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: How We Select Fractional CTOs

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.

Charlotte Fractional CTOs to Know

🔹 Matthew Bruening

Fractional CTO | SaaS Engineer | Growth-Stage Strategist
Matthew works with early-stage and mid-market SaaS companies to transform their tech infrastructure and build scalable, secure platforms. Known for his methodical approach, he excels at taking overgrown MVPs and turning them into stable, growth-ready products. He also partners closely with founders and internal teams to mentor technical staff and plan long-term product roadmaps.

🔍 Specialties: SaaS architecture, engineering process, founder support
📍 Based in: Charlotte, NC

🔹 George Linville

Fractional CTO | Tech Executive Advisor | Product-Focused Leader
George is a Charlotte-based fractional CTO who helps B2B and B2C companies structure engineering organizations and align their technical roadmaps with go-to-market priorities. He thrives in dynamic environments where product needs outpace engineering clarity—and brings a calm, strategic mindset to fast-scaling teams. George is especially valuable in helping leadership teams prioritize smartly across features, bugs, and technical debt.

🔍 Specialties: Engineering team scaling, product-technical alignment, systems clarity
📍 Based in: Charlotte, NC

Note: We expect to add additional vetted fractional CTOs in the Charlotte region over time. Interested in being featured? Contact us here.

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 Leaders 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.

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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