Palahepitiya Gamage Amila · FAQ
Straight answers
The things founders ask most, answered plainly. If yours is not here, write hello@pgamila.com or book a discovery call.
What is an AI-first fractional CTO?
A senior technology leader who owns CTO-level judgement on a part-time retainer: architecture, roadmap, team, and hard calls, without a full-time hire. “AI-first” means agents and specialists collect facts and write drafts so more ground is covered. I still decide every material call. You get weekly leadership in the seat.
How is fractional different from interim or from a consultant?
Fractional is ongoing capacity in the chair. Interim is the same seat for a defined bridge: a hire, a raise, a turnaround. Consultant usually means recommendations without ownership. I take the seat, fractional or interim, and lock decisions. I do not sell advice that leaves you to decide alone.
What does the retainer include, and what is the minimum?
Weekly or bi-weekly sessions on a monthly retainer. Architecture, roadmap, team leadership, and the hard calls that come with the seat. Three-month minimum so there is time to change how the company works. Pricing is quoted after discovery. No public price list.
Do you replace a full-time CTO?
Sometimes you need the seat now and a hire later. Sometimes fractional is the right shape for longer. I will say honestly when a full-time CTO is the better move. The point of the work is the company getting stronger, not keeping a retainer open forever.
You use AI. Can I trust the judgement?
Agents and specialists do the collecting and drafting: reading code, docs, and product faster and more completely than a lone human in the same window. They do not decide what matters at your stage. I read the output, cut noise, verify what needs a human, and put my name on the decision. The scan is the start. The judgement is what you hire.
What does “your approval before anything external” mean?
Inside the company we move quickly. Outside, nothing material leaves on your behalf without your approval: customer-facing calls, investor-facing claims, production-binding changes, anything that carries your brand. Drafts can be prepared. Final say stays with you where it should.
What is the AI-first engineering leadership setup?
A bounded multi-week setup to put draft workflows, decision rhythm, approval rules, and a safe boundary around coding agents and secrets in place. It is not staff augmentation and not the ongoing retainer. Duration is confirmed on discovery. See AI-first setup.
What is technology and product due diligence?
An independent read on how healthy a company’s technology and product really are, so investors deciding whether to back, or founders preparing to raise, get a clear picture before capital moves. Technology covers how it is built. Product covers whether it is worth building. Full suite connects both across cost, capability, speed, and ownership.
How long does diligence take, and what about the 48-hour check?
About five business days for technology or product. Five to seven for the full suite. The investor-ready health check is 48 hours when the clock is shorter. Every engagement is fixed fee, quoted after a discovery call. No hourly surprise bills.
Can you fix what diligence finds?
The engagement ends with a report, walkthrough, and prioritised plan. If you then want hands-on leadership to act on it, the fractional / interim CTO retainer is available. No obligation. Many clients take the report and run themselves.
When should I choose an architecture review instead of diligence?
Choose architecture & scale review when growth or platform direction is the brief and you need findings, priorities, and a walkthrough, without a full capital diligence cycle. Choose diligence when an investment decision or raise readiness needs investment-committee-grade tech and product coverage. See architecture review and diligence.
Where are you based, and do you only work in Manchester?
Based in Manchester, UK. Fractional CTO Manchester owns local search. I also work with founders further afield when the engagement fits. Discovery is the place to be straight about logistics.
How do we start?
Book a discovery call. About thirty minutes, no pitch. Or write hello@pgamila.com. Bring the problem, the stage, and what a good outcome looks like in the next quarter.
Who have you done this with?
Approved operator proof only: Ferry (fractional CTO; App Store 2 → 4.5★ in six months; 40k+ users; $25M+ monthly transactions; SOC 2; Fortune-100 / Cheesecake Factory support), BORIS (fractional CTO; 18-month transformation; 200 → 1 multi-tenant; path £1.8M toward £10M ARR), VoiceIQ (founder CTO 2018–2022; strategy, architecture, product; ML for voice-based vulnerability detection). Chips also include NHS trusts and Cheesecake Factory. Sixteen years in technology; eight as CTO / fractional CTO. Tech Nation Exceptional Talent.