Best Fractional CTO Services in San Francisco

San Francisco's Best Outsourced CTO Services, Fractional CTO, & Virtual CTO Services

San Francisco has long been the epicenter of technological innovation. It’s where code becomes companies, and where ambitious ideas go from whiteboard to IPO. But not every startup or scaling venture can afford—or even needs—a full-time CTO. That’s where fractional CTOs come in, and in the Bay Area, they’re making things happen in a big way.

At Digital Reference, we believe in spotlighting professionals not just for their titles, but for their real-world impact. We exist to create a more radically transparent and radically authentic talent ecosystem. That means giving the spotlight to those who may operate behind the scenes, but whose influence is foundational.

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Our Methodology: San Francisco Fractional CTO, Virtual CTO Services, and Outsourced CTOs

This curated list introduces some of the most trusted fractional CTOs in San Francisco, including independent operators, advisors, and part-time executives who help shape the city’s ever-evolving startup landscape.

• Each professional is based in or actively works with companies in the SF Bay Area
• We prioritize leaders with client-facing fractional or interim CTO services
• We evaluate public presence, depth of experience, and industry alignment

This is a living list—expect updates, additions, and ongoing discoveries. Let’s dive in.

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Meet The Best Fractional CTO, Virtual CTO, & Outsourced CTO Services in San Francisco

Brian Jett

Brian Jett brings Silicon Valley experience to early-stage startups as a fractional CTO and hands-on product leader. He excels at turning founder vision into viable, scalable software while building lean, high-performing engineering teams.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for early-stage startups
📑 Product-market fit, MVP development, and team building
💬 Empathetic, calm, and solutions-oriented approach

Brian is ideal for founders navigating pivots or building their first SaaS product.

Oksana Isakov (Gartvich)

Founder, Kind Heart Labs & Purpozli

Oksana Isakov blends engineering leadership with mission-driven operations. She helps startups in healthtech, edtech, and impact sectors build user-centered, scalable, and privacy-conscious platforms.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for mission-driven and tech-first startups
📑 Inclusive engineering team design and tech strategy alignment
💬 Collaborative and product-fluent, balancing speed with sustainability

Oksana is best for founders who want purpose-aligned tech leadership with long-term impact.

Matt Darling

Founder, CTO Bridge

Matt Darling offers fractional CTO guidance for startups and scale-ups, focusing on architecture, MVP execution, and building durable product teams. He helps founders make tech decisions that empower rather than overwhelm.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for early-stage and venture-backed startups
📑 Architecture strategy, MVP development, and team enablement
💬 Visionary yet practical, helping teams scale without chaos

Matt is ideal for SF founders looking to de-risk product development and scale responsibly.

Steve Mushero

Website: stevemushero.com

Steve Mushero is a global technology executive, author, and advisor providing fractional CTO services to startups and enterprises. He specializes in operationalizing engineering, creating scalable and secure systems, particularly in regulated or high-stakes industries.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for healthcare, fintech, and infrastructure startups
📑 Engineering operations, platform scalability, and secure systems
💬 Globally minded, strategic, and human-centered

Steve is best for companies seeking high-level tech leadership with operational rigor and strategic insight.

Evan Willms

Evan Willms provides fractional CTO services for startups and growth-stage companies, especially in B2B SaaS. He bridges the gap between prototype and production, aligning architecture, engineering culture, and performance metrics with business goals.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for SaaS and scaling startups
📑 Systems architecture, team performance, and hiring strategy
💬 Technical depth paired with business acumen

Evan is ideal for startups looking to scale thoughtfully without sacrificing maintainability.

Steve Petersen

Steve Petersen brings a product-led approach to fractional CTO work, helping companies align technology roadmaps with business objectives. He supports startups in SaaS, marketplaces, and digital product development, mentoring teams and technical founders alike.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for product-focused startups
📑 Tech roadmap alignment, codebase optimization, and internal talent development
💬 Mentor for first-time technical executives

Steve is best for startups seeking operational maturity and product-aligned technology leadership.

