CTO Co-Founder (Equity-no salary)

Tasks

HOPn UG is looking for a highly committed CTO Co-Founder to join immediately and lead the company’s technology vision, product development, and technical execution.

This is a remote, unpaid, equity-based co-founder role with 15%–25% equity, depending on experience, execution ability, leadership capacity, technical strength, and long-term commitment. There is no immediate salary until HOPn secures funding, revenue, grants, or investment.

The CTO Co-Founder will play a central role in shaping the future of HOPn as an international, multidisciplinary organization. This person will lead the development and execution of the company’s technology strategy, oversee software and product development, design IT architecture, and drive innovation through practical technical implementation.

This role requires someone who can work independently, move fast, solve problems, build MVPs and demos quickly, lead teams, and help connect technology execution with business growth.

The ideal candidate must be available to focus 100% on HOPn and should not be committed to another job, startup, or major project.

Requirements

The CTO Co-Founder will:

• Lead HOPn’s technology vision, strategy, roadmap, and execution.
• Design and oversee IT architecture, software systems, platforms, and digital products.
• Build MVPs, demos, prototypes, and scalable product features quickly.
• Lead software development and product development across multiple HOPn projects.
• Work hands-on with PHP, Node.js, Python, frontend technologies, Flutter, APIs, cloud tools, and AI-assisted development workflows.
• Use modern AI tools and “vibe coding” methods to accelerate development and implementation.
• Define technical priorities and convert business ideas into working technology solutions.
• Manage, mentor, and support current technical team members.
• Hire, organize, and lead future developers, designers, engineers, and technical contributors.
• Oversee cross-functional technical projects and ensure efficient delivery.
• Support investor conversations, technical due diligence, grant applications, and grant proposal writing.
• Help prepare technical sections of pitch decks, investor materials, partnership proposals, and funding applications.
• Speak with customers, partners, users, and stakeholders to understand needs and translate feedback into product improvements.
• Drive innovation using AI, cloud computing, automation, APIs, and emerging technologies.
• Solve technical problems quickly and create practical solutions under startup conditions.
• Ensure systems are functional, efficient, secure, scalable, and aligned with HOPn’s long-term goals.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have: