---
title: "Fractional CTO for SMEs | KL"
description: "Fractional CTO by KL: architecture, vendor selection, hiring and mentoring on fixed days each month. For managing directors responsible for technology."
canonical_url: "https://kevinludwig.com/en/leistungen/fractional-cto"
---

[Services](https://kevinludwig.com/en/leistungen)

Fractional CTO

# An experienced tech lead, without the hire.

You're responsible for technology but have no CTO in-house. We take on the part that needs experience: architecture decisions, choosing vendors and tools, hiring, mentoring your team and reporting to the board or investors.

[Book a first call](https://kevinludwig.com/en/kontakt#termin) [Or write to us, one sentence is enough.](https://kevinludwig.com/en/kontakt?anliegen=cto#anliegen)

- For whom

  For founders and managing directors who are responsible for technology but have no CTO in-house.

- Duration

  Monthly, ongoing

- Outcome

  Architecture reviews, reporting, mentoring, on call for outages

Fractional CTO is worth it when you make a decision on architecture or hiring every few weeks and have nobody in-house for it.

![Better Tomorrow GmbH](https://kevinludwig.com/_next/static/immutable/media/bettertomorrow.3gkah4mhsohd6.png)

> “Most technology experts understand too little about business, and vice versa. Kevin can do both. For our clients and projects, that means better solutions in less time.”

Timo Urbanietz Managing Director, Better Tomorrow GmbH Partner on client projects. Client since 2023

## Proven in these projects

- 4 roles

  Customer, project lead, business and observer in the same project, each sees their part

  [die macher: A project portal for construction projects that we run ourselves](https://kevinludwig.com/en/referenzen/diemacher-projektplattform-bauprojekte)

- Since 2020

  Fitness software, in operation since 2020.

  [GymLabs](https://kevinludwig.com/en/produkte)

## For founders, managing directors and digital teams.

You're growing, make an architecture or hiring decision every few weeks and need someone with the big picture, without creating a full-time role. Or you run a product we built and want someone who knows it to stay involved.

## Agreed results, not calls on demand.

For each month we agree what you get. Scope and days per month we settle in the call.

- ### Architecture reviews

  A regular look at code architecture, data model, scaling and cost.

- ### Choosing vendors and tools

  Build or buy, shortlists, contract reviews from a technical point of view.

- ### Hiring

  Sharpen job profiles, join technical interviews, help assess senior candidates.

- ### Reporting

  A monthly tech report for management, board or investors, ready to forward.

- ### Mentoring

  1:1 with your tech lead. Senior to senior, not beginner coaching.

- ### On call for emergencies

  For outages or urgent architecture questions, within the agreed window.

## What you can rely on.

- ### Fixed monthly amount

  You get a fixed monthly amount for the agreed scope up front. We only charge more if you commission additional work. Third-party costs, such as hosting or AI, are listed separately in the offer.

For businesses only. The written offer sets out the details, and your statutory rights remain in place.

## Common questions

How is it billed?

Monthly with a fixed amount for the agreed scope, not by the hour. We put the scope in writing after the first call.

How long is the term?

We recommend at least six months, because good guidance takes time. Notice periods are set in the contract.

How is confidentiality handled?

We sign an NDA before we start. Architecture, code access and reports stay confidential. Without your approval we use none of it for marketing, not even anonymised.

Are you responsible for running our production systems?

No. As Fractional CTO we guide architecture and strategy. Releases, incident response and on-call stay with your team. We help you set that up.

Can this turn into a product build?

Yes. The engagement often leads to a concrete project. Then we build it, with the context we already have.

## More on specific topics

- ### [AI consulting, Stuttgart region](https://kevinludwig.com/en/leistungen/ai-consulting-stuttgart)

  AI consulting in Stuttgart, Reutlingen and Tübingen. With software, not slides.

- ### [Shopify](https://kevinludwig.com/en/leistungen/shopify-development)

  Shopify stores that load fast and don't depend on a pile of apps.

## Who looks after technology at your company?

In 30 minutes we clarify your situation, the scope and whether it's a fit. Before you sign anything.

> “You can simply rely on him.”

Judith Hickel, Gloria Kollektiv e.V.

5.0 from 8 Google reviews

As of October 6, 2026. We don't verify whether reviews come from clients.

[Book a first call](https://kevinludwig.com/en/kontakt#termin)

[Or write to us, one sentence is enough.](https://kevinludwig.com/en/kontakt?anliegen=cto#anliegen)

On working days we usually reply within 24 hours.