Christopher Deppe

Christopher Deppe specializes in AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise integrations. He works with seed to post-Series B startups, guiding platform architecture, codebase audits, and CTO transitions with precision and systems thinking.

Highlights:
🏢 Fractional CTO for AI-driven and high-growth startups
📑 Platform re-architecture, code audits, and high-growth transitions
💬 Systems thinker with technical precision and ethical focus

Christopher is ideal for startups needing scalable, sustainable, and technically robust solutions.

Why Fractional CTOs Are Flourishing in San Francisco

San Francisco is known for founders who think big—but even bold visions need operational backbone. Enter the fractional CTO: the operator who helps dreamers ship and scale.

In a city where capital efficiency matters more than ever, fractional CTOs are giving startups and mid-stage companies:

• Executive-caliber leadership without full-time cost
• Technical strategy aligned with investor goals
• Hands-on mentorship for growing teams
• Objective clarity during inflection points and transitions

They’re also ideal for:

• Technical co-founder gaps
• Interim leadership during exec searches
• Product launches, rebuilds, or scale phases

Fractional CTOs are no longer a stopgap. In SF, they’re a strategic asset.

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At Digital Reference, We Do Talent Differently

We created Digital Reference because résumés don’t capture the full story. We’re building a platform that puts proof of work, verified references, and authenticity at the forefront.

Whether you’re a startup seeking your next fractional leader or a CTO looking to build a stronger reputation, Digital Reference helps you:

• Capture your real-world accomplishments
• Create a verified portfolio with client feedback
• Share work publicly—on your terms
• Connect with companies ready to invest in expertise

This isn’t about flashy bios. It’s about surfacing trusted professionals doing meaningful work.

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Add Yourself or Nominate a Leader a Bay Area CTO

This list of San Francisco’s top fractional CTOs will evolve—and we’re excited to keep building it.

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City Spotlights of of Part-time & Fractional CTOs in the USA

Ann Arbor - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Ann Arbor Making Things Happen

Atlanta - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Atlanta Making Things Happen

Austin - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Austin Making Things Happen

Boston - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Boston Making Things Happen

Charlotte - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Charlotte Making Things Happen

Chicago - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Chicago Making Things Happen

Dallas–Fort Worth - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Dallas–Fort Worth Making Things Happen

Denver - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Denver Making Things Happen

Detroit - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Detroit Making Things Happen

Houston - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Houston Making Things Happen

Jacksonville - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Jacksonville Making Things Happen

Las Vegas - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Las Vegas Making Things Happen

Los Angeles - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Los Angeles Making Things Happen

Miami - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Miami Making Things Happen

Minneapolis - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Minneapolis Making Things Happen

Nashville - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Nashville Making Things Happen

Naples - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Naples Making Things Happen

New York City- Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in New York City Making Things Happen

Orlando - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Orlando Making Things Happen

Phoenix - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Phoenix Making Things Happen

Pittsburgh - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Pittsburgh Making Things Happen

Portland - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Portland Making Things Happen

Raleigh–Durham - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Raleigh–Durham Making Things Happen

Sacramento - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Sacramento Making Things Happen

Salt Lake City - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Salt Lake City Making Things Happen

San Antonio - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in San Antonio Making Things Happen

San Diego - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in San Diego Making Things Happen

Seattle - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Seattle Making Things Happen

St. Louis - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in St. Louis Making Things Happen

Tampa - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Tampa Making Things Happen

Washington DC - Virtual CTOs & Outsourced CTO Services
Fractional CTOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen

If you’re a founder, investor, or ecosystem operator and know someone who should be featured, let us know. And if you’re a fractional CTO ready to be seen for the full scope of what you do, we’d love to feature you.

Let’s keep building a more transparent, effective, and human way to connect talent and opportunity.

– The Digital Reference Team