For C-Level Executives

Decide what type of CIO/CTO to hire

The right CIO or CTO can be a game-changer for any organisation. They shape strategy, drive innovation, and safeguard against risks.

But how do you choose the perfect fit?

Should you prioritise strategic vision, innovation, people management, operational excellence, or compliance?

StackUp helps you make an informed decision on the right CIO or CTO to hire:
Checkmarx
30-minute current state assessment: Understand your entire technology function and the gaps your new technology leader will need to fill
Checkmarx
The right questions: Know what to ask during hiring to find a leader who is motivated and skilled in the areas your organisation needs
Checkmarx
Alignment from day one: Accelerate onboarding, time to effectiveness and monitor performance
Dashboard displaying StackUp's customer score and ratings, highlighting technology leadership and innovation metrics.

Challenges C-Level Executives face when hiring a CIO/CTO

A man rests his head on his desk, appearing fatigued due to failure of CIO/CTO and IT department

Identifying the right fit

Not all technology leaders excel in the same areas. What works in one organisation may not work in yours.

The stakes are high

A bad CIO/CTO hire can set your organisation back years.

Navigating jargon

Decoding buzzwords and technical speak is crucial.  

Measuring performance is not easy

Assessing impact during and after the hiring process is complex.

Without StackUp

Traditional approaches often miss the mark
Diagram demonstrating how other assessments are inconsistent, incomplete and biased to sell services
x icon

Generic job ads

Attract candidates without addressing your organisations unique needs.
x icon

Promote from within

Lacks a clear understanding of the gaps and future requirements.
x icon

Use a recruiter

Great networks, but limited insights into your specific challenges.

How StackUp helps you succeed

Advertise for, and select the right candidate for your specific situation
Illustration of Features of StackUp
tick icon

Gap analysis in hours, not weeks

StackUp’s comprehensive assessment takes less than 30 minutes so you’ll have the right data to make informed decisions about the right type of CTO/CIO to advertise for.

The assessment covers 50 questions covering the entirety of the technology function including:
  • Data Security & Privacy
  • Innovation & Strategy
  • Staff & Training
  • Technology Performance
  • Cloud & Network
  • Risk Management
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Vendor Management
tick icon

Targeted job ads

Use the insights from the StackUp assessment to craft a tailored job ad that attracts candidates with both the skills and the motivation you need.
tick icon

Smarter interviewing

Know the right questions to ask and what to look for in responses.
tick icon

More effective onboarding

Accelerate time to effectiveness by handing the full report to the new CIO or CTO, enabling them to hit the ground running.
tick icon

Impact tracking

Use the StackUp score and objective measures to track your new CIO or CTO’s impact and the improvements they implement over time.

Get started free, in under 10 minutes

You don’t need to prepare anything, just answer the questions based on your current understanding. You’ll be emailed your personalised free report and a sample of the comprehensive StackUp report.

It's fast, free and confidential.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the complexities of planning, budgeting and hiring – we’ve got your back.
An illustration of StackUp test result

Case studies

tick icon

Telecommunications Organisation

Identified 5 critical issues, and 15 improvements they added directly into their roadmap within 24 hours.
tick icon

Cybersecurity Organisation

Identified 2 critical issues, and saved over $20,000 annually.
tick icon

Hospitality Organisation

Identified 3 cyber security risks that could have broken the business.
tick icon

SaaS Organisation

Prepared for seamless technology due diligence in advance of acquisition.
<
>

What our clients are saying

The insights and recommendations on where our technology needed improvement were so clear & useful we fed them directly into our backlog for actioning.
Andrew Smith, CTO at Launtel

Andrew Smith

CTO @ Launtel

StackUp helped us identify critical risks in our tech infrastructure, including future obstacles to scaling. They provided clear priorities to mitigate those risks - essential in securing our technology and ensuring we’re prepared for growth and corporate engagements.
Image of Dhruv Jolly, Founder and CEO at TapOnn

Dhruv Jolly

Founder & CEO @ TapOnn

A really helpful product to give context to CEOs, CTOs and Founders to validate where they are up to and where they can improve.
Mark Lynch

Mark Lynch

CTO & Founder @ Learnosity

StackUp provided us with invaluable insights helping us to identify opportunities for improvement. The recommendations in the report along with the insights and verification service have been a game changer for driving our tech strategy forward.
Image of Cody Harmon, Founder and CEO of Cruz

Cody Harmon

Founder & CEO @ Cruz

You don’t know what you don’t know even when you are the best in your game, StackUp's assessment unveiled crucial blind spots and areas for enhancement. The report's clarity and depth provided us with valuable, actionable insights for continuous improvement
Image of Ajay Unni

