Steven Rutherford

I help early-stage founders turn product ideas into prototypes they can validate with customers and then form a delivery plan. I help translate messy ideas into actionable product, engineering, and business strategy, and build lean, effective engineering teams. I work with founders who don’t yet need a full-time CTO but need clarity, structure, and technical direction. Many are non-technical or stuck in chaos—unclear systems, misaligned teams, or scaling challenges. I provide the bridge between product, engineering, and business strategy, bringing structure without slowing momentum.

Across my 15 years experience in SaaS technology companies, I’ve built products, led teams, coached engineers, and advised founders. I operate with founders on technical strategy, teams of growth challenges and delivery of software. My focus: capable teams, clear systems, documented strategies and software architecture that is flexible and scales without slowing you down.

Focus

How I Help

  • Startup Prototypes: Turn vision into prototypes you can take to market and establish the scalable technical blueprints to launch.

  • Engineering Leadership Coaching: Build capable teams, set standards, and embed delivery practices before you need a full time CTO.

  • Hands-On Support: Review architecture, unblock teams, build frameworks and deliver towards your goals.

  • Setup hiring process and scaling: Setup your hiring systems and processes from scratch, and support you with strategic hires.

Services

Fractional CTO Advisory

Partner with you on technical strategy, team direction, and delivery. Clear guidance without hiring a full-time CTO.

$2k for 10 hours a month

Prototype Build and Delivery

Turn your idea into a testable prototype with a clear roadmap for scaling. One-month engagement.

$150 an hour

First Engineering Team Setup

Build your first engineering team, processes, and systems for long-term success. Includes advisory support and hiring frameworks.

$2500 fixed fee + $150 an hour