Fractional CTO
A CTO for the days you need one.
A fractional CTO is a senior technology leader who works part-time for your company, owning architecture, vendor and delivery decisions without a full-time salary. In Malaysia, Pali offers one day a week at RM 1,000 a month, two days at RM 2,000 and three days at RM 2,700, with hands-on delivery, not only advice.
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
| Option | What you get | Price | Price it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional CTO, 1 day a week | Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery. | RM 1,000 a month | Price it |
| Fractional CTO, 2 days a week | Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery. | RM 2,000 a month | Price it |
| Fractional CTO, 3 days a week | Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery. | RM 2,700 a month | Price it |
| Full-time CTO | A full-time technical lead, or salary plus equity. | From RM 4,500 | Price it |
- Fractional CTO, 1 day a weekRM 1,000 a month
Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery.
Price it - Fractional CTO, 2 days a weekRM 2,000 a month
Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery.
Price it - Fractional CTO, 3 days a weekRM 2,700 a month
Architecture, vendor oversight and hands-on delivery.
Price it - Full-time CTOFrom RM 4,500
A full-time technical lead, or salary plus equity.
Price it
Starting points, final quote after scoping. No SST is charged.See full pricing
What does a fractional CTO do in Malaysia?
The job is to make the technical decisions you cannot judge yourself, and to stay accountable for them. That means choosing the stack, setting the architecture, reviewing what vendors and freelancers deliver, and saying no to work that does not move the product.
Because Pali is also a senior product designer, the decisions include the experience your customers touch, not only the servers behind it.
Who needs a fractional CTO?
- Founders with a product idea and no technical co-founder
- SMEs paying a vendor and unsure whether the work is good
- Teams with developers but no one owning architecture or quality
- Companies preparing for LHDN e-invoice, PDPA or a platform rebuild
What will I get in the first 30 days?
- 01A written review of your product, code and vendors, with risks ranked
- 02An architecture and roadmap you can share with investors or a board
- 03Decisions on stack, hosting, security and data, recorded and explained
- 04Working software: a shipped fix, feature or prototype, not only slides
How is this different from an agency or a freelancer?
An agency sells you its team and its hours. A freelancer delivers a task. A fractional CTO sits on your side of the table: he chooses who builds, checks what they deliver, and builds himself when that is faster.
Do you understand LHDN e-invoice, SSM and PDPA?
Yes. Orbit Finance submits LHDN e-invoices, and products ship with PDPA consent, SST handling and SSM details built in from the first sprint, in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Read more
Where has this worked?
Questions about this service
How many days a week do I need?
Most early products start at one day a week. Two days suits a team that is building every week, and three days suits a rebuild or a launch.
Can a fractional CTO also write code?
Yes. Pali designs and builds as well as leads, so a decision can turn into a working prototype the same week.
What does a full-time CTO cost instead?
A full-time CTO engagement starts from RM 4,500 a month, or a salary plus equity. Fractional time makes sense until the product and revenue justify that hire.
How do we start?
With a 5-day Discovery Sprint at RM 300. The fee is credited against your first month if you continue. No SST is charged.
How do I start?
Get a price in two minutes, or talk it through on a free call.



