Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical strategy and build a cutting-edge AI platform for institutional investors.
- Company: Join an innovative fintech startup at the forefront of AI and finance.
- Benefits: Equity in the founding team, influence company direction, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with an experienced CEO and build something impactful.
- Why this job: Be a co-founder and shape the future of AI in finance from day one.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, AI/ML systems, and a founder's mindset.
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.
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) in London 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) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fintech and AI space, especially those who might know about this role. Use LinkedIn or industry events to connect with potential colleagues or even the CEO – it’s all about making those personal connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source software, make sure to highlight them. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on technical capability and how you can architect and code effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for a chat about your vision! When you get that interview, be ready to discuss how you’d approach building the core platform. Think about how you can translate client needs into product features and show that commercial mindset they’re after.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our journey from the ground up.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding CTO (UK-based fintech) in London
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!
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 receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our journey right from the start!
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 with ambiguity and iteration. Share stories of how you've navigated challenges in previous startups and how you approach building something from the ground up.