Anand Bhatnagar

Expertise

Where I add the most value

The strategic, technical, and leadership range a CTO engagement draws on.

🧭

Technology Strategy & Architecture

Technical roadmap & build-vs-buy decisions
0-to-1 product architecture
Microservices & event-driven systems (REST/gRPC, Pub/Sub)
Scaled platforms to 100,000+ users at 99.9% uptime

🤖

AI-Driven Engineering (4+ yrs)

GitHub Copilot Certified
AI-driven development workflows & agentic automation
GenAI/LLM pipelines (OpenAI, LangChain, RAG)
Shipped monetizable AI products & revenue streams

☁️

Cloud & Infrastructure

GCP Certified Professional Cloud Architect
Kubernetes (GKE) & Docker at scale
Serverless & CDN edge architecture (Cloudflare)
Infra cost optimization for lean runway

🔐

Security & Compliance

Cryptography & security-critical services (Apple)
HTTP tunneling & secure infra design
Smart contract security (ERC-20/721)
Production risk & reliability management

👥

Team Leadership & Delivery

Led & mentored a 15-engineer team
Code review & delivery ownership
Cross-functional coordination on enterprise deliverables
Agile delivery & Git-flow process

🚀

Founder & Startup Partnership

0-to-1 builds under funding-round deadlines
Backed a successful seed round with a 3-month build
Pre-seed to Series A, AI/SaaS focus
Fractional, advisory, or full-time engagement

Experience

Career highlights

8+ years leading backend, cloud, and AI-driven platforms.

Lead Developer · Cognizant Technology Solutions (Client: Apple Inc.)

Feb 2024 – Present

Reduced request latency by 25–30% through cryptography optimization and Kubernetes tuning.
Technical lead for security-critical services, owning cryptography and HTTP tunneling components end-to-end.
Built AI/ML-driven workflows that automated manual processes, increasing team throughput by 20%.
Led and mentored a 15-engineer team, owning delivery, code reviews, and cross-functional coordination across 3 enterprise-scale deliverables.

Software Development Engineer II · Reclation Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Aug 2021 – Jan 2024

Architected a serverless backend for Kamoto AI supporting 100,000+ active AI personas at 99.9% uptime.
Engineered GenAI pipelines that created a new monetizable revenue stream.
Built full-stack APIs for Comearth, a Web3 metaverse platform, integrating blockchain transactions and wallet auth.
Reduced NFT-minting transaction failures for NFTically through robust smart contract and multi-tenant design.
Took primary ownership of planning and building a full product application in 3 months, directly supporting a successful seed funding round.
Cut hosting and infra costs by offloading static site delivery to CloudFront/Cloudflare Pages, reducing origin server load.

Software Developer · Tosh Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

Sep 2020 – Aug 2021

Built the backend for Academically, a multi-tenant LMS supporting concurrent live classes and custom domain white-labeling.
Delivered 20+ product modules end-to-end, from MySQL/MongoDB schema design to frontend implementation.

Software Developer · Docent Computer Technology Pvt. Ltd.

Jul 2017 – Sep 2020

Owned 0-to-1 development of SaaS products for the courier and billing industries, from requirements to cloud deployment.
Built a GST-compliant financial engine processing 10,000 monthly transactions with 100% tax-calculation accuracy.

How I Work

Engagement models

Three ways to work together — pick what fits your stage. Full-time is an exclusive commitment; it doesn't run alongside the other two.

Advisor / Guide

2–4 hrs/week

Architecture & technical decision reviews
Ad-hoc mentorship for your existing team
Lightest-touch, sounding-board style
Can expand into the fractional model later

Not hands-on implementation; best when you already have engineers driving day-to-day delivery

Fractional CTO

8 hrs/week minimum

Hands-on architecture, infra & security setup
Ongoing technical advisory as you scale
Month-to-month, scope adjusts with your needs
Pre-seed to Series A, AI/SaaS focus

Hiring/recruiting support isn't part of this engagement

Full-time CTO

Full-time, exclusive

Full ownership of technical strategy & architecture
Team building & hiring as part of the role
Core member of your leadership team
Long-term commitment to one company

An exclusive commitment — not run alongside fractional/advisory engagements

FAQs

Common questions

What engagement models do you offer?: Three: Advisor/Guide (2–4 hrs/week), Fractional CTO (8 hrs/week minimum), and Full-time CTO (exclusive, dedicated).
Can I combine full-time with fractional or advisory work?: No — full-time CTO is an exclusive commitment and doesn't run alongside fractional/advisory engagements.
Do you help with hiring?: Hiring/recruiting support isn't included in the advisor or fractional models; as a full-time CTO, team building is part of the role.
Can an advisory engagement grow into something bigger?: Yes — advisory engagements commonly expand into the fractional model as needs grow.
What stage and industry are you the best fit for?: Pre-seed to Series A companies, particularly in AI and SaaS.
Do you work remotely?: Yes — based in India, working remotely with teams worldwide.

Fractional & Full-time CTO · AI-Driven Development Expert