How much does it cost to build an AI MVP?

An AI MVP with Zero to Ten typically starts with The Discovery Sprint (2-4 weeks) to validate the concept and define scope before any build investment. Full MVP development costs vary widely depending on complexity, but working with a solo fractional CTO like Rick Deacon is significantly more cost-effective than a dev agency.

How long does a Discovery Sprint take?

The Discovery Sprint runs 2-4 weeks. By the end, you have a Problem Validation report, Solution Architecture, AI Integration Map, Security Foundation recommendations, and a Launch Roadmap.

What's the difference between a fractional CTO and a dev shop?

A fractional CTO is embedded in your team, setting technical strategy, making architectural decisions, and being accountable for outcomes. A dev shop executes tickets and hands off code.

Do you work with non-technical founders?

Yes. Most clients are non-technical founders who have a clear problem and market insight but need a technical partner to translate that into a product.

What industries do you specialize in?

Rick Deacon has deep experience in cybersecurity, Web3, fintech, automotive, and B2B SaaS, spanning companies from Y Combinator-backed startups to Fortune 500 security clients.

What AI tools and frameworks do you use?

The stack depends on the use case. Common tools include OpenAI and Anthropic APIs for LLM integration, LangChain and custom agent frameworks for AI workflows, Supabase for real-time data and auth, and React/Vite for frontend.

How is this different from hiring a development agency?

Agencies are optimized for throughput across many clients. Zero to Ten is optimized for your outcome. Rick works directly on your product, no project managers, no handoffs, no scope creep.

What happens after the Discovery Sprint?

After the Discovery Sprint, you have three options: proceed to Build & Launch with Zero to Ten, take the deliverables to a team of your choosing, or use the roadmap to raise funding. No obligation to continue.

Do you offer ongoing support after launch?

Yes. After launch, ongoing support is available as a retainer covering technical strategy, AI systems maintenance, team hiring and management, and continued product development.

Why should I choose a solo builder over a firm?

Firms add overhead. With Zero to Ten, you pay for Rick's time and output directly. His background includes co-founding a YC startup (Apozy, W17), building and exiting RADwood to Hagerty, and launching Interlock to 30,000+ weekly users.

Leadership

When to Hire a Fractional CTO (And When Not To)

2026-02-20 · 7 min

Signs You Need a Fractional CTO

You're a non-technical founder with a validated idea and you're about to make critical technical decisions: stack selection, architecture, hiring your first engineer, preparing for investor due diligence. These decisions compound. Getting them right early creates a foundation you can build on for years. Getting them wrong means expensive refactoring when you should be growing.

You need someone who's made these decisions before, across multiple companies, at different scales. Someone who can translate your business requirements into architecture decisions and protect you from mistakes that look fine now but become painful at scale.

Signs You Don't

If you haven't validated your idea yet, you don't need a CTO. You need customer conversations. If you're a technical founder who just needs extra hands, you need a senior developer, not a CTO. If you have a clear spec and just need it built, a dev shop or freelancer might be more cost-effective.

A fractional CTO is most valuable when the decisions are ambiguous and the stakes are high. If the path is clear and you just need execution, save the money for when you actually face decisions that require senior judgment.

What to Look For

Look for someone who's built and shipped products, not just advised on them. The difference between a CTO who's been in the trenches and an advisor who gives opinions from the sideline is enormous. You want someone who can review a pull request on Monday, interview an engineering candidate on Tuesday, and present your technical strategy to investors on Wednesday.

Ask about their failures, not just their wins. A fractional CTO who's only succeeded probably hasn't been in enough hard situations. The scars from failures are what give you the pattern recognition to avoid repeating them.

How the Engagement Works

Typically 10-20 hours per week, scaled to your needs. Some weeks are heavier around key decisions, launches, or fundraising rounds. The engagement should be flexible and adjust as your startup evolves. The goal isn't to be your fractional CTO forever. It's to build the foundation, make the right early decisions, and help you hire your own team when the time is right.

Making the Decision

If you're facing technical decisions that will shape your company for years and you don't have the experience to make them confidently, a fractional CTO is worth the investment. If you're earlier than that, validate your idea first. If you're later than that, hire full-time. The fractional model works best at the inflection point between "idea" and "company."