Pioneer of the Fractional CTO model in Italy, founder of Axelerant and CTO Mastermind. He advises startups on architecture, teams, and technology strategy.
In Italy’s tech landscape—where startups are emerging faster than ever and traditional companies are racing to keep up with digital transformation—a new kind of leader has appeared: the Fractional CTO. And if there’s one name that has become synonymous with this role in Italy, it’s Alex Pagnoni. Founder of Axelerant and the CTO Mastermind community, he is one of the pioneers who legitimized the concept of fractional technology leadership in the country.
An Unconventional Path in Tech
Alex is not your typical “corporate” executive. His story begins as a tech entrepreneur.
“I started my first IT business at a time when very few people in Italy were talking about startups,” he says. He has worked both as a founder and as a consultant, gaining hands-on experience in software architecture, development teams, and product scaling.
This dual background—as entrepreneur and technologist—has given him a deep understanding of both the founders’ challenges and the limitations of technical teams.
How He Discovered the Role of Fractional CTO
At a certain point, Alex realized that many startups and mid-sized companies needed a Chief Technology Officer, but couldn’t afford one full-time.
“Founders would come to me with questions about architecture, about teams, about how to launch their product faster. But they didn’t have the budget or the context to hire a permanent CTO.”
That’s when he started defining his role as a Fractional CTO—a part-time technology executive available during critical stages. Essentially, an “invisible architect” who steps in, builds the structure, and then lets the team carry on.
What a Fractional CTO Does
Alex explains it simply:
“I’m not just a consultant. A Fractional CTO is part of the team. You join the board, make decisions alongside the founders, create the technology roadmap, and get the teams moving.”
Some of the areas he focuses on include:
- Technology roadmap – defining product direction and setting priorities.
- Software architecture – choosing the right stack and ensuring scalability.
- Team management – recruiting, training, and implementing agile processes.
- Digital transformation – for traditional companies entering the cloud era.
- Investor relations – translating the technical vision into business language.
Axelerant and CTO Mastermind
To support this model, Alex founded Axelerant, a company providing on-demand CTO services. At the same time, he created CTO Mastermind, a community of technology leaders in Italy.
“The goal isn’t just to offer services, but to build a culture. I want Italian entrepreneurs to understand the strategic role of technology, and for CTOs to become true leaders, not just ‘IT managers.’”
Today, the CTO Mastermind community brings together hundreds of professionals who discuss best practices, scaling, technical leadership, and innovation.
Examples of Impact
A fintech startup in Milan brought Alex in because their product was constantly delayed.
“I discovered the team had no clear agile processes. I introduced sprints, defined the backlog, and set productivity KPIs. Within six months, the startup delivered version 1.0 and secured its first round of funding.”
In a retail company, the problem was the lack of digitalization.
“I ran a quick assessment and implemented a cloud-based platform for inventory management and e-commerce integration. Within a few months, online sales grew by 40%.”
In an industrial firm, the challenge was cloud migration.
“The board was skeptical and didn’t understand the benefits. I built a clear business case and led the migration. The result: operational costs down 20% and processes much faster.”
Alex’s Philosophy
Alex believes technology should always serve the business.
“A good CTO doesn’t choose technology because it’s ‘cool,’ but because it solves a business problem. My role is to bridge strategy and execution.”
He’s also convinced that technical leadership must be visible.
“A Fractional CTO is not a ‘ghost.’ You need to be present, motivate the team, and build trust.”
Italy and the Fractional Model
Italy, traditionally more conservative in business, is starting to embrace this model.
“Many mid-sized companies, especially family-owned ones, are facing digital transformation. They need a CTO, but can’t—or don’t want to—hire one permanently. A Fractional CTO is the ideal solution.”
Alex also sees growing interest from tech startups.
“Founders understand that investors want to see a credible CTO. A Fractional CTO gives them that advantage at the right time.”
Challenges and Lessons
One of the biggest challenges of the role is earning the technical team’s trust quickly.
“Developers often see me as an outsider at first. But once they realize I understand both the technical side and the business side, the barriers disappear.”
Another challenge is time.
“You only have a few hours a week in each company. You need to be extremely efficient, identify problems quickly, and implement the right processes.”
A Bridge Builder
Alex Pagnoni is more than just a CTO. He’s a bridge builder—between business and technology, between founders and teams, between traditional and digital worlds. Through his work as a Fractional CTO, and through Axelerant and CTO Mastermind, he has created not just a service, but a movement in Italy.
“Fractional doesn’t mean less involved. It means being there exactly when it matters, creating rapid impact, and leaving something lasting behind. That’s my mission.”