Flexible AI & Software Development from a Fractional CTO
AI and software development services often come with opaque pricing structures and rigid engagement terms that can hinder collaboration and innovation. However, Siddharth Verma's fractional CTO and AI consulting services offer a more flexible alternative, combining personalized attention with transparent billing practices. Through three distinct service offerings—Focused Solution, Extended Access, and Comprehensive Audit—Verma provides scalable support for engineering teams and SaaS founders operating across multiple time zones. The company's commitment to clear communication, detailed tracking, and fair refund policies sets a new standard for fractional CTO services, helping clients navigate the complexities of AI implementation and product development while maintaining control over their budget and timeline.
The company's service offerings include three primary options: Focused Solution, Extended Access, and Comprehensive Audit. The Focused Solution service provides up to four hours of live session time for $100 per session, making it suitable for addressing specific engineering problems, validating SaaS concepts, and exploring AI integration possibilities. Pricing is consistent and transparent, with no hidden costs or regional markups.
The Extended Access service offers 20 hours of consulting per month for $500, plus an additional $25 per hour for any time exceeding the included 20 hours. This ongoing service supports engineering team management, assists first-time SaaS founders, implements AI technology, and helps develop product roadmaps. The pricing remains consistent and transparent across all geographic regions.
For hiring decisions and strategic product development, the Comprehensive Audit service provides a detailed report ($50) paired with 30 minutes of live session time. This offering helps clients evaluate potential new hires, assess agency proposals for product development, and prepare for the onboarding of new co-founders or CTOs.
All services operate within clearly defined hourly limits, with detailed tracking through Google Sheets. For the Focused Solution and Comprehensive Audit packages, both 50% of the fee is due at booking, with the remaining 50% paid within four days after service delivery. Referral clients may choose to pay the full amount after receiving services as a gesture of trust. Monthly consultation clients pay 50% in advance, with the balance due by the 5th of the following month, though no advance payment is required from the second month onward.
The company maintains a 3-4 client limit for long-term engagements that require full access to codebases, engineering teams, or proprietary assets, operating from 11 AM to midnight to accommodate major time zones including the US, Europe, East Asia, and India. Short-term engagements typically need no NDA unless limited access to sensitive information is required, while long-term engagements always include NDAs to protect confidentiality and intellectual property.
Two hours of dedicated time per week are reserved for progress reviews and priority alignment, a schedule that proves effective for maintaining clear lines of communication between the fractional CTO and their clients. The company's capacity is managed to ensure personalized attention, with Siddharth typically working with 3 to 4 clients at any given time. This arrangement allows him to maintain high standards of service while accommodating the varying needs of his client base.
The company's working hours are structured to provide global accessibility, operating from 11 AM to midnight to cover major time zones including the US, Europe, East Asia, and India. This flexible schedule enables seamless collaboration across international teams while maintaining consistent service levels. Short-term engagements generally do not require non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) unless the work involves limited access to sensitive information, allowing for greater agility in project management and reduced administrative overhead.
Communication between Siddharth and his clients follows a structured process that balances transparency and efficiency. All engagements utilize Google Meet for scheduled discussions, with the option to communicate via email through a shared company address. For longer-term clients, the company offers additional communication channels including Slack groups for ongoing updates and discussions, as well as dedicated WhatsApp groups for quick communication needs. This multi-channel approach ensures that clients can engage with their fractional CTO using the method that best suits their workflow, whether that involves detailed technical discussions or brief status updates.
One-time services require 50% payment upfront at the time of booking, with the remaining 50% due within four days after service delivery. Clients referred through existing relationships can choose to pay the full amount post-service as a trust-building gesture. Monthly consultation services operate on a 50/50 split, with 50% paid in advance between the 1st and 5th of the month, while the remaining 50% is due between the 1st and 5th of the following month. Starting from the second month, only the remaining 50% is required, due between the 1st and 5th of each month.
All services use Google Sheets for tracking hours, with 20-hour limits per month for the Extended Access package. Additional hours require explicit approval before being logged, and any unused hours result in a full 100% refund. The system calculates refunds by deducting spent hours at the hourly rate, meaning clients only pay for the time they actually use. This transparent policy ensures both parties have clear expectations regarding service hours and costs.
The company's communication model varies based on the engagement type, with short-term projects typically involving weekly two-hour progress reviews via Google Meet, supplemented by email communication through the company's shared address. For ongoing fractional CTO services, Siddharth leverages a combination of Google Meet for scheduled meetings and Slack or WhatsApp groups for more immediate communication needs, though the exact channels used can be tailored to client preference.
The flexibility in communication methods allows Siddharth to maintain close working relationships with clients while adapting to different workflow preferences. Early-stage founders often require more frequent updates and involvement, which the company accommodates through regular check-ins and detailed progress reports. In contrast, fractional CTO services operate on a more structured schedule, with Siddharth dedicating two hours weekly to review project status and align priorities.
All communications and project updates are managed through a central Google Sheet, which tracks hours spent on projects, tasks completed, and any additional hours logged. This system helps maintain transparency and accountability, with explicit approval required for any hours beyond the monthly limit. The company's approach to collaboration emphasizes regular check-ins and clear communication channels, balancing the need for transparency with the practical requirements of different client engagement models.
Google Sheets serves as the central dashboard for all project tracking and management. Each project maintains a detailed record of hours spent on tasks, completed work items, and any additional hours logged beyond the monthly limit. The system allows Siddharth to maintain precise control over project timelines and resource allocation while providing transparency to his clients.
When managing extended access clients, the company adheres strictly to 20-hour monthly limits. Additional hours require explicit approval before being tracked, ensuring clients remain aware of the scope and cost of each engagement. While the company provides detailed reporting on all activities, it's important to note that hours are deducted at the applicable hourly rate when calculating refunds, making the financial implications of each service clear.
In the rare event that a project is cancelled before completion, the company's refund policy provides full refunds for unused hours due to unforeseen circumstances. This approach demonstrates the company's commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent working relationship with its clients, prioritizing open communication and mutual trust throughout the engagement process.