Multiple PE Exits. CTO/SVP Experience. Built for Value Creation.
Technology leadership forged through multiple successful PE transactions and extensive operating experience. Now helping PE partners create technology value.
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Grant Howe
Fractional CTO | Independent Board Member | Growth Advisor
Grant Howe is a technology executive with over 25 years of experience building and scaling software organizations. As Global CTO at ECI Software Solutions, he led technology strategy through two successful PE exits, integrated 27+ acquisitions, and migrated 15 products from on-premise to cloud SaaS while tripling company revenue.
Prior to ECI, Grant served as SVP of R&D at Sage, where he drove ARR growth from $27M to $85M and led the technology organization through a successful exit to Accel-KKR (becoming Abila).
Today, Grant helps PE partners and portfolio companies through Geekbyte LLC, providing Fractional CTO services and independent board advisory. He currently serves on the board of Cinch Ops, bringing enterprise-scale governance to growth-stage companies.
Throughout his 25-year career, Grant has built deep expertise across manufacturing, distribution, field service, nonprofit, government, and enterprise software sectors—navigating every delivery model from on-premise to hosted to cloud SaaS. His technical foundation includes developing enterprise-grade security, performance monitoring, and systems administration platforms, including pioneering work creating the first smart stamp software for the US Postal Service. This combination of hands-on technical depth and cross-sector experience enables Grant to identify patterns and solutions that others miss.
Operating Experience
Global CTO Experience
Global CTO at PE-backed software company. Tripled company revenue during tenure. Led technology integration for numerous M&A acquisitions. Migrated multiple on-premise products to cloud SaaS. Successful exits to major PE firms.
SVP R&D Experience
SVP of R&D leading technology organization. Drove significant ARR growth through organic and inorganic strategies. Successful PE exit transaction. Post-acquisition technology integration leadership.
Multi-Vertical Technology Leadership
25+ Years Executive Experience across manufacturing, distribution, field service, nonprofit, government, and enterprise software sectors. Commercial software development across on-premise, hosted, and SaaS/Cloud delivery models. Building and scaling technology organizations that deliver measurable business value.
Board Roles
Independent Board Member providing technology oversight and strategic guidance. Startup advisory leveraging enterprise experience. Governance and risk management perspective.
Why PE Partners Choose Me
I've been on both sides of the table. As a technology executive through multiple PE exits, I know exactly what buyers look for and what drives multiples.
Exit Process Experience
I know what buyers look for in technology due diligence because I've been through it. I know what questions they ask, what red flags they find, and what drives multiples higher.
Roll-Up and Integration Expertise
Extensive M&A integrations taught me how to combine platforms, retain talent, and accelerate value creation. I understand the complexity of technology consolidation in PE environments.
Cloud Transformation Track Record
Numerous products migrated from on-premise to cloud SaaS. I know how to modernize legacy platforms while protecting recurring revenue and minimizing customer disruption.
What I Deliver for PE Partners
Every engagement is focused on one thing: protecting and accelerating your investment returns.
- Exit Readiness: Technology documentation and architecture that withstands buyer due diligence
- Value Creation: Cloud migration, platform modernization, and operational efficiency that drives EBITDA
- Risk Mitigation: Honest technical assessments that identify issues before they impact multiples
- Integration Velocity: Proven playbooks for M&A technology consolidation that accelerate synergies
- Team Assessment: Objective evaluation of technology leadership to inform hiring and retention decisions
Let's Discuss Your Portfolio Technology Needs
Whether you need due diligence on an acquisition target, a Fractional CTO for a portfolio company, or board-level technology oversight, I bring the PE perspective.
Schedule a Partner Discussion