# Technical advisor

Concept · [Talent and hiring](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/talent)

Also called: technical adviser, tech advisor, technology advisor, engineering advisor

An experienced [engineer](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/software-engineer) or technology leader who gives a startup occasional advice on technical choices, such as what to build on and whom to hire. They do not run the work, which is the difference from a [fractional CTO](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fractional-cto), and are often paid in [equity](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/equity).

**For example:** A [founder](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/founder) meets a technical advisor once a month to sanity-check a [contractor](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/contractor-vs-employee)'s proposal, and [grants](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/grant) [advisor shares](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/advisor-shares) in return.

## Connects to (4)

- [Advisor shares](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/advisor-shares): A small amount of equity a startup gives an advisor in return for ongoing help, usually as stock options that vest over the period of the…
- [Fractional CTO](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fractional-cto): A part-time chief technology officer.
- [Mentor](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mentor): An experienced person who gives a founder guidance.
- [Technical co-founder](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/technical-co-founder): A founding partner who can build the product themselves and who makes the technology decisions.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/technical-advisor