Fractional CPO + CTO for VC-Backed Startups
I partner with founders to validate product-market fit, architect scalable tech, and ship fast — without full-time overhead. I work with VC-funded startups from Seed to Series B to:
Hit product-market fit with less guesswork
Architect modern, scalable platforms
Align teams around strategic roadmaps
Accelerate time-to-value with lean, focused execution
“We grew weekly active users by 3x within 90 days of working with Mike—he turned our roadmap into a growth engine.”
— Jordan Lee, CEO at Finlet
“Thanks to Mike’s strategic leadership, we delivered our MVP 6 weeks early and raised $2.4M in seed funding.”
Pranav Bhatt, Co-Founder at PlanFinder
Product Expert
Fractional CPO & CTO for VC-Backed Startups Ready to Scale
From MVP to Growth — I Help Founders Align Product Strategy, Build Scalable Tech, and Deliver Results.

Available for work
I'm Michael Hands, a Fractional CPO & CTO trusted by founders and VCs to bridge vision and execution. I specialize in launching high-impact digital products, architecting scalable tech stacks, and driving cross-functional alignment — from early product discovery to hypergrowth execution.
Product Strategy
Roadmap Planning
Product Launch
Discovery
Market Research
Process Design
Go-to-Market
Hiring & Coaching
Fractional CPO & CTO
How it works
Process Is Everything
Simple, streamlined process is what get's you results
1
Strategic Alignment Call
Clarify vision, context, and critical needs.
We start with a strategic deep-dive to understand your business model, growth stage, product goals, tech maturity, and team dynamics. This ensures we align on the outcomes that matter most.
Step 1
2
Portfolio Diagnostic or Discovery Sprint
Assess product-market fit, team structure, and technical readiness.
I conduct a focused diagnostic or discovery sprint to identify key bottlenecks and opportunities — from roadmap gaps and UX issues to tech debt and organizational friction.
Step 2
3
Execute & Enable
Own product/tech delivery or coach your leaders to do it.
Depending on your needs, I can lead product and tech delivery directly, or support your teams through coaching, roadmap execution, org design, or decision support. Think of me as your embedded product/tech exec — without full-time overhead.
Step 3
4
Scale & Handoff
Build in systems for scale, then phase out cleanly.
My goal is to make myself obsolete. We’ll put in place the people, systems, and processes that enable your continued growth after engagement — including hiring help if needed.
Step 4
1
Strategic Alignment Call
Clarify vision, context, and critical needs.
We start with a strategic deep-dive to understand your business model, growth stage, product goals, tech maturity, and team dynamics. This ensures we align on the outcomes that matter most.
Step 1
2
Portfolio Diagnostic or Discovery Sprint
Assess product-market fit, team structure, and technical readiness.
I conduct a focused diagnostic or discovery sprint to identify key bottlenecks and opportunities — from roadmap gaps and UX issues to tech debt and organizational friction.
Step 2
3
Execute & Enable
Own product/tech delivery or coach your leaders to do it.
Depending on your needs, I can lead product and tech delivery directly, or support your teams through coaching, roadmap execution, org design, or decision support. Think of me as your embedded product/tech exec — without full-time overhead.
Step 3
4
Scale & Handoff
Build in systems for scale, then phase out cleanly.
My goal is to make myself obsolete. We’ll put in place the people, systems, and processes that enable your continued growth after engagement — including hiring help if needed.
Step 4
1
Strategic Alignment Call
Clarify vision, context, and critical needs.
We start with a strategic deep-dive to understand your business model, growth stage, product goals, tech maturity, and team dynamics. This ensures we align on the outcomes that matter most.
Step 1
2
Portfolio Diagnostic or Discovery Sprint
Assess product-market fit, team structure, and technical readiness.
I conduct a focused diagnostic or discovery sprint to identify key bottlenecks and opportunities — from roadmap gaps and UX issues to tech debt and organizational friction.
Step 2
3
Execute & Enable
Own product/tech delivery or coach your leaders to do it.
Depending on your needs, I can lead product and tech delivery directly, or support your teams through coaching, roadmap execution, org design, or decision support. Think of me as your embedded product/tech exec — without full-time overhead.
Step 3
4
Scale & Handoff
Build in systems for scale, then phase out cleanly.
My goal is to make myself obsolete. We’ll put in place the people, systems, and processes that enable your continued growth after engagement — including hiring help if needed.
Step 4
I am with you in every step
alongside you at each step for seamless experience
Product Development
Product Services
Product & Technology Services for Startups
Product Strategy & Roadmap Planning
Build and align product strategy that supports investor goals, customer value, and long-term scale. I help teams define north-star metrics, product bets, and quarterly roadmaps grounded in data and opportunity.

Product Strategy & Roadmap Planning
Build and align product strategy that supports investor goals, customer value, and long-term scale. I help teams define north-star metrics, product bets, and quarterly roadmaps grounded in data and opportunity.

Product Strategy & Roadmap Planning
Build and align product strategy that supports investor goals, customer value, and long-term scale. I help teams define north-star metrics, product bets, and quarterly roadmaps grounded in data and opportunity.

Product Team Design & Coaching
Help you recruit, structure, and enable high-performing cross-functional teams. Includes defining team charters, leveling frameworks, and agile operating rhythms.
Product Team Design & Coaching
Help you recruit, structure, and enable high-performing cross-functional teams. Includes defining team charters, leveling frameworks, and agile operating rhythms.
Product Team Design & Coaching
Help you recruit, structure, and enable high-performing cross-functional teams. Includes defining team charters, leveling frameworks, and agile operating rhythms.
Product-Market Fit Discovery
Design and lead lean validation sprints, structured user interviews, competitor teardown, and iterative MVP delivery to rapidly test assumptions and identify scalable product-market fit.
Product-Market Fit Discovery
Design and lead lean validation sprints, structured user interviews, competitor teardown, and iterative MVP delivery to rapidly test assumptions and identify scalable product-market fit.
Product-Market Fit Discovery
Design and lead lean validation sprints, structured user interviews, competitor teardown, and iterative MVP delivery to rapidly test assumptions and identify scalable product-market fit.
Technical Architecture & Scaling
Review or design modern, scalable tech architecture aligned with business needs — covering everything from API layer, integrations, and modular UI, to backend performance and future extensibility.
Technical Architecture & Scaling
Review or design modern, scalable tech architecture aligned with business needs — covering everything from API layer, integrations, and modular UI, to backend performance and future extensibility.
Technical Architecture & Scaling
Review or design modern, scalable tech architecture aligned with business needs — covering everything from API layer, integrations, and modular UI, to backend performance and future extensibility.
Product-Market Fit
MVP Development
Technical Architecture
Growth Strategy
Custom Code
Investor Readiness
Agile Operating Models
Developer Velocity
Analytics Setup
Roadmaps & OKRs
Why choose me
Why me as Fractional CPO & CTO
Why Partner with Me for the Design Excellence
Startup Acceleration & Product-Market Fit
Validate product-market fit with expert discovery, user research, and iterative MVP execution.
Rescue or Turnaround Support
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Startup Acceleration & Product-Market Fit
Validate product-market fit with expert discovery, user research, and iterative MVP execution.
Rescue or Turnaround Support
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Founder/Exec Gaps or Transitions
Crafting modern, scalable designs that grow with your business and stay ahead of trends.
Scaling Operations and Teams
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Founder/Exec Gaps or Transitions
Crafting modern, scalable designs that grow with your business and stay ahead of trends.
Scaling Operations and Teams
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Metrics, Data, and Investor Confidence
Your vision leads the way — I work closely with you to bring ideas to life with precision and creativity.
Innovation & Strategic Bets
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Metrics, Data, and Investor Confidence
Your vision leads the way — I work closely with you to bring ideas to life with precision and creativity.
Innovation & Strategic Bets
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Tech & Architecture Foundations
Stay informed with regular progress updates and timely deliverables
Advisory & Investor-Side Use
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Tech & Architecture Foundations
Stay informed with regular progress updates and timely deliverables
Advisory & Investor-Side Use
Inexperienced designers may compromise on quality and attention to detail.
Happy Clients & Partners
Clients & Partners
Trusted by 5+ happy clients, adding $10M+ in revenue.
5+
Happy clients
5+
Happy clients
5+
Happy clients
$10m
revenue added
$10m
revenue added
$10m
revenue added
4.8
Average NPS
4.8
Average NPS
4.8
Average NPS

