CTO-level support
for your digital product
Architecture, team selection, vendor management, roadmap, and delivery control — without hiring a full-time CTO
Hi, I'm Max Sharlaev
I've been working in IT for over 20 years.
I started out as a system administrator and web developer, and over time moved into technical leadership — as a team lead, CTO, and head of a development studio.
I've helped launch startups, joined projects in all sorts of conditions, built teams, established processes, and fixed things when they were already falling apart.
Over time, I came to one key insight: technical expertise isn't just about code or tech stacks.
It's about knowing how to build a product without drowning in uncertainty — how to spot weaknesses in architecture, people, or planning before they break something.
That's the kind of expertise I now offer my clients — as a fractional CTO.
Who I work with
Founders
No CTO on board? I’ll help you shape the architecture, define priorities, and avoid technical blind spots early on.
Startups
Launching fast doesn’t mean launching messy. I help you move from idea to MVP with just enough structure and sanity.
Teams
You’ve got developers but no direction. I bring clarity, roadmap, and a rhythm that delivers.
Outsourced projects
I’ll help you set clear specs, manage quality, and keep delivery predictable, transparent, and under your control.
Product Owners
You drive the vision — I’ll turn it into a system. From feature ideas to working infrastructure, I’ll translate as we go.
Scaling Companies
Your product grew — and now it’s brittle. I’ll audit, stabilize, and help you scale with confidence and control.
Ready to move on?
How I can help
Project Architecture
From stack choice to deployment strategy — I design systems that fit your scale and goals.
Cost Estimation
I break down infrastructure, team, and tooling costs, so you know what you're getting into.
Team Selection
Need devs or designers? I’ll help you choose people who build, not break.
Vendor Control
Outsourcing doesn’t mean losing control — I keep external teams aligned and accountable.
Reviews & Audits
Code, systems, process — I dig in and give you a clear picture of what’s working (and what’s not).
Rescue Mode
Broken releases? Slipping timelines? I step in, stabilize, and get you back on track.
Need one of these?
Still exploring?
How I work
Calm, clean and on your side
My goal is to give your project structure, stability, and a technical partner you can rely on. I don’t start with strategy decks or hour-long pitches. I start with listening.
Whether we end up working together or not, I'm here to help good products get built without unnecessary pain.
Case Studies
- All Posts
- Back

Experimental platform for non-linear exploration and content synthesis

A custom query language over PostgreSQL, built around set theory instead of row-based logic

A production-ready OpenAI proxy with built-in control, logs, and room to grow — even beyond OpenAI
Articles & Notes
- All Posts
- Development
- Finances
- Management

Architecture, scope, and trade-offs that keep your MVP alive after release



Rethinking fairness: what healthy work relationships are made of

Planning for the infrastructure, teams, and strategy that will carry your MVP into real life

A system that requires every human to work at 100% is a system built to fail.