Founding CTO (AI/ML / Data Product)

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Founding CTO (AI/ML / Data Product) based in South Africa.** We are looking for an entrepreneurial technology leader ready to turn AI and data expertise into a business of their own. This founding opportunity is designed for experienced engineers who want to move beyond implementing someone else's vision and build an AI-powered B2B venture from the ground up. Over a focused 12-week, fully remote program, you will validate a real market problem, define a product-led minimum viable product (MVP), and develop a working solution with measurable business value. You will shape the technical architecture, data strategy, and deployment approach while establishing a compelling competitive advantage. Supported by experienced mentors, fellow founders, and a global startup network, you will refine your product and prepare an investor-ready technology vision. This is an opportunity to combine technical leadership, product thinking, and founder ambition to launch or join a founding team. ### Accountabilities: As a founding technology leader, you will drive the technical and product development of an AI-powered B2B venture, balancing feasibility, customer needs, and commercial potential throughout the 12-week program. - Identify and validate a B2B problem where AI can deliver measurable value through time savings, cost reduction, or risk mitigation. - Define a product-focused MVP that addresses a clear customer need rather than prioritizing model complexity for its own sake. - Design the data strategy, including data collection, labeling, evaluation, monitoring, and continuous improvement. - Architect and deliver a reliable prototype or MVP, incorporating APIs, data pipelines, appropriate safeguards, and feedback loops. - Establish foundational production practices for model deployment, monitoring, reliability, and ongoing performance evaluation. - Iterate on the product based on validation results, user feedback, and evolving business requirements. - Develop a compelling technical and product narrative for potential investors, explaining the venture's competitive advantage, data strategy, and product roadmap. - Collaborate with co-founders, mentors, and other startup participants to refine the business concept and accelerate execution. - Dedicate approximately 10–12 hours per week to building, validating, and improving the venture over the 12-week sprint. **Requirements:** The ideal candidate is an experienced software engineer with strong AI/ML or data product expertise, a product-oriented mindset, and the ambition to take ownership of a new business venture. - At least 7 years of experience in software engineering, with substantial exposure to AI/ML or data-driven products. - Demonstrated experience deploying software, machine learning models, or data products into production environments. - Understanding of MLOps fundamentals, including deployment, monitoring, reliability, and performance evaluation. - Ability to design practical AI and data solutions that address real business problems and deliver measurable outcomes. - Strong product judgment, with the ability to define MVP scope, prioritize essential functionality, and determine when a solution is ready for validation. - Experience or familiarity with APIs, data pipelines, evaluation frameworks, and production-ready system design. - An entrepreneurial mindset, with a genuine desire to build a company, take ownership of technical decisions, and participate in the potential upside of a venture. - Ability to work independently, make decisions under uncertainty, and move quickly from problem discovery to product execution. - Willingness to commit approximately 10–12 hours per week for 12 weeks. - Interest in collaborating with co-founders, engaging with mentors, and developing an investor-ready vision for an AI-powered B2B business. **Benefits:** - A structured, 12-week startup sprint to progress from problem discovery to MVP development, validation, and iteration. - Fully remote participation with an international community of founders and technology professionals. - Weekly accountability sessions and a consistent execution cadence to maintain momentum and focus. - Access to a network of more than 500 mentors specializing in B2B businesses, product development, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising. - Connections to a global alumni network of more than 440 startups across over 40 countries, offering opportunities for learning, collaboration, and introductions. - A practical CTO toolkit for AI ventures, covering product scoping, model evaluation, deployment, and the development of a defensible competitive advantage. - The opportunity to become a co-founder or join a founding team and build an AI-powered business with long-term growth potential. - A participation fee is required after acceptance to secure commitment to the cohort.