JP Aubineau
Director of Product Management
Mike has been an absolute dominant powerhouse in helping get the Platform Services teams moving in a positive direction after having a significant absence of product direction for more than a year prior to joining Calabrio. He is well respected among his teams and many organizational partners. Within our team he is consistently first to volunteer or take command to organize efforts needed by the business – whether it’s our annual/quarterly planning initiatives – by spearheading the work to get epics/feature content into ADO, to taking the lead on major projects and quickly establishing clear acceptance criteria, writing strong user statements and communicates the value and goals to the team, continuously prioritizes the backlog, fills in applicable fields and always looks for areas to improve. Mike is truly fearless in business and jumps into challenging situations without hesitation and quickly establishes a framework for organizing and delivering progress in a short time. I am truly honored to have worked with Mike and would absolutely recommend him as a customer-focused product leader.


JP Aubineau
Director of Product Management
Mike has been an absolute dominant powerhouse in helping get the Platform Services teams moving in a positive direction after having a significant absence of product direction for more than a year prior to joining Calabrio. He is well respected among his teams and many organizational partners. Within our team he is consistently first to volunteer or take command to organize efforts needed by the business – whether it’s our annual/quarterly planning initiatives – by spearheading the work to get epics/feature content into ADO, to taking the lead on major projects and quickly establishing clear acceptance criteria, writing strong user statements and communicates the value and goals to the team, continuously prioritizes the backlog, fills in applicable fields and always looks for areas to improve. Mike is truly fearless in business and jumps into challenging situations without hesitation and quickly establishes a framework for organizing and delivering progress in a short time. I am truly honored to have worked with Mike and would absolutely recommend him as a customer-focused product leader.


JP Aubineau
Director of Product Management
Mike has been an absolute dominant powerhouse in helping get the Platform Services teams moving in a positive direction after having a significant absence of product direction for more than a year prior to joining Calabrio. He is well respected among his teams and many organizational partners. Within our team he is consistently first to volunteer or take command to organize efforts needed by the business – whether it’s our annual/quarterly planning initiatives – by spearheading the work to get epics/feature content into ADO, to taking the lead on major projects and quickly establishing clear acceptance criteria, writing strong user statements and communicates the value and goals to the team, continuously prioritizes the backlog, fills in applicable fields and always looks for areas to improve. Mike is truly fearless in business and jumps into challenging situations without hesitation and quickly establishes a framework for organizing and delivering progress in a short time. I am truly honored to have worked with Mike and would absolutely recommend him as a customer-focused product leader.


Taylor Greene
Senior Experience Lead at Salesforce
I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future. I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future.


Taylor Greene
Senior Experience Lead at Salesforce
I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future. I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future.


Taylor Greene
Senior Experience Lead at Salesforce
I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future. I worked with Mike on a complex, high-visibility project. During that time, Mike was able to successfully deliver multiple releases within stressful timelines. He always faced challenges, and was able to pivot direction and deliver value. Mike is also able to lead his team by being objective and open to others’ ideas and opinions. Even during difficult conversations, Mike remained level-headed and professional. He was able to guide stressful conversations into inclusive solutions. Mike is a hard-working, insightful, and reliable partner. I would love to work with Mike again in the future.


