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Fractional CTOs in Charlotte Making Things Happen in 2025
Charlotte Interim Chief Technology Officers to Know
Charlotte has long been a financial powerhouse, but today it's also one of the most dynamic tech markets in the Southeast. With startups sprouting up across fintech, healthcare, logistics, edtech, and real estate technology, the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia metro is evolving into a regional innovation hub. But with growth comes complexity—and not every company is ready (or able) to hire a full-time CTO.
That’s where fractional CTOs step in.
These embedded, part-time, or interim technology leaders help growing companies develop scalable infrastructure, launch better products, and align tech execution with business strategy. And they do it quickly—without the time and cost of a traditional executive search.
At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of Charlotte-area fractional CTOs who are already leading teams through product launches, platform re-architecture, and growth-stage transitions—all while building real trust with the operators and founders they support.
Our Methodology: Charlotte Part-time & Fractional CTO Services
Every technology leader featured here meets our Digital Reference standards:
✅ Publicly positioned as a fractional, interim, or embedded CTO
✅ Based in or actively serving the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia metro area
✅ Demonstrated experience leading startups, digital transformations, or engineering teams
✅ Clear digital presence (LinkedIn, firm profile, or public work)
✅ Strong alignment with our values: reputation, execution, and relationship-driven leadership
This is about operators with impact, not just resumes.
Featured Charlotte Fractional CTOs
Bryan Dennstedt
About: Bryan is a fractional CTO and AI innovator leading projects through Bry AI. With a strong foundation in machine learning and SaaS architecture, he helps startups integrate intelligent systems and data-driven workflows early in their build.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Deep expertise in AI integration and ML-driven product design
- Skilled at aligning data strategy with business outcomes
- Trusted for hands-on mentorship of engineering teams
Grant Ingersoll
About: Grant is the founder of Developmentor and a veteran CTO with experience at both startups and enterprise levels. He advises as a fractional CTO on UX-centered architecture, full-stack engineering, and scaling digital products with performance and resilience in mind.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Balances user-focused design with robust backend systems
- Deep experience coaching teams through rapid scaling
- Known for building systems with longevity and impact
Justin Schaefer
About: Justin is a wearable-tech and IoT specialist who now works as a fractional CTO for hardware-enabled startups. He helps teams navigate embedded systems, connectivity challenges, and the bridge between hardware and scalable software ecosystems.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Expert in healthcare, wearables, and connected-device scaling
- Bridges hardware complexity with cloud architecture
- Strong communicator across multi-disciplinary teams
Jim Foley
LinkedIn | Blueprint Nexus Consulting
About: Jim is the founder of Blueprint Nexus and a fractional CTO with deep expertise in legacy modernization and enterprise software transformation. He helps companies migrating from monolithic systems to modular, cloud-native platforms charged by product-first thinking.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Specialized in refactoring legacy stacks for agility
- Focused on mentoring teams through architectural change
- Skilled in aligning engineering work with product strategy
Justin Jones
About: Justin is a fractional CTO and growth-phase tech advisor with roots in B2B SaaS and high-growth startups. He brings a pragmatic approach to product delivery, platform scaling, and engineering operations uplift.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Skilled at platform optimization and technical debt reduction
- Experience accelerating teams while maintaining quality
- Data-driven planner with a focus on engineering efficiency
Why Charlotte Startups Are Hiring Fractional CTOs
Charlotte companies are scaling differently—leaner, faster, and often with more focus on profit than pure growth-at-all-costs. That means CTO hiring must be strategic.
We see local companies engaging fractional CTOs when:
- 🚀 An MVP is running, but scale and reliability are now priorities
- 📉 A product or dev agency has failed to meet expectations
- 🧱 Internal engineering teams need leadership, mentorship, and structure
- 💰 A fundraise or exit requires clean systems and clear architecture
- 🔄 There's a need to reorient engineering efforts around customer feedback or retention
Fractional CTOs help these businesses navigate transition moments with clarity and speed—without over-hiring or slowing down.
What Makes These Fractional CTOs Effective
The Charlotte-based fractional CTOs we spotlight here offer:
✅ Platform experience across SaaS, logistics, fintech, and ops-heavy tech
✅ Founder-first thinking: empathetic, communicative, action-oriented
✅ Experience leading engineering teams through scale and change
✅ Clean systems thinking—technical architecture meets product priorities
✅ Trusted, referenceable relationships across the Southeast startup community
They’re not trying to take over. They’re here to build what’s next.
Related Content from Digital Reference
📘 How to Hire a Fractional Executive
A practical guide for founders and operators navigating interim leadership.
📍 The Importance of Professional References
Explore why third-party credibility is more critical than ever in today’s trust-driven hiring market.
📍 Find Local Fractional CTOs & Chief Technology Officers Near Me
Explore why third-party credibility is more critical than ever in today’s trust-driven hiring market.
📘 Collecting Professional References: The Dos and Don’ts
References are often the make-or-break element of your next opportunity. Yet many professionals still treat the reference process as an afterthought or, worse, scramble to collect them last minute.
📗 The Talent Ecosystem: Why Fractional Operators Are Reshaping the C-Suite
Explore the structural shifts behind the rise of fractional leadership and what it means for your next hire.
Final Word: Charlotte Tech Is Growing on Its Own Terms—And Fractional CTOs Fit the Model
Charlotte companies don’t follow hype cycles. They build solid products, focus on customers, and scale with intention. That’s why fractional CTOs like Matthew Bruening and George Linville are already in high demand across the region.
City Spotlights of of Part-time & Fractional CTOs in the USA
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Boston - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Chicago - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Dallas–Fort Worth - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Denver - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Detroit - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Houston - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Jacksonville - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Las Vegas - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Los Angeles - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Miami - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Minneapolis - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Nashville - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Naples - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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New York City- Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Orlando - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Phoenix - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Pittsburgh - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Portland - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Raleigh–Durham - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Sacramento - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Salt Lake City - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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San Antonio - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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San Diego - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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San Francisco- Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Seattle - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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St. Louis - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Tampa - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Washington DC - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
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Whether you’re launching your first product, replacing a dev agency, or scaling up after funding, fractional leadership gives you the strategy and structure without the full-time risk.
Charlotte doesn’t need Silicon Valley flash. It needs tech leadership that listens, guides, and gets it done.
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