Fractional CTO · Software development

A fractional CTO who builds the software too.

Most fractional CTOs advise. Comexe sets the technical direction and then delivers it: designing the architecture, writing production code and leading the engineers who ship with me. Senior leadership and hands-on engineering, without hiring both.

A typical engagement

Role
Fractional CTO + lead engineer
Commitment
1–3 days a week, or project-based
Term
3-month minimum
Builds
Web apps, APIs, integrations, AI features
Working hours
AEST, remote + on-site
You get
A technical plan and working software

Services

Technical leadership and the engineering to back it up

Strategy is only as good as what ships. Every engagement combines CTO-level decisions with hands-on development, so the plan and the product come from the same person, with a team of developers behind it when you need to move faster.

Fractional CTO

An embedded technology leader who owns the roadmap and the architecture, and stays close enough to the code to make the right calls.

  • Technology strategy aligned to business goals
  • Architecture decisions and hands-on code reviews
  • Engineering hiring, structure and coaching
  • Board and investor technical reporting
  • Technical due diligence for investors
Ongoing · monthly retainer

Not ready to commit?

Start with a Technical & AI Assessment

An initial fixed-price review that shows exactly where your technology stands and how Comexe could help, before you sign up to anything ongoing.

From $1,200 + GSTFixed priceFee credited if we continue

Quoted up front based on the size of your systems, so you know the exact cost before we start.

Request an assessment

What you get

  • A hands-on review of your codebase, architecture, infrastructure and cloud spend
  • Practical opportunities for AI and automation in the systems you already have
  • A written report of findings and risks, in plain English
  • A prioritised 90-day roadmap with effort and cost estimates
  • A walkthrough session with you, your team or your board

If you go ahead, the full assessment fee is credited against your engagement, and we start building from a plan you've already seen. If not, the roadmap is yours to keep.

What I build

Hands-on engineering across the stack

The same person who sets your technical direction designs the system and writes the code.

Product engineering

Web applications, customer portals, online stores and internal tools, built for real users from day one.

APIs and integrations

Connecting payments, CRMs, ERPs, Shopify and WooCommerce stores, and other platforms so your systems work as one.

Cloud and DevOps

Scalable Azure architecture, automated testing and deployment pipelines, and infrastructure you can afford.

AI and automation

Practical AI features powered by Anthropic's Claude, plus workflow automation that saves time, built into your existing products.

Data and reporting

Data models, pipelines and dashboards that give the business numbers it can trust.

Modernisation

Moving legacy systems onto modern platforms in stages, without stopping the business.

Core stack

The tools I know best. I also work with whatever platforms your existing systems are built on.

AI
Anthropic ClaudeMicrosoft Copilot
Languages and tools
C#.NETVisual Studio
Web
ASP.NET CoreBlazor
Data
SQL ServerAzure SQL
Cloud
Microsoft AzureApp ServiceAzure FunctionsService BusLogic Apps
CI/CD
Azure DevOpsGitHub Actions
Identity
Microsoft Entra ID
Business platforms
Microsoft 365Dynamics 365Power Platform
Ecommerce
ShopifyWooCommerce

How it works

From assessment to shipped software

Most engagements start with a fixed-price assessment. You see the plan before you commit to anything more.

  1. First step

    Assessment

    A hands-on review of your codebase, infrastructure, spend and AI opportunities, plus interviews with founders and the team.

  2. On completion

    Roadmap

    A written report, a prioritised 90-day plan and the target architecture, walked through with you. Then you decide what happens next.

  3. Months 1–6+

    Build and lead

    Writing production code and leading the build, with my developers or yours: shipping features, setting up pipelines and hiring the right people.

  4. When ready

    Handover

    Documented code, automated deployments and, if needed, help recruiting a permanent CTO or engineering lead.

Who it's for

A good fit if you recognise one of these

Startups and scale-ups

  • You're a non-technical founder who needs someone to plan and build the product.
  • You've raised a round and need an MVP built fast, on foundations that will scale.
  • Your developers are busy but releases keep slipping.

Established businesses

  • You rely on an agency and want a senior engineer on your side of the table.
  • Legacy systems are holding back growth.
  • You want AI and automation built into your systems, not just a slide deck about it.
Neil, founder of Comexe

About

Hi, I'm Neil.

I've spent more than 20 years building software and leading technology teams, in the UK and Australia.

I started out in London as a developer and technical lead, and spent eight years as a partner in a software consultancy, both running projects and writing code for clients such as ADT Fire & Security and Berkeley Group. After moving to Sydney, I led a 40-person consulting business unit at Industrie&Co, delivering projects for organisations including Atlassian, ING, BPAY and Retail Food Group.

As CTO of Oliver's Real Food, I set the technology strategy and led its delivery across a nationwide network of stores, covering point of sale, kiosks, back office, finance and supply chain, working closely with the board, franchisees and investors.

I founded Comexe to give growing businesses a technology leader who can also build. I set the direction, make the architecture calls, and facilitate writing the code that turns the plan into a working product.

  • 20+ years in technology
  • Former CTO and Managing Partner
  • UK and Australia
  • PRINCE2 certified
  • BSc Information Technology

Based on the Central Coast, NSW · working with clients locally and remotely

Get in touch

Tell me what you need built

There are two ways to start. Email me with either and I'll get back to you to arrange it.

From $1,200 + GST · fixed price

Start with an assessment

A review of your technology and AI opportunities, with a written report and a 90-day roadmap. See how Comexe could help before committing to anything ongoing, with the fee credited if we continue.

Request an assessment
Free · 30 minutes

Book a call

Talk through what you're building and leave with clear next steps, whether or not we work together.

Request a call