Interim CTO for startups, scaleups, and investors

A CTO leaves.
Decisions remain.

A key team loses direction.
Product development stalls.
Stakeholders demand clarity.
And this is exactly when you need someone to step in, lead – and deliver.

As an interim CTO, I take on technical responsibility during transition phases.
Quickly, with structure and without friction.

Typical scenarios for an interim CTO

  • The CTO resigns or drops out on short notice
  • You’re heading into fundraising – but lack technical leadership presence
  • The CTO search is taking longer than expected
  • A turnaround requires temporary leadership strength
  • Engineering is drifting – and needs clear direction

What you get with me as an interim CTO

Stability & leadership presence at C-level

Rapid analysis of team, structure, architecture & delivery

A clear 100-day plan – for decisions, momentum, and trust

Strategic and tactical communication with board, stakeholders & team

Smooth handover to the new CTO – documented, supported, and crystal clear

More Than Tech

What sets me apart as an interim CTO

I’m not a “gap manager” – I’m the catalyst for your next step.

No onboarding for weeks – but impact from week one.

I bring experience, independence, and execution power.

I make sure that tech, team, and organization stay stable – and continue to evolve.

How the collaboration works

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Where?

Remote or on-site

How long?

Weekly or monthly basis – scalable as needed

How?

Clear start, defined scope, measurable progress

Optional?

Optional: transition into CTO coaching or support with CTO recruiting

Who needs an interim CTO?

  • Startups that can’t afford wrong decisions
  • Scaleups that don’t want leadership gaps to escalate
  • Investors who need to secure technical leadership
  • CEO's who need clarity, leadership, and continuity

Book a 15-minute call – and let’s find out if an interim CTO is the right move right now

Why now?

A vacant CTO role doesn’t just stall progress – it pulls you into a downward spiral.

Leadership has to be present when others are waiting for it – not only when the fire’s already burning.

Book Initial Consultation Now

About Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Philipp Deutscher Consulting stands for clarity, structure, and impact in tech organizations – especially in critical moments.  As an experienced CTO coach and Fractional CTO, I follow a clear mission: I bring leadership and stable structures to where they’re needed most. At the same time, my team and I support aspiring CTOs with tailored coaching to prepare the next generation of tech leaders.
We don’t work on the surface – we go deeper. No excuses, no detours.

Our strength lies where others lose their grip – we take the lead and ensure tech organizations remain successful in the long run.

25+

Success stories

About us
Testimonials

What our clients say

clients say

Philipp is one of the rare professionals in his combination of being a proven CTO and with strong CEO capabilities. Philipp's strategic understanding and business expertise are exceptional. He demonstrated a profound ability to envision transformative business solutions. He inspires trust and confidence from everyone involved. His adeptness at navigating complex investment landscapes and his knack for fostering collaborative partnerships are truly commendable. Philipp is a visionary and experienced leader whose capabilities extend far beyond conventional consultancy, making him a highly recommended asset for any forward-thinking enterprise in the tech sector.

Marten von Velsen-ZerweckCEO, Noocoon

I've come to see Philipp not only as an exceptional tech leader, but also as a remarkably genuine and dedicated professional. His interpersonal skills and his natural ability to understand and connect with his team are truly a sight to behold. He guides his team members with compassion and empowers them to reach their full potential, all while fostering a sense of shared responsibility and commitment towards achieving our goals. Philipp's personal dedication to growth and results have been instrumental in driving the transformation within our organization. He is a true asset to any team, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Albrecht von SendenCTO, Tipico

Philipp's strategic and analytical approach proved invaluable during his tenure with TeamViewer, particularly during assignments requiring cross-cultural understanding and leadership. His problem-solving skills and profound management of technical complexities boosted our team efficiency, while his agile transformation expertise inspired a growth-oriented culture. The broad perspective and technical leadership expertise Philipp brought to the table was essential to our business success.

Dr. Mike EisseleCTO, TeamViewer

Philipp is the kind of leader who believes in getting the job done right - and he has the technical savvy and strategic insight to make it happen. His approach to technology and leadership isn't just about finding a solution; it's about finding the most efficient and innovative way forward. He's a champion for growth and accountability, consistently inspiring his teams to reach new heights. More than that, he ensures that every piece of the puzzle - from big-picture strategy to granular details - aligns perfectly. In my experience, that's the kind of leadership that drives real change and success.

Alexander WindbichlerCEO, Anexia

In my work with Philipp during our Agile transformation project at Tipico, I was continually impressed by his strategic thinking and the dedication he brought to excellence. His mix of tech expertise and dynamic leadership transformed not just systems, but also the people and the processes around them. If you're in the tech space and need a visionary leader who can effectively bridge the gap between technology and business, I highly recommend Philipp.

Karl BredemeyerManaging Partner, Netzwerkknoten, Unternehmensberatung GmbH

Philipp made a significant impact on our tech initiatives at BEONTRA. His blend of strategic vision, technical acumen and team leadership was instrumental in driving innovation and efficiency. Reflecting on his current role as an Interim CTO and Tech Leader, it's evident that his attributes continue to create transformative solutions in the tech industry.

Manuel HeidlerCEO, BEONTRA

Philipp is an authentic leader. Clear in his thoughts, mindful with his words and proactively giving direction. Finesse is important to him when it comes to building high performance teams in tech. I feel his impact and presence every time we meet. Sparring thoughts is always enriching with Philipp, he makes you think twice. There is no black and white with him, he respects the grey and and they change of matters and can find creative approaches for ambiguity. I would call this a true leadership skill for future-oriented organisational development.

Elisabeth Heckmann Executive Coach & Head of People Ryte, foobar Agency
Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Additional services by Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Fractional CTO

Temporary technical leadership to drive growth and enable fast, strategic decision-making.

Engineering & Delivery

From feature factory to product organization: structure, clear processes, and leadership for sustainable delivery capability and efficient engineering.

Location & Scaling

Strategic and structured scaling for engineering teams – from the first hire to a fully functional location.

Incident Management

Manage acute crises, analyze root causes, and implement rapid recovery measures – to ensure long-term system stability.

Tech Due Diligence

Pragmatic assessment of the technical foundation: architecture, team, processes, and scalability – for well-informed decision-making.

IT Turnaround Management

Fast, solution-oriented takeover of technical leadership during crisis phases: root cause analysis, prioritization, and rebuilding for stability and clear structure.

Book a free consultation now

FAQ

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is an interim CTO?

An interim CTO is an external, temporarily appointed CTO who steps in during transitional phases to provide technical leadership, stability, and strategic clarity.

To hire Philipp Deutscher as your interim CTO, the first step is to schedule a free consultation. In this conversation, we’ll analyze your company’s specific needs and define the goals of our collaboration. This ensures a tailored solution that delivers the leadership and clarity you need during the transition phase.

Interim CTO services are often the right choice when a CTO departs unexpectedly, during CTO recruitment, or in transitional periods where immediate technical leadership is needed. In these situations, the interim CTO ensures stability and clarity until a permanent solution is in place.

An interim CTO assumes technical leadership, analyzes the organization and processes, optimizes the architecture, and ensures a clear handover to permanent CTO leadership once the transition phase is complete.

An interim CTO engagement is flexible and typically ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on your needs – ensuring that all transition phases are bridged effectively and with stability.

Contact us