Executive-level technology leadership, without the executive salary.
Strategic technology planning, budget guidance, vendor oversight, and board-ready reporting from a team who’s been doing this in Chicagoland since 1994 — without the six-figure full-time hire.
Outsourced CTO and CIO, answered directly
By Joe Engelking, CEO. Updated October 2026.
What does an outsourced CTO or CIO do?
An outsourced CTO or CIO sets your technology direction. That includes a roadmap tied to business goals, IT budget planning, vendor and contract oversight, risk and compliance guidance, and board-ready reporting. You get executive-level thinking on a part-time basis, without hiring a full-time executive.
How is an outsourced CTO different from an IT support provider?
IT support keeps your systems running day to day. A CTO or CIO decides what to buy, build, or retire and why, so your technology spending lines up with where the business is going. Many companies need both, and they work best when one team handles both.
When does a company need a CTO or CIO?
Common triggers are fast growth, too many vendors and no plan, compliance pressure, an upcoming merger or investment, or board and investor questions you cannot answer. If technology spending feels reactive and nobody owns the roadmap, it is time to put someone in that seat.
How much does an outsourced CTO cost compared with a full-time hire?
A full-time technology executive is typically a six-figure hire with benefits on top. An outsourced model gives you part-time access to that experience for a fraction of the cost. We scope the engagement after a conversation about your goals, so you pay for the leadership you actually need.
| Topic | Outsourced CTO or CIO | Full-time hire |
|---|---|---|
| Technology roadmap | Quarterly roadmap tied to business goals | Same, on a full-time salary |
| Budget and vendor oversight | Budget planning and contract negotiation on your behalf | Same, plus benefits and overhead |
| Board and investor reporting | Board-ready and investor-ready reports | Same, plus a full-time seat |
| Risk and compliance | Assessment and guidance as needed | Same |
| Cost | A fraction of a full-time executive | A six-figure hire plus benefits |
You’ve outgrown ad-hoc IT decisions, but a full-time CTO isn’t realistic yet.
No real technology roadmap
Every tech decision gets made in isolation — reactive, not planned. There’s no multi-year picture connecting technology spend to where the business is actually headed.
Vendor sprawl, no one steering
A dozen software subscriptions and vendors, none of them coordinated, and nobody whose job it is to ask whether you actually still need all of them.
Nobody to report to the board or investors
When a lender, investor, or board member asks a real question about your technology risk or roadmap, there’s no one prepared to answer it in language they trust.
A technology strategist, on retainer — not a one-time consulting project.
- Quarterly technology roadmap tied to business goals
- Annual and quarterly IT budget planning
- Vendor and contract oversight — including negotiating on your behalf
- Board-ready and investor-ready reporting
- Risk assessment and compliance guidance
- M&A and due diligence technology review, when it comes up
Growing companies that need a strategist, not just a help desk.
Businesses scaling past 20–50 employees, preparing for funding or acquisition, or answering to a board or investors — without the budget or need for a full-time CTO or CIO. If your current IT support keeps the lights on but nobody’s thinking three years ahead, this is the gap we fill.
Real businesses, real relationships.
“When Joe assigned Ivan as our lead, we felt like we finally had IT solved. Ivan has been with us 24×7 and the team behind him makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.”
“They deliver on a wide breadth of IT services and ensure everything works correctly. With the personal touch of a small team, LME communicates efficiently and is instantly responsive by email or phone.”
Common questions about outsourced CTO & CIO services
Broadly, a CTO focuses on the technology behind your product or operations, while a CIO focuses on the systems that run your business internally. Most small and mid-sized businesses need a blend of both — which is exactly what this engagement covers.
Yes, and they work together well. Your IT support keeps things running day to day. An outsourced CTO/CIO sets the strategy, budget, and roadmap that your IT support then executes against.
A full-time CTO or CIO in Chicagoland typically runs $150,000–$250,000+ per year in salary alone. An outsourced engagement gets you the same strategic guidance at a fraction of that, scaled to how much time your business actually needs.
We start with a technology and risk assessment, build a roadmap tied to your business goals, then meet on a regular cadence — monthly or quarterly — to review progress, budget, and any decisions that need executive-level sign-off.