In Startup Phases For CTOs, Stephan Schmidt brings decades of hard-won experience as an engineering manager, CTO, and CTO coach to illuminate the often misunderstood relationship between technology, business models, and the different phases startups experience. By defining seven clear startup stages—from Ideation and Prototype through MVP, Product-Market Fit, and Scaling, all the way to Profitability and becoming a Cash Cow—Schmidt offers invaluable context tailored specifically for CTOs.

Drawing from practical examples and years of hands-on leadership, this book breaks down why technology decisions must evolve alongside the startup's growth trajectory. Readers learn how to adapt their tech strategies as their companies shift from custom-built solutions to scalable products, manage the increasing complexity of growing architectures, and avoid common pitfalls like dependency paralysis and stagnation caused by bloated feature sets.

Startup Phases for CTOs is a guidebook designed to transform good tech leaders into great ones, equipped not just to survive startup growth but to actively shape it. Whether you're an aspiring CTO at the start of your journey or an experienced leader navigating rapid growth, this book provides the essential insights and strategies you need to lead confidently, innovate sustainably, and drive your startup to lasting success.