Fractional CTOs in Detroit Making Things Happen in 2025

Detroit Interim Chief Technology Officers to Know

Detroit knows how to build. Once the global epicenter of automotive innovation, the Detroit–Warren–Dearborn metro is now at the heart of another evolution—this time in software, mobility tech, health IT, and industrial SaaS. But as companies scale across the region, one thing is clear: the need for modern, flexible tech leadership is growing fast.

Enter the fractional CTO.

Fractional Chief Technology Officers offer embedded, high-impact leadership at the intersection of product, platform, and growth. They help early- and growth-stage companies in Detroit navigate architectural decisions, scale internal teams, rebuild MVPs, and prepare for funding or acquisition—all without requiring a full-time executive commitment.

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a vetted list of fractional CTOs based in Detroit—leaders who are already guiding local companies through some of their most mission-critical technical decisions.

How We Selected Detroit’s Fractional CTOs

We apply the same criteria across all markets to maintain clarity and credibility:

✅ Publicly positioned as a fractional, interim, or embedded CTO
✅ Actively based in or serving the Detroit–Warren–Dearborn metro
✅ Track record of startup, scale-up, or technical transformation leadership
✅ Visible LinkedIn presence or firm affiliation
✅ Known for hands-on leadership, referenceable results, and real outcomes

These are not hypothetical CTOs—they’re operating in the field right now.

Detroit Fractional CTOs to Know

🔹 Greg Bastien

Fractional CTO | B2B Product Leader | Systems Strategist
Greg brings technical leadership to industrial startups, logistics firms, and early-stage SaaS companies throughout Michigan and the Midwest. With a background in systems engineering, he helps companies move from ad hoc codebases to clean, scalable, and maintainable platforms. Greg thrives in environments where structure and process need to catch up to product momentum.

🔍 Specialties: B2B SaaS, DevOps strategy, engineering leadership
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

🔹 Professor Tim Bates

Fractional CTO | Technical Architect | Engineering Educator
Known in Detroit tech circles as “The Godfather of Tech,” Professor Tim Bates combines teaching, system design, and executive strategy into a unique and highly impactful approach. He works with startups, workforce development programs, and growing orgs that need both vision and mentorship—often serving as a CTO, coach, and architect in one.

🔍 Specialties: Software engineering coaching, product roadmapping, infrastructure
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

🔹 Nick Lumsden

Fractional CTO | Infrastructure Expert | Startup Technologist
Nick has a long track record helping Detroit-area startups and SaaS firms modernize infrastructure, rebuild platforms, and align engineering execution with product strategy. As a fractional CTO, he supports founder-led orgs and scale-ups that need deep technical leadership—without rushing a full-time hire. He’s especially valuable during team restructuring or post-funding resets.

🔍 Specialties: Cloud platforms, DevOps, scaling early-stage engineering
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

🔹 Scott Goci

CTO-as-a-Service | Security Strategist | Fractional Technology Leader
Scott is known for his cybersecurity-first approach to product development and system architecture. He works as a fractional CTO with companies that need secure-by-design platforms—especially in healthcare, government, and regulated industries. In addition to his technical chops, Scott is a skilled communicator and product translator.

🔍 Specialties: Security architecture, regulated platforms, founder support
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

🔹 Dom O'Connor

Fractional CTO | Digital Product Specialist | Founder Whisperer
Dom partners with Detroit startups and PE-backed companies to build smarter roadmaps and more resilient platforms. With a background in both product and engineering, he bridges the gap between business and tech. Whether leading tech teams or working shoulder-to-shoulder with non-technical founders, Dom helps keep momentum—and code—clean.

🔍 Specialties: MVP to v2, stakeholder alignment, product-technical strategy
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

🔹 Jon Zeeff

Startup CTO | Fractional Engineering Advisor | Systems Innovator
Jon brings decades of experience leading technology strategy across startups and mid-market companies. As a fractional CTO, he advises on architecture, platform rebuilds, and technical due diligence. He’s also a mentor to young tech leads, helping companies build not just platforms—but teams that scale them.

🔍 Specialties: Software modernization, tech team coaching, scalability planning
📍 Based in: Ann Arbor–Detroit corridor

🔹 Marc Crawford

Fractional CTO | eCommerce & Logistics Technologist | Technical Advisor
Marc works across Detroit’s logistics, fulfillment, and ecommerce sectors, bringing clarity and control to high-volume systems. He’s especially strong in operations-heavy tech, and frequently leads platform redesigns for companies scaling beyond their initial customer base. His leadership is both strategic and hands-on—rare in logistics environments.

🔍 Specialties: Fulfillment tech, platform performance, growth alignment
📍 Based in: Detroit, MI

Why Detroit Companies Are Turning to Fractional CTOs

Detroit businesses are growing—but they’re doing it with intention. Whether it’s a founder-led company crossing 10 employees, a PE-backed firm prepping for transformation, or a startup scaling its first real engineering team, tech leadership is mission-critical—but doesn’t always require a full-time exec.

Common reasons Detroit teams bring in fractional CTOs:

• 📈 Scaling fast post-funding and need engineering structure
  
  
• 🧱 Rebuilding agency-developed MVPs for long-term use
  
  
• 🔍 Navigating technical due diligence or M&A
  
  
• 🧠 Coaching a junior or first-time CTO
  
  
• ⚙️ Migrating from on-prem to cloud or modern infrastructure
  
  

Fractional CTOs help businesses move faster, scale smarter, and reduce risk.

What These Leaders Bring to the Table

Detroit’s top fractional CTOs are trusted because they offer:

✅ Cross-sector experience (auto, logistics, SaaS, healthcare)
✅ Founder empathy and technical coaching
✅ The ability to stabilize teams while shipping product
✅ Trust with boards, investors, and internal stakeholders
✅ A Midwestern blend of execution, humility, and grit

They're not here for the title—they're here for the outcomes.

Related Reading 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: Detroit Tech Is on the Rise—and Fractional CTOs Are Lifting It Higher

Detroit is more than a comeback story—it’s a case study in sustainable innovation. The companies growing here don’t just need code—they need clarity, continuity, and confidence.

Fractional CTOs like Greg Bastien, Tim Bates, Nick Lumsden, Scott Goci, Dom O’Connor, Jon Zeeff, and Marc Crawford are already leading that charge—helping businesses turn engineering from a risk into a competitive advantage.

If your team is building something that matters, don’t let technical uncertainty slow you down.

Hire leadership that scales with your vision.

‍