Fractional CTO & Technology Operating Partner
Stop Making Technology Decisions
Without a CTO in the Room.
Infrastructure risk assessments, technology due diligence, and fractional CTO leadership for companies that need executive-level technology guidance without the full-time cost.
We work directly with private equity firms, CEOs, and leadership teams to align technology strategy with business growth, security, and long-term operational success.
Who We Work With
- Private equity firms seeking technology due diligence
- PE portfolio companies with infrastructure or IT leadership gaps
- Mid-market companies ($40M–$400M) scaling through technology
- Companies in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail
25+ Years of Technology Leadership · Global Enterprise to Mid-Market · Financial Services, Healthcare & Manufacturing
When Companies Typically Bring Us In
Companies engage Vertex CTO Advisory when:
- Technology decisions are slowing growth or creating operational friction
- Leadership needs independent guidance on IT strategy and investments
- Cybersecurity risk and compliance requirements are increasing
- Existing IT vendors are not delivering the strategic value expected
- The company has outgrown its current technology leadership
- A private equity firm needs technology due diligence on an acquisition target or portfolio company
What We Do
Services
From pre-acquisition diligence to post-close execution — we provide technology leadership across the full investment and business lifecycle.
Fractional CTO
Executive technology leadership to help your business scale, reduce risk, and make smarter technology investments — without hiring a full-time CTO.
Learn More →Technology Roadmap
A clear plan for how technology should support your business over the next 3–5 years — including infrastructure, cloud, security, and systems that scale as you grow.
Learn More →Cybersecurity Oversight
Executive oversight to reduce cyber risk, strengthen security controls, and ensure your organization is prepared for modern threats and compliance requirements.
Learn More →Vendor Selection
Independent guidance to help leadership choose the right technology vendors, avoid unnecessary tools, and ensure technology investments deliver real business value.
Learn More →IT Budget Planning
Technology budgeting and planning that aligns IT investments with business priorities, reduces surprise costs, and ensures technology spending supports long-term growth.
Learn More →MSP Oversight
Independent oversight to ensure your managed service providers deliver the performance, security, and strategic guidance your business expects.
Learn More →Technology Due Diligence
A structured assessment of infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, vendor contracts, and IT risk — designed for private equity firms evaluating acquisition targets or managing portfolio company technology.
Learn More →Post-Acquisition IT Integration
Hands-on technology leadership in the critical 90 days after a deal closes. We assess what was inherited, identify immediate risks, stabilize operations, and build the technology roadmap that sets the portfolio company up for growth.
Learn More →Portfolio Technology Assessment
A rapid evaluation of a portfolio company’s current technology environment — covering infrastructure health, cybersecurity posture, vendor performance, and IT team capabilities. Delivered as an executive-level report with a prioritized risk register and 90-day action plan.
Learn More →How We Work
Our Engagement Model
A structured engagement model designed to bring clarity to technology decisions and ensure IT supports long-term business growth.
Evaluate
We assess your current technology environment, cybersecurity posture, vendor relationships, and IT capabilities — producing a risk register and executive-level findings that leadership, boards, and investment committees can act on.
Define Strategy
Working with leadership, we develop a practical technology roadmap with a prioritized 100-day action plan. This includes infrastructure planning, cybersecurity priorities, vendor rationalization, cost optimization targets, and a clear path to integration readiness.
Lead Execution
As your fractional CTO, we drive execution — not just strategy. We own vendor oversight, budget accountability, security remediation, and board-ready reporting to ensure initiatives deliver measurable EBITDA impact.
Continuous Guidance
Technology strategy evolves as the business grows. We remain embedded with leadership — providing portfolio-level visibility, recurring technology health checks, and the operating discipline that supports long-term value creation.
Typical Engagement
What a Fractional CTO Engagement Looks Like
A typical engagement with Vertex CTO Advisory is designed to provide leadership with ongoing technology guidance while ensuring key initiatives move forward.
Executive Strategy Meetings
Regular meetings with leadership to review technology priorities, major initiatives, and upcoming decisions that impact the business.
Technology Roadmap Oversight
Ongoing guidance to ensure technology initiatives stay aligned with the company's strategic goals, budget, and operational needs.
Vendor & Provider Oversight
Evaluation and management of technology vendors, MSPs, and service providers to ensure performance, accountability, and value.
Cybersecurity & Risk Leadership
Continuous evaluation of security posture, emerging risks, and improvements needed to protect the organization.
Major Technology Decisions
Guidance on infrastructure upgrades, cloud initiatives, software platforms, vendor selection, and other strategic investments.
Board & Leadership Reporting
Clear communication to executives or boards regarding technology priorities, risks, and progress against the roadmap.
How We Engage
Service Packages Built Around the Deal Lifecycle
We structure engagements around how investors and operators actually buy — starting with clarity, then moving to execution.
Pre-Close
Technology Diligence Sprint
2–4 week review of infrastructure, security, vendors, delivery risk, and likely post-close priorities.
Fixed project fee
Post-Close
100-Day Stabilization Plan
Initial roadmap, risk remediation, reporting cadence, vendor rationalization, and governance setup.
Fixed fee + optional retainer
Hold Period
Fractional CTO Retainer
1–2 days per week of embedded technology leadership for a specific portfolio company.
Monthly retainer
Portfolio-Level
Portfolio Health Check Program
Semiannual reviews across multiple portfolio companies with standardized scorecards and intervention priorities.
Portfolio retainer
Let’s Talk About Your Technology.
Whether you need technology due diligence, infrastructure risk assessment, or fractional CTO leadership — the first conversation is always free.
Two ways to start.
Both reach Tom directly. The first conversation is always free.
Typical response within 24 hours.