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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical strategy and build a cutting-edge AI platform for institutional investors.
- Company: Early-stage fintech startup at the forefront of AI and finance.
- Benefits: Founding team equity, direct influence, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for significant impact and growth.
- Why this job: Join as a co-founder and shape the future of AI in finance.
- Qualifications: Proven software development experience, especially with AI/ML systems.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
An early-stage AI company building the operating system for institutional investors is hiring its Founding Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This is a hands-on technical leadership role at the earliest stage. You'll work directly with the founder to architect and scale the core platform from the ground up. The platform combines modular workflow orchestration, an AI-powered domain assistant, and a deep document intelligence layer to replace fragmented, manual processes with structured intelligence.
We sit at the intersection of AI and institutional finance, building for sophisticated, high-value clients in a category that almost no one is solving with serious AI infrastructure today. The CEO is an experienced operator with deep client-side fluency - a rare founder fit for a domain-specialised platform. Pre-seed funding closed; building toward seed. Co-founder level structure available for the right person.
What You'll Do
- Lead all technical strategy, architecture, and engineering execution
- Build and scale a small, high-quality engineering team
- Own the development of core capabilities: agentic workflow orchestration, document intelligence, LLM integration, and data pipelines
- Co-own product development with the CEO to translate client needs into product
- Stand alongside the CEO as technical co-founder - engaging clients, partners, and investors as the company scales
Requirements
- Proven experience building and shipping software products end-to-end
- Production experience with AI/ML systems is required; experience with LLMs and AI-native product development essential
- Deep hands-on technical capability - you are willing to architect and code
- A commercial mindset: you understand how technology creates business value and can engage confidently with clients and partners
- A founder's mindset: you thrive with autonomy, ambiguity, and the opportunity to build something from scratch. You understand that an early-stage startup requires constant iteration, shipping, and testing to find product-market fit
- Prior startup or early-stage experience strongly preferred
- Experience with B2B products serving sophisticated enterprise buyers is a plus
- Direct exposure to institutional finance, asset management, or alternative investment workflows is a plus, not a requirement
Benefits
- Founding team equity – co-founder level structure available for the right person
- Direct influence over company direction and engineering culture from day one
- The chance to build a category-defining company at the intersection of AI and institutional finance
- Hands-on technical role with full ownership of the stack - you are not inheriting a roadmap
- Hybrid working: London-based, 1-2 days per week in office; open to elsewhere in Europe for the right person
Founding CTO (UK-based fintech) employer: EQL Tech (frontier talent)
Contact Detail:
EQL Tech (frontier talent) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding CTO (UK-based fintech)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fintech and AI space. Attend meetups, webinars, and industry events to meet potential collaborators or even future co-founders. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects, especially those involving AI/ML systems. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on technical capabilities and how you've built products from scratch.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the community! Join online forums or social media groups related to fintech and AI. Share your insights, ask questions, and build your reputation as a knowledgeable player in the field. It could lead to unexpected opportunities!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re looking for someone who can take charge and lead our tech strategy. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be our Founding CTO, don’t hesitate to submit your application directly on our site!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding CTO (UK-based fintech)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI and Fintech: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and fintech shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission of building a cutting-edge platform for institutional investors. Share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your passion and expertise in these areas.
Be Clear About Your Technical Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on technical capabilities in your application. We’re looking for someone who can architect and code, so don’t hold back on detailing your experience with AI/ML systems, LLMs, and any relevant software products you've built. Clarity is key here!
Emphasise Your Founder’s Mindset: We’re after someone who thrives in an early-stage startup environment. In your application, talk about times when you’ve had to navigate ambiguity or take initiative to build something from scratch. Show us that you understand the hustle and excitement of startup life!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at EQL Tech (frontier talent)
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Founding CTO, you'll need to demonstrate deep technical knowledge. Brush up on your experience with AI/ML systems, LLMs, and the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you've architected and built software products from scratch.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves building and scaling a high-quality engineering team. Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in early-stage environments. Highlight your ability to engage with clients and partners, as this will be crucial for the company's growth.
✨Understand the Business Side
A commercial mindset is key for this position. Be prepared to discuss how technology can create business value, particularly in the context of institutional finance. Think about how you can translate client needs into product features and improvements.
✨Embrace the Startup Mindset
This role requires a founder's mentality, so be ready to talk about your experiences in ambiguous situations. Share stories of how you've iterated and tested ideas in previous roles, and express your enthusiasm for building something from the ground up.