 Dathan Guiley · 30 yrs production · CTO ×3 · Claude Code daily since launch # Let’s figure out the right way to work together. You don’t need to know yet whether you want a one-off fix, a full build, or an ongoing partner. Book a discovery call — we’ll scope your situation, and you leave with a roadmap whether we work together or not. We help everyone from non-technical founders to enterprise teams needing a sparring partner. [Book a discovery call →](/start?source=retainer) [Already work with us? Send a question →](#existing-clients) Senior engineering experience from Amazon·Netflix·Yahoo·Overstock·Porsche·Northrop Grumman Where this fits in our offer stack Retainer is our ongoing-relationship product. **Technical Advisor Retainer** is delivery of **Wilde Partnership** — embedded senior judgment for teams that have developers but no architect. **Fractional CTO** is delivery of **Wilde Advisory** — strategic ownership for companies heading into a fundraise or filling a CTO gap. For a defined build (or a rescue), see **Wilde Complete** on the [how-we-work page](/how) — that's a fixed-scope engagement with a launch date, not a monthly retainer. Pricing posture: small one-off advisory work starts around $2K. Retainers (this page) start at $3,500/mo. Full builds run $25K–$250K+ depending on scope. Whatever fits your situation, the architecture review is free. ## How it works ### Async-first. Results, not meetings. We've nearly outlawed meetings. Most requests are answered in a Loom or a doc. Calls happen when nothing else will do. #### Submit a request. Add it to your queue. Write it out, link a doc, record a Loom — whatever makes the problem clear. No format required. Add as many as you want. #### We deliver the answer. Based on your tier, one to three requests are active at any time. Each gets a thorough written response, architecture recommendation, code review, or decision — with reasoning, not just a verdict. #### Revise until it's right. If the answer doesn't fully resolve the request, we iterate. The slot stays open until you're satisfied. Then the next request in queue becomes active. ## Technical Advisor Retainer Direction without the drama. A senior technical voice working through your queue at the speed your team needs. **Best for:** Seed-stage companies with a dev team and no senior technical voice. “I need someone to tell me if what we’re building is right.” Scope: architecture · code review · tech stack decisions · team direction · vendor evaluation — not investor-facing work ### Steady $3,500/month Reliable, responsive senior judgment working through your queue at a steady pace. 48hr average turnaround 1 concurrent Async cadence - Unlimited request queue - 1 active request in progress - Faster response than going without - Request tracking dashboard - Loom for complex explanations - Revisions until right - Pause or cancel anytime [Start Steady →](https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ8wQ9X39Kr8D50TE5c408) ### Active $5,500/month Faster turnaround, bi-weekly syncs, and a senior voice you can count on. 24hr average turnaround 1 concurrent Bi-weekly cadence - Unlimited request queue - 1 active request in progress - 24hr average turnaround - Bi-weekly 30‑minute sync call - Request tracking dashboard - Loom for complex explanations - Revisions until right - Pause or cancel anytime [Start Active →](https://buy.stripe.com/fZufZi7OVcWDcTl45Q5c407) ### Sprint $8,000/month Maximum throughput. Two requests moving in parallel, priority turnaround, bi-weekly syncs. Priority turnaround 2 concurrent Bi-weekly cadence - Unlimited request queue - 2 active requests in parallel - Priority turnaround - Bi-weekly 30‑minute sync call - Roadmap input on request - Request tracking dashboard - Loom for complex explanations - Revisions until right - Pause or cancel anytime [Start Sprint →](https://buy.stripe.com/aFa3cwedj7Cj3iL31M5c406) Annual plans available — 2 months free. [Contact us →](/start) ## Fractional CTO What a CTO actually does — without the six-month executive search. An ongoing leadership relationship, not an answering service. **Best for:** Series A/B companies whose CTO departed, or companies heading into a fundraise. “We need a CTO now.” Includes everything in Technical Advisor + investor calls · hiring decisions · due diligence · board presence ### Strategic $9,500/month 1 call/mo + async A senior technical mind in the room. Async the rest of the time. Scope Architecture · Roadmap · Team direction - Full technical advisory scope - Architecture decisions - Roadmap input and prioritization - Team direction and code review - Codebase health assessment - One strategy call per month - Async available throughout - Priority over Advisor clients - Pause or cancel anytime [Start Strategic →](https://buy.stripe.com/4gM28s8SZcWDcTl0TE5c405) ### Executive $14,500/month Bi-weekly call For companies where decisions touch investors, the board, or the org chart. Scope Strategic + Investor calls · Hiring · Due diligence - Everything in Strategic, plus: - Investor call participation - Technical due diligence prep - Hiring decision input - Technical interview execution - Bi-weekly strategy calls - Priority over Advisor clients - Pause or cancel anytime [Start Executive →](https://buy.stripe.com/8x26oI9X35ub7z131M5c404) ### Partner Custom pricing Weekly call + on-demand As close as it gets without a hire. Limited to two clients. Scope Executive + Board presence · Roadmap ownership · Proactive flags - Everything in Executive, plus: - Board observer participation - Proactive risk identification - Roadmap ownership (not just input) - Weekly calls + on-demand access - Dathan flags what he sees, unprompted - Maximum two Partner clients - Pause or cancel anytime [Let's talk →](/start?tier=cto-partner) ### Principal Custom pricing Selective availability [Let’s talk →](/start?tier=principal) Annual plans available — 2 months free. Partner tier limited to 2 clients maximum. ## Which one is right for you? If you’re not sure, start with Technical Advisor. If you outgrow it, upgrading is seamless. ### Technical Advisor Retainer - You have developers but no senior technical voice - You need architecture reviews and tech stack decisions - You want to know if the work your team is doing is good - Investor calls and board presence aren’t on the table yet - Pre‑Series A, or Series A with a strong existing team See Advisor tiers ↓ ### Fractional CTO - Your CTO left, was never hired, or wasn’t strong enough - You’re heading into a fundraise and need credible technical leadership - Investors or the board are asking technical questions you can’t answer alone - You need executive‑level technical ownership, not just answers - Series A or beyond, or high‑stakes technical bets in progress See CTO tiers ↓ > “The longer the relationship, the more valuable we become. After the first month, we know your codebase, your team dynamics, your technical debt map, and your roadmap. You don’t re‑brief us every time.” — Dathan Guiley, Wilde Agency ## Common questions - What counts as a "request"? - How does the queue work? - What's the difference between Technical Advisor and Fractional CTO? - Who does the work? - How does pausing work? - Can I upgrade between tiers? - Is there a minimum commitment? - What's the Principal tier? - Already work with us? ## Send a question For clients we already know, with context we already hold — ask here and we respond personally, typically the same business day. Name Email Your question [Send inquiry →](/start) ## Let’s book a discovery call We’ll meet, understand where you are, and map the options — from a one‑off to an ongoing partner. You leave with a roadmap whether we work together or not. [Book a discovery call →](/start?source=retainer) [Know you want Steady? Start now ($3,500/mo) →](https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ8wQ9X39Kr8D50TE5c408) Pause or cancel anytime · Annual plans available (2 months free) · Partner tier: 2 clients max [Not sure where you stand? Take the free AI Readiness Scorecard →](/scorecard)