Fractional CTOs in Raleigh-Durham Making Things Happen
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Fractional CTOs in Raleigh-Durham Making Things Happen in 2025
Raleigh-Durham Interim Chief Technology Officers to Know
The Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill region—often referred to as the Research Triangle—has long been known for its top-tier universities, biotech breakthroughs, and legacy tech infrastructure. But over the past decade, the Triangle has transformed into one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the country, with a surge of SaaS, healthtech, edtech, and climate-tech companies fueling the next generation of growth.
But here’s the thing: technical momentum outpaces hiring.Founders are building fast, but often without a senior technical leader in place.
That’s where fractional CTOs come in.
Fractional Chief Technology Officers embed into early-stage and growth-focused companies, offering critical support in architecture, hiring, roadmap alignment, and infrastructure—without the full-time salary or long-term risk. They help founders make better decisions faster and build tech that doesn’t just work, but scales.
At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of Raleigh–Durham-area fractional CTOs already helping teams move from MVP to scale with confidence and clarity.
Our Methodology for Selecting Fractional CTOs to Feature in Raleigh
Each professional below meets the following criteria:
✅ Publicly positioned as a fractional, interim, or embedded CTO
✅ Based in or actively supporting companies across the Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill area
✅ Demonstrated technical leadership in high-growth or transformation contexts
✅ Clear public presence (LinkedIn, firm, or referral visibility)
✅ Alignment with Digital Reference values: clarity, execution, trust, and referenceability
Raleigh-Durham Fractional CTO Service Providers to Know
Zach Smith
About: Zach is a fractional CTO and product technologist with a background in fintech, healthtech, and enterprise SaaS. Known for his ability to turn strategic business needs into technical outcomes, he supports startups from concept validation to late-stage scale.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Brings a product-first mindset to platform and system design
- Skilled in data architecture, compliance, and growth-stage planning
- Strong leadership in aligning engineering with market goals
Bill Martschenko
About: Bill is a veteran software executive and fractional CTO who supports both enterprise and startup clients across logistics, finance, and consumer tech. He provides end-to-end technical guidance, from legacy modernization to agile team leadership.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Deep expertise in transitioning from legacy to cloud-native stacks
- Combines technical rigor with executive presence
- Trusted for long-term tech strategy and delivery coaching
Neil Barnett
About: Neil is a fractional CTO and platform architect who helps organizations scale cloud infrastructure, refine product strategy, and streamline dev operations. He has a strong track record working with venture-backed SaaS companies through rapid growth phases.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Exceptional at aligning infrastructure with business roadmaps
- Skilled in building secure, performant, and scalable platforms
- Known for helping teams adopt mature dev processes quickly
Andrew Hamberg
About: Andrew is founder of H2DS Connect and a fractional CTO focused on digital health, SaaS, and mission-driven tech. With experience across startup and nonprofit sectors, he brings thoughtful leadership to both technical architecture and team design.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Expertise in healthtech, HIPAA-compliant systems, and APIs
- Empowers founders with clear tech planning and vendor oversight
- Delivers structure while maintaining agility in lean orgs
Porter Bayne
About: Porter is a product-driven fractional CTO who helps early-stage founders build platforms that balance usability, security, and scale. With a strong background in UX, data, and compliance, he brings clarity to complex product decisions.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Great at bridging design, product, and engineering functions
- Trusted for GDPR, SOC2, and data governance leadership
- Experience launching both B2B and consumer-focused platforms
Robert Couture
About: Robert is a fractional CTO and tech operations advisor who partners with startups and scaleups to optimize systems architecture, developer velocity, and tech debt management. He helps growing teams move fast without breaking things.
Why they stand out as a Fractional CTO:
- Pragmatic operator with strong team-building skills
- Focuses on reducing friction between product and engineering
Brings a delivery-first mindset to complex technical environments
Why Companies in the Triangle Are Going Fractional
Raleigh–Durham startups are built differently. Many are founded by scientists, engineers, or policy-driven innovators. Others are emerging from university labs or local accelerator programs. But what they have in common is a need for experienced technical leadership without prematurely locking in a high-cost executive.
Here’s when we see fractional CTOs step in:
- 🧠 Non-technical founders need product guidance
- 🧱 MVPs are breaking under early traction
- 👥 Engineering teams need mentorship and hiring support
- 📈 Companies are prepping for diligence or investment rounds
- 🛠️ Systems need structure, security, or a rebuild
In each case, fractional CTOs provide just-in-time leadership—offering clarity without slowing down momentum.
What Makes Triangle Fractional CTOs So Effective
The best fractional CTOs in this region bring a blend of:
✅ Deep technical experience across SaaS, AI, biotech, and healthtech
✅ Empathy for mission-aligned, founder-led companies
✅ Startup fluency with the ability to scale fast and lean
✅ Cross-discipline collaboration with product, marketing, and revenue teams
✅ Credibility with investors and boards when stakes are high
They’re not just consultants—they’re embedded builders and trusted guides.
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Final Word: Raleigh–Durham Doesn’t Just Need Talent—It Needs Trusted Technical Leadership
Startups in the Triangle are solving real problems—from cancer diagnostics to digital infrastructure to climate mitigation. These are not simple software plays—they’re complex businesses that deserve leadership that understands how to build long-term value.
That’s why fractional CTOs like Tim Toterhi and Kathy Weaver are already deeply embedded across the region—offering wisdom, technical fluency, and a calm, strategic presence.
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If your team is at a critical moment, don’t overthink your next hire.
Think smaller, smarter, and more aligned.
Hire a fractional CTO who can lead right now.
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