CTO+ (Fractional CTO Services)
One-Line Outcome
Helped iDare go from concept to 10K+ users in 7 months by building the product strategy, tech roadmap, AI integrations, hiring pipeline, and architecture — all led by ThinkAlternate’s CTO+.
The Challenge
iDare, a purpose-driven digital product focused on safety and empowerment, had no internal tech team and no clear roadmap. The founders needed a CTO-level expert to:
- Translate their idea into an executable product vision
- Architect scalable, secure tech foundations
- Integrate AI for real-time escalation and sentiment analysis
- Build an in-house team for long-term ownership
They didn’t want a short-term vendor. They needed a strategic partner who thinks like a co-founder.
The Strategy
ThinkAlternate stepped in as iDare’s CTO+:
- Co-created product vision, epics, and GTM timeline with the founder
- Created architecture for mobile + backend + AI integrations
- Managed sprints, scope, and tech strategy during build
- Advised on investor decks and milestone delivery
- Built hiring process and helped onboard in-house tech talent
Specific Use Cases Solved
- Churn Prevention – Redesigned onboarding based on user behavior analytics
- Revenue Modeling – Setup SaaS architecture + monetization model
- Tech Hiring – Hired lead engineer & QA via structured interviews
- Code Quality – Instituted CI/CD, Git branching, and code review protocols
- AI Integration – Integrated ChatGPT for real-time escalation & mood analysis
- User Growth – Collaborated with marketing on analytics-led feature planning
- Technical Debt – Introduced service boundaries and version control policies
Execution
- Flutter + Django + Supabase + AWS stack
- 3-month phased MVP with measurable OKRs
- Biweekly stakeholder calls with business + engineering
- Added custom AI layer using OpenAI + LangChain
Results
- 10,000+ active users within 7 months of launch
- MVP delivered in 84 days (initial estimate: 120)
- 2 successful feature updates post-launch
- eries A readiness achieved with 3-member tech team onboarded
Client Testimonial
“We didn’t just get a developer — we got a strategic CTO on our side. ThinkAlternate’s CTO+ helped us navigate chaos with clarity and build something that’s actually used, loved, and scalable.”
— Founder, iDare
Services Delivered
- CTO+ for Product Strategy & Execution
- MVP Planning & Go-to-Market Tech Roadmap
- Team Hiring & Skill Planning
- AI Integration & Product Analytics
Related Modules
- Foundry (engineering delivery)
- MIRSA (post-launch health dashboard)
- AppTron (deployment automation)
Call to Action
- Startups don’t fail for lack of ambition. They fail from lack of clarity.
- CTO+ helps you build what matters, avoid technical debt, and grow like a rocket — without wasting time, money, or investor trust.