Ajay Unni

Founder & CEO @ StickmanCyber

We're a scaleup focused on rapid innovation and feature development. StackUp helped us find opportunities to make our offering more robust without sacrificing speed.
Image of Rafael Niesten

Rafael Niesten

Co-Founder @ Proptech Labs

Preparing for our next fundraise, StackUp's report identified critical areas for improvement and independent validation of our strengths. The insights and verification service provided tailored advice to revise our strategy and enabled us to approach future investment discussions with confidence. Strongly recommend these guys.
Image of David Hayes

David Hayes

CEO @ Babeltext

The StackUp assessment is comprehensive and fast. It provided insights enabling us to uplift our technology quickly.
Image of Justus Hammer

Justus Hammer

Co-Founder & CEO @ Mad Paws

<
>

You're in good company

FAQs

What makes StackUp different?

StackUp provides a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of technology and technology function processes, including strategy, employee engagement, service delivery, and innovation—not just security and compliance.

Our platform provides human-led, actionable insights, and supports informed decision making at every level, from Technology Leaders, to C-Level Executive to Board Members and Investors.

What if my technology leader makes a mistake on the assessment or doesn't know all the answers?

The assessment is designed to support accurate submissions regardless of knowledge level with "Don't Know" options ensuring no one feels pressured to guess.

This gap in knowledge being identified is valuable - a gap in knowledge which can be addressed through our insights and recommendations.

Who can benefit from using StackUp?

Technology leaders, C-level executives, board members and venture capital and private equity investors from companies of all sizes will find value in StackUp. It’s especially beneficial for those looking to identify areas for improvement, justify budget requests, and enhance overall technology performance.

How secure is our data with StackUp?

We employ robust security measures to ensure that all user data is encrypted, securely stored, and only accessible by authorised personnel. For any comparative purposes, all data is aggregated and anonymised to protect your privacy and confidentiality.

Will StackUp's assessment identify a bunch of problems that are going to cost a fortune and take ages to fix?

StackUp's assessment will identify any gaps in the fundamental technology health of your organisation.

However, most of these problems are relatively fast and cost effective to fix, and have an enormously positive impacts on the organisation: risk reduction, cost reduction, efficiency improvements, security improvements etc.

The StackUp algorithm provides a prioritised list of items to improve so you don't have to boil the ocean - tackle one high priority item at a time and resubmit to track your improvement. You can do this internally, or leverage our independent network of specialist suppliers.

The assessment is balanced - so it also highlights areas that are performing well and that should be celebrated.

How does StackUp relate to SOC 2, ISO, and other certifications and frameworks?

StackUp complements frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO by providing a broader perspective on technology maturity.

While certifications focus on meeting compliance and security standards, StackUp bridges the gap between compliance and excellence.

It helps organisations prepare for certifications by identifying areas that need improvement and offering actionable recommendations, making the certification process smoother and more efficient.

For certified organisations, StackUp delivers additional value through benchmarking, tailored insights, and practical guidance aligned with business goals.

By fostering continuous improvement, innovation, and scalability, StackUp enhances the value of certifications and aligns technology capabilities with broader business objectives.

While it does not replace formal certifications, it strengthens the foundation for achieving and maintaining them.

What does "entire technology function" mean?

The "entire technology function" refers to all the components and responsibilities that a technology leader (CTO, CIO, IT Manager) typically oversees. StackUp evaluates key areas that make up your organisation's digital capabilities, including:

  • Innovation and Strategy
  • Staff and Training
  • Cloud and Network
  • Data Security and Privacy
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Risk Management
  • Vendor Management
  • Technology Performance

This encompasses IT infrastructure, end-user computing, software development, application support, cybersecurity, data management, project management, and technology-driven innovation.

Technology leaders often excel in certain areas while encountering challenges in others.

StackUp identifies hidden risks, highlights opportunities for improvement, and helps align your organisation's digital operations with broader business goals. In essence, the technology function is the backbone that supports your organisation’s ability to innovate, scale, and perform effectively in a competitive environment.

Why should I use StackUp if my technology function is already performing well or if I am already addressing a few known issues?

Even if your technology function is performing well or you are actively working on a few known issues, StackUp helps you verify and showcase your excellence. By benchmarking against industry best practices and peers, you can uncover hidden strengths, validate your strategies, and gain certification that highlights your leadership.

StackUp also identifies 'unknown unknowns'—potential risks or opportunities you may not have considered—ensuring you stay ahead of the competition and continuously improve. Every technology leader is on a journey of improvement. While you may excel in areas like software development or cloud infrastructure, there may be gaps in others, such as data privacy or training. StackUp provides a holistic view of your entire technology function, enabling informed decisions and giving you the credit you deserve for your progress and performance.

Still have questions?