Wulf Sanoja
Senior Technical Architect at Salesforce
Having worked with Michael on a large multi-team project for the over a year, I have found him to be exceptionally adept in his role as Product Owner. He is professional, patient, collaborative, available, and visionary. He worked proficiently with stakeholders (architect, UX and other teams) to identify/align and track dependencies and he understands technical needs, including technical debt, innovation and other NFRs. Michael can clearly articulate vision, shared with the team on a regular basis, always starts with the “why”, regularly shares customer pain points and wins with the team. Working with Functional Analyst / Scrum Master, he ensured the Product Backlog was prepared for the planning session (prioritized, acceptance criteria defined) and the DoR was met for stories/sprint. One of his greatest abilities was building strong partnerships with many other teams. I endorse Michael for any project that needs a high level of dedication and team orchestration / cooperation.


Wulf Sanoja
Senior Technical Architect at Salesforce
Having worked with Michael on a large multi-team project for the over a year, I have found him to be exceptionally adept in his role as Product Owner. He is professional, patient, collaborative, available, and visionary. He worked proficiently with stakeholders (architect, UX and other teams) to identify/align and track dependencies and he understands technical needs, including technical debt, innovation and other NFRs. Michael can clearly articulate vision, shared with the team on a regular basis, always starts with the “why”, regularly shares customer pain points and wins with the team. Working with Functional Analyst / Scrum Master, he ensured the Product Backlog was prepared for the planning session (prioritized, acceptance criteria defined) and the DoR was met for stories/sprint. One of his greatest abilities was building strong partnerships with many other teams. I endorse Michael for any project that needs a high level of dedication and team orchestration / cooperation.


Wulf Sanoja
Senior Technical Architect at Salesforce
Having worked with Michael on a large multi-team project for the over a year, I have found him to be exceptionally adept in his role as Product Owner. He is professional, patient, collaborative, available, and visionary. He worked proficiently with stakeholders (architect, UX and other teams) to identify/align and track dependencies and he understands technical needs, including technical debt, innovation and other NFRs. Michael can clearly articulate vision, shared with the team on a regular basis, always starts with the “why”, regularly shares customer pain points and wins with the team. Working with Functional Analyst / Scrum Master, he ensured the Product Backlog was prepared for the planning session (prioritized, acceptance criteria defined) and the DoR was met for stories/sprint. One of his greatest abilities was building strong partnerships with many other teams. I endorse Michael for any project that needs a high level of dedication and team orchestration / cooperation.

FAQ Section
Questions, Answers
Get quick answers to your most pressing questions

Gabe Dahl
Product Manager at Thrivent
Having worked with Mike on the Digital Purchase and Digital Account Creation Product teams, I saw firsthand how he combines deep product expertise with strong leadership and execution. He has a rare ability to navigate complexity, align stakeholders, and drive initiatives that create real business impact. One of Mike’s biggest strengths is his ability to bring teams together across product, engineering, and design to ensure strategic alignment while maintaining a sharp focus on execution. He doesn’t just set a vision—he delivers results. For example, when we worked on an experience for users with shared household finances, Mike delivered a first-of-its-kind solution that required significant cross-functional coordination and net-new capabilities. He demonstrated his ability to balance strategy with measurable impact. Beyond execution, Mike brings a transformational mindset, always asking, How can we improve? How can we optimize? How can we create a better experience? His ability to bridge the gap between business and technology makes him a standout product leader, capable of solving complex challenges while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. Any company looking for a proven strategic leader who can drive innovation, scale products, and lead teams through change would be lucky to have Mike. I highly recommend him!


Gabe Dahl
Product Manager at Thrivent
Having worked with Mike on the Digital Purchase and Digital Account Creation Product teams, I saw firsthand how he combines deep product expertise with strong leadership and execution. He has a rare ability to navigate complexity, align stakeholders, and drive initiatives that create real business impact. One of Mike’s biggest strengths is his ability to bring teams together across product, engineering, and design to ensure strategic alignment while maintaining a sharp focus on execution. He doesn’t just set a vision—he delivers results. For example, when we worked on an experience for users with shared household finances, Mike delivered a first-of-its-kind solution that required significant cross-functional coordination and net-new capabilities. He demonstrated his ability to balance strategy with measurable impact. Beyond execution, Mike brings a transformational mindset, always asking, How can we improve? How can we optimize? How can we create a better experience? His ability to bridge the gap between business and technology makes him a standout product leader, capable of solving complex challenges while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. Any company looking for a proven strategic leader who can drive innovation, scale products, and lead teams through change would be lucky to have Mike. I highly recommend him!


