Fractional CTOs in Austin Making Things Happen in 2025

Austin Interim Chief Technology Officers to Know

Austin isn’t just “the next Silicon Valley”—it’s its own ecosystem entirely. With a rich startup culture, top-tier technical talent, a wave of relocations, and a healthy mix of bootstrapped builders and venture-backed scale-ups, the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown metro is home to thousands of companies building fast and thinking long-term.

But while product momentum is easy to find in Austin, senior technical leadership often lags behind—especially in early- to mid-stage companies where hiring a full-time CTO may be premature or out of budget.

That’s where fractional CTOs are changing the game.

Fractional CTOs are embedded technology leaders—brought in to stabilize platforms, align roadmaps, coach engineering teams, and scale products with confidence. Whether they’re in the seat for 10 hours a week or 6 months during a key transition, they offer clarity, velocity, and trust at exactly the right moment.

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a set of Austin-area fractional CTOs who are actively reshaping what technical leadership looks like in one of the most energized tech cities in the world.

How We Curate Fractional CTOs

Our vetting process is consistent across regions. Each individual must:

✅ Operate as a fractional, interim, or embedded CTO
✅ Be based in or actively serving the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown metro area
✅ Have a public professional profile (LinkedIn, website, or advisory business)
✅ Show a track record of success at startups, scale-ups, or in transformation contexts
✅ Align with Digital Reference values: clarity, execution, and referenceable leadership

This is about results, not titles.

Austin Fractional CTOs to Know

🔹 Kent Steigerwald

Fractional CTO (and Tech-Enabled CFO) | Ops-Driven Product Strategist
While Kent is known for his finance chops, he’s deeply involved in technical product development—especially for ops-heavy SaaS and systems-based companies. He helps technical and non-technical founders create scalable internal infrastructures, build and manage teams, and guide platforms through high-growth inflection points. His combined business + tech fluency makes him a powerful strategic asset.

🔍 Specialties: SaaS systems, platform ops, business-technical alignment
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Jon Blair

Fractional CTO | Systems Builder | Startup Advisor
Jon blends technical strategy with team design, helping early- and mid-stage startups move past MVP mode and into systemized scale. As a fractional CTO, he’s often embedded during hiring pushes, product expansion, or platform rebuilds. His operational mindset makes him a valuable voice in both engineering decisions and executive planning.

🔍 Specialties: Team building, technical infrastructure, product execution
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Andi Ruda

CTO–CFO Hybrid | Tech-First Strategy Builder | Fractional Operator
Andi brings a multi-disciplinary approach to scaling startups—integrating finance, operations, and product leadership into one role. While she’s often called in for CFO support, she’s equally strong in technical leadership: helping teams stabilize infrastructure, improve dev workflows, and align roadmaps. She’s especially trusted by founders who want a fractional leader who can speak every operational language.

🔍 Specialties: Cross-functional leadership, technical systems, remote team ops
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Biff Jennings

Fractional CTO | Engineering Leader | Growth-Stage Technologist
Biff works with founder-led companies scaling beyond 10–50 employees, where product and engineering need to mature—fast. He brings a strong background in software architecture, agile team development, and hands-on platform execution. Whether it’s refactoring an MVP or standing up a high-trust engineering org, Biff brings strategic calm and a sharp product instinct.

🔍 Specialties: Agile leadership, platform design, team mentorship
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Steve Vickrey

Fractional CTO | DevOps Engineer | Embedded Technical Partner
Steve has deep technical roots and thrives in early- to mid-stage tech environments where clean code and reliable infrastructure are non-negotiable. As a fractional CTO, he partners with product and engineering teams to clean up legacy systems, streamline CI/CD pipelines, and ensure the backend can support front-end growth. Calm. Focused. Highly technical.

🔍 Specialties: DevOps, backend architecture, SaaS performance
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Alex Wittenberg

Fractional CTO | Full-Stack Systems Thinker | Technical Strategist
Alex brings full-stack expertise to product-oriented startups. He’s especially strong in aligning technical choices with customer needs, product timelines, and investor priorities. His hands-on approach means he’s often writing code and leading strategy simultaneously—making him ideal for lean teams looking to accelerate product growth without overhiring.

🔍 Specialties: MVP to v2 scale, full-stack architecture, team coaching
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Kristy O'Rourke

Fractional CTO | Security-Focused Technologist | Platform Architect
Kristy is a standout fractional leader for teams building in regulated or security-sensitive industries. She advises on platform hardening, SOC 2 prep, and scalable architecture that balances usability with risk mitigation. For fintechs, healthtech startups, or data-driven SaaS orgs, she brings peace of mind to engineering decisions.

🔍 Specialties: InfoSec, compliance, technical strategy
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

🔹 Michael Gish

Fractional CTO | Product–Tech Translator | Startup Sherpa
Michael helps growing teams “translate” their product vision into technical reality. With deep experience leading cross-functional teams, he’s a perfect fit for startups who need to unify sales, product, and engineering around a clear roadmap. He’s also a strong communicator with investors, making him a great partner for diligence or board-facing engagements.

🔍 Specialties: Product/tech alignment, stakeholder communication, scaling infrastructure
📍 Based in: Austin, TX

Why Austin Is a Prime City for Fractional CTOs

The Austin market is fast, founder-led, capital-rich, and platform-focused—but many companies aren’t ready (or willing) to lock in a $350K+ CTO hire. Instead, they want:

• 🧱 Real product and infrastructure leadership
  
  
• ⚙️ Help with engineering velocity and roadmap prioritization
  
  
• 🧠 Strategic insight on how to grow without technical debt
  
  
• 👥 Coaching for junior engineers or founders without tech backgrounds
  
  
• 📈 Technical due diligence support during fundraising
  
  

In every scenario, fractional CTOs offer leverage without liability.

What These CTOs Have in Common

Each leader featured here brings:

✅ Strategic clarity + operational muscle
✅ A founder-first mindset, especially in ambiguous or evolving orgs
✅ Trust—across investors, engineering teams, and boards
✅ Hands-on experience actually building things that scale
✅ An ability to lead without needing the spotlight

They don’t just plug in—they elevate the entire company.

Related Resources 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: Austin’s Startup Scene Doesn’t Slow Down—So Why Should Your Tech Leadership?

Austin startups are shipping faster, raising smarter, and growing leaner than ever. But product without leadership? That’s a risk no team can afford.

That’s why fractional CTOs like Kent Steigerwald, Jon Blair, Andi Ruda, Biff Jennings, Steve Vickrey, Alex Wittenberg, Kristy O'Rourke, and Michael Gish are in such high demand. They offer embedded clarity at critical moments—no ego, no fluff, just results.

If your product is gaining traction and your team is gaining speed, don’t wait.
Hire a CTO who fits your stage—not just your wishlist.

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