Let's Build Something Together
Have a project in mind? We'd love to hear about it. Let's discuss how Play Concepts can help you build, scale, or transform your technical organisation.
Location
Cambridge, UK
Response Time
We typically respond within 24-48 hours. For urgent matters, please email directly at terry.lee@playconcepts.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fractional CTO and how can they help my startup?
A fractional CTO provides part-time executive technical leadership for startups and scale-ups. They help with technology strategy, architecture decisions, team mentoring, and investor communication—without the cost of a full-time hire. This is ideal when your engineering team is growing (5-10+ people) and needs senior guidance but you're not yet ready for a full-time CTO.
What does a founding engineer do for early-stage startups?
A founding engineer acts as your technical co-founder, architecting your system from the ground up, building your MVP, shipping your first product, and helping you hire a permanent technical team. Unlike a dev shop, they're invested in your success—often through equity—ensuring you get scalable, production-ready code from day one.
What types of companies do you work with?
Play Concepts primarily works with startups and scale-ups in regulated industries—particularly healthcare, fintech, and digital identity. We also advise investors and enterprises on technical strategy and due diligence. Our 30+ years of experience in privacy-preserving architectures and regulated systems makes us ideal for companies handling sensitive data.
How much does a fractional CTO cost in the UK?
Fractional CTO services typically work on a monthly retainer basis for 1-3 days per week. The investment varies based on scope and commitment level, but generally represents significant savings compared to a full-time CTO salary (£120k-£200k+ annually) while providing access to senior technical leadership when you need it.
Do you work remotely with companies outside Cambridge?
Yes, we work remote-first from Cambridge, UK and serve clients globally. While we're based in Cambridge—one of Europe's leading tech hubs—we regularly work with startups in London, across the UK, and internationally. For certain advisory engagements, on-site visits can be arranged as needed.
What is technical due diligence and when do I need it?
Technical due diligence is an independent assessment of a company's technology, architecture, team, and technical risks—typically conducted before an investment or acquisition. You need it when evaluating a startup investment, acquiring a technology company, or validating technical claims before a major business decision.
What technologies do you specialize in?
Our primary technology stack includes Elixir/Phoenix/Ash for scalable, concurrent systems; Python/FastAPI for data-intensive applications; PostgreSQL and MongoDB for data storage; and AWS/Docker/Terraform for cloud infrastructure. We specialize in privacy-preserving architectures, verifiable credentials (vLEI), and healthcare interoperability (HL7 FHIR).
How quickly can you start a new engagement?
We typically have some availability for new engagements. After an initial conversation to assess fit, we can usually begin within 2-4 weeks. Founding Engineer engagements may require more lead time for intensive involvement, while advisory consultations can often start sooner.
Ready to start the conversation?
Every successful engagement starts with a simple conversation. Reach out and let's explore the possibilities.
Send an Email