Gabe Dahl
Product Manager at Thrivent
Having worked with Mike on the Digital Purchase and Digital Account Creation Product teams, I saw firsthand how he combines deep product expertise with strong leadership and execution. He has a rare ability to navigate complexity, align stakeholders, and drive initiatives that create real business impact. One of Mike’s biggest strengths is his ability to bring teams together across product, engineering, and design to ensure strategic alignment while maintaining a sharp focus on execution. He doesn’t just set a vision—he delivers results. For example, when we worked on an experience for users with shared household finances, Mike delivered a first-of-its-kind solution that required significant cross-functional coordination and net-new capabilities. He demonstrated his ability to balance strategy with measurable impact. Beyond execution, Mike brings a transformational mindset, always asking, How can we improve? How can we optimize? How can we create a better experience? His ability to bridge the gap between business and technology makes him a standout product leader, capable of solving complex challenges while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. Any company looking for a proven strategic leader who can drive innovation, scale products, and lead teams through change would be lucky to have Mike. I highly recommend him!

What kind of companies do you work with?
I partner with VC-backed startups from Seed to Series B—typically those looking to validate product-market fit, build their first scalable platform, or restructure their product org as they grow.
How do engagements usually work?
What outcomes do you help drive?
Can you work with my existing team?
Do you work onsite or remotely?
What is your pricing model?
What makes you different from a product or engineering consultant?
How quickly can you get started?
Do you replace our existing CPO, CTO, or team leads?
What kind of companies do you work with?
I partner with VC-backed startups from Seed to Series B—typically those looking to validate product-market fit, build their first scalable platform, or restructure their product org as they grow.
How do engagements usually work?
What outcomes do you help drive?
Can you work with my existing team?
Do you work onsite or remotely?
What is your pricing model?
What makes you different from a product or engineering consultant?
How quickly can you get started?
Do you replace our existing CPO, CTO, or team leads?
What kind of companies do you work with?
I partner with VC-backed startups from Seed to Series B—typically those looking to validate product-market fit, build their first scalable platform, or restructure their product org as they grow.
How do engagements usually work?
What outcomes do you help drive?
Can you work with my existing team?
Do you work onsite or remotely?
What is your pricing model?
What makes you different from a product or engineering consultant?
How quickly can you get started?
Do you replace our existing CPO, CTO, or team leads?
Let's Connect
Let's Grow Together
Product & Tech Diagnostic
Starting from $2,500
2-week deep dive into roadmap, team, and technical risks with a prioritized action plan
MVP or PMF Sprint
Starting from $7,500
4–6 week guided sprint to validate product-market fit or launch your first scalable MVP
Fractional Leadership Retainer
Starting from $5,000/mo
Embedded CPO/CTO services — strategic guidance, team enablement, and roadmap velocity

Let's Connect
Let's Grow Together
Product & Tech Diagnostic
Starting from $2,500
2-week deep dive into roadmap, team, and technical risks with a prioritized action plan
MVP or PMF Sprint
Starting from $7,500
4–6 week guided sprint to validate product-market fit or launch your first scalable MVP
Fractional Leadership Retainer
Starting from $5,000/mo
Embedded CPO/CTO services — strategic guidance, team enablement, and roadmap velocity

Let's Connect
Let's Grow Together
Product & Tech Diagnostic
Starting from $2,500
2-week deep dive into roadmap, team, and technical risks with a prioritized action plan
MVP or PMF Sprint
Starting from $7,500
4–6 week guided sprint to validate product-market fit or launch your first scalable MVP
Fractional Leadership Retainer
Starting from $5,000/mo
Embedded CPO/CTO services — strategic guidance, team enablement, and roadmap velocity
