Turn Data Chaos into Profitable Growth
Everything you could ever need to complete your next project on time and within your budget.I’m César Zea, a Fractional CTO who couples 34 years of hands-on coding, planning, bidding, managing, and software design with board-level strategy. Whether building a Data & AI division from scratch for a global consultancy or rescuing high-risk projects for governments and enterprises across Europe and North America, I deliver battle-tested solutions, not theory
AI & Software Divisions Builder
Built and led revenue-driving Data & AI divisions on three continents.
Timeline Rescued High-Stakes Projects
Rescued $MM projects for brands like Hitachi Energy, IDERA & Telepizza, and many others.
34 Years of Proven Tech Leadership
Bridging C-Suite strategy with hands-on software engineering expertise.
Solutions for Your Toughest Challenges
With over 34 years of experience, I transform data chaos into profitable growth and sustainable innovation. My strategic leadership and hands-on engineering ensure comprehensive, successful solutions tailored to your unique challenges. Choose proven expertise to not only architect your technological future but also to build a robust foundation for long-term success.
Audit & Resource
AI Project Turnaround
Stabilise failing initiatives in 60 days
Rescue at-risk AI & Software projects. I stabilize failing initiatives, identifying and resolving key issues. Achieve a successful turnaround in just 60 days, securing your investment.
Fractional AI/CTO
Board-Level Tech Leadership
Strategy & execution at <30% FTE cost
Gain strategic, board-level technology leadership for your business. Drive your AI strategy and execution without the burden of a full-time CTO. Access top-tier expertise at less than 30% of a full-time equivalent cost.
Technical Due-Diligence
Investor Risk Radar
De-risk deals in under 3 weeks
Minimize investor risk with a comprehensive technical assessment. I identify vulnerabilities and opportunities in technology deals. Gain deep insights and de-risk your investments in under 3 weeks
Featured Case Study
Building a World-Class AI Department From Scratch
The Challenge
A global technology consultancy, Celestial Systems, needed to establish a world-class Data & AI practice to meet surging market demand. The challenge was to start from a blank slate: no team, no defined strategy, and no formal service offerings. This required a 360-degree leader who could build not just the technology, but the entire business engine around it.
My Role & The Strategy Applied
As the Principal Architect and single point of accountability, I orchestrated the entire initiative. My role blended strategic business leadership with deep, hands-on technical execution:
- Strategic Business Alignment:I designed the department's vision and strategic roadmap, then coordinated all activity between the commercial, business development, engineering departments, and the executive steering committee to ensure full alignment with corporate goals.
- Commercial & Pre-Sales Leadership:I actively drove the pre-sales pipeline by defining, supervising, and validating all technical proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) before signing, ensuring every project was set up for both technical success and commercial profitability.
- Technical Expertise & Talent Cultivation:I established specialized "Centers of Excellence" for key platforms including **Dataiku, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, and Databricks**. I personally designed the detailed training plans and led internal workshops to develop cutting-edge POCs for RAG, LLM, and advanced ML solutions.
- End-to-End Execution Ownership:From initial client contact to final delivery, I ensured the successful execution of all production work, guaranteeing quality and client satisfaction.
Results & Business Impact
- New High-Growth Business Unit:Established a fully functional and highly profitable Data & AI department, which became a primary engine for growth and strategic positioning for the entire company.
- Cultivated Deep In-House Expertise:Built a robust internal R&D capability and specialized technology groups, enabling the rapid development of sophisticated, cutting-edge solutions for clients.
- Proven Commercial Success:The department's robust pre-sales and delivery process led to successfully securing and delivering high-profile, high-margin projects for world-class clients like **Hitachi Energy** and **IDERA, Inc.**
- Scaled a Global, High-Performance Team: