How many years of overall experience in technology should someone have to become a CTO in SMEs and Startups?

Leadership

2 - 3 Years11%

4 - 5 Years42%

5+ Years24%

10+ Years20%

Other (please specify)1%

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CTO in Healthcare and Biotech2 years ago

It is a combination of years + results + innovation + business knowledge to become a CTO.

CTO in Education3 years ago

I selected 5+ years, but it is far more complicated than that. I have known people with a couple of years of experience who made great CTOs. I have known people with 20+ years of (often very senior) experience who could never be a CTO (especially in a startup).

The most important thing to me is someone who has learned to seek out and accept help and guidance is those areas where they are not strong. No one can be an expert in everything.

CTO in Services (non-Government)3 years ago

I was surprised that the highest percentage is at 4-5 years. To gain enough relevant experience in that amount of time to manage software engineering teams, DevOps, R&D, etc along with the appropriate people management skills, maturity, and communications skills to work effectively with other company departments seems unlikely.

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