Defining a technology roadmap that drives efficiency and competitive advantage

• Overseeing product and engineering teams to ensure scalable, secure development

• Evaluating emerging technologies like AI and automation to future-proof the business

• Ensuring security and compliance to protect business assets and data

• Helping secure investor funding by strengthening technical credibility

A Fractional CTO isn’t just a consultant — they sit next to your CEO and take ownership of technology decisions that drive business success.

Why Companies Need a CTO — But Not Always Full-Time

Hiring a full-time CTO is a significant investment, and for many businesses, it’s not financially viable. Yet, not having a CTO at all is just as risky. Poor tech decisions lead to wasted investments, failed projects, and expensive mistakes.

That’s why companies are turning to Fractional CTOs — getting the same expertise at a fraction of the cost.

When Does a Business Need a Fractional CTO?

• You need a technical leader to secure funding. Investors expect to see strong engineering leadership – even if it’s part-time.

• Your company relies on tech, but you lack strategic oversight. If you’re developing software, integrating AI, or migrating to the cloud, you need leadership to avoid costly mistakes.

• You’re scaling fast and need better tech decisions. A CTO helps you build a scalable, secure infrastructure that won’t break undergrowth.

• You’re undergoing digital transformation. Companies investing in AI, automation, or cloud computing need a seasoned leader to align tech investments with business goals.

The Cost Factor: Why Fractional CTOs Make Sense

A full-time CTO salary in South Africa can start from R1M to R2.3M per year upwards. That’s a major financial commitment—especially for startups and SMEs.

A Fractional CTO gives you the same strategic insights at a fraction of the cost, offering:

• Hourly engagements (R3,000–R6,000+ per hour)

• Monthly retainers (R50,000–R200,000+ per month for ongoing support)

• Project-based engagements for overseeing digital transformation or scaling products

By hiring a Fractional CTO, businesses avoid expensive missteps while ensuring their technology investments actually drive ROI.

Octoco: The SA Experts in Fractional CTO Services

At Octoco, we provide Fractional CTO services, CTO support, hardware engineering and software engineering for companies that need high-level technical leadership — without the full-time overhead.

Who We Work With:

• Startups & Scale-Ups: Helping early-stage companies secure funding and build scalable products.

• Corporates & SMEs: Leading digital transformation, AI adoption, and cloud migrations.

• Engineering & Product Teams: Ensuring robust, efficient, and scalable technology infrastructures.

Why Choose Octoco?

• A leading Fractional CTO provider in South Africa, with a proven track record in tech leadership.

• Access to top-tier engineering talent — helping companies hire, scale, and build the right teams.

• Flexible engagement models — advisory, interim, or full-scale project execution.

The Truth About Fractional CTO Services in SA

A Fractional CTO isn’t just a cost-saving option — it’s a smart way to get top-tier tech leadership on your terms. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a product, or transforming your business, a Fractional CTO ensures you make the right tech decisions at the right time.

Want to future-proof your company’s technology strategy?

Talk to Octoco’s engineering consultants and fractional CTOs today.