I'm a highly skilled tech person with little business acumen. How can I find startups looking for a CTO?

I'm a full stack software engineer who knows how to architect and build enterprise scale applications. I don't, however, have an idea for a business or knowledge of how to execute the business side of things.

How can I find early stage startups that are looking for a CTO? There seem to be very few public listings for CTO roles.

CTO Technology Startups

asked Mar 17 '14 at 21:41

Yvonne Ingraham
85 points

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Just try expanding your LinkedIn network and joining startup groups in your area. You could also check out startup communities or funding sites. – Garet Claborn 11 years ago

1 Answer

Most early stage startups don't need a highly skilled technical CTO. Or rather, they can't usually justify one.

Assuming you really do mean early stage, and you're prepared to work without salary, then you should be networking yourself in the same places that your potential co-founders will be. Startup Weekends, Hackathons, Accelerators, local co-working spaces, etc, as well as talking to people who aren't looking, but might know someone who is.

disclaimer: I'm a facilitator for Startup Weekend.

answered Mar 18 '14 at 11:45

Nick Stevens
4,436 points

2

Reclaimer: as somebody who isn't a facilitator (or connected to Startup Weekend in anyway) it *is* a good place to meet your future cofounders. It's a good suggestion. – rbwhitaker 11 years ago