[IncRnd]

Why do you believe that you need a CTO? Your post, while short, seems like what you really need is a programmer or two.

Presumably, someone wrote the program which you have been contracted to provide to customers? Why can't you go to the original party who wrote the program? Is "contracted" the correct word in your case? That would mean that you have already entered into a written contract to provide something to customers.

Or, are you saying that you entered into a contract to purchase a program, you showed the program to some people, they want some changes, and you need someone to change the program?

[threesevens]

I do need a programmer, but I would like someone that also takes accountability and ownership of the business. Eventually they'd grow into a CTO role.

I wanted a product made for my own use case, so I paid someone to make it. Now I'm showing people, and there are minor changes they'd want.

[IncRnd]

That makes sense. I really hope that takes off for you.

Regarding a CTO, though, maybe a business manager would work for you. That certainly sounds cheaper to me, and you'd still control the product direction if desired.