Technology Leadership for PE Portfolio Companies
GeekByte provides executive-level technology advisory to PE firms and their portfolio companies. I bring the perspective that only comes from operating experience—Global CTO through multiple exits, 27+ acquisitions integrated, 15 cloud migrations completed, and board-level governance across manufacturing, distribution, and enterprise software sectors.
PE partners work with me for honest technical assessments, exit readiness, M&A integration expertise, and interim CTO leadership during critical growth phases. My value isn't in doing the work for you—it's in helping your teams make better decisions faster, based on patterns I've seen across dozens of companies and successful exits.
Grant Howe
Fractional CTO | Independent Board Member | PE Technology Advisor
Grant Howe brings 25+ years of technology executive experience across multiple successful PE exits. As Global CTO at ECI Software Solutions, he led technology strategy through two PE transactions, integrated 27+ acquisitions, and migrated 15 on-premise products to cloud SaaS—tripling company revenue during his tenure.
Prior to ECI, Grant served as SVP of R&D at Sage, driving the technology organization through significant ARR growth and a successful exit to Accel-KKR. His technical foundation includes hands-on development of enterprise-grade security platforms, performance monitoring systems, and USPS-certified software—giving him the credibility to evaluate architecture decisions at the code level.
Grant currently serves as an independent board member at Cinch Ops and provides fractional CTO and advisory services to PE-backed portfolio companies. His focus is on technology strategy, M&A integration, technical due diligence, and exit readiness—helping companies avoid expensive mistakes and accelerate value creation.
Grant's cross-sector experience spans manufacturing, distribution, field service, nonprofit, and enterprise software—giving him the pattern recognition to identify what works across different technical and business contexts. Recent advisory work includes helping CTOs navigate AI adoption strategies and architecture decisions for companies building new AI-native capabilities.
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.
What You Get Working with Me
I bring the operating experience and pattern recognition that comes from building technology organizations through multiple PE exits. No consulting frameworks—just honest assessments from someone who's lived through what your portfolio companies are facing.
Proven PE Track Record
Multiple successful exits as Global CTO and SVP R&D. Led technology organizations through two PE transactions at ECI, including post-acquisition integration. Navigated exit to Accel-KKR at Sage. Current independent board member at Cinch Ops. I understand PE value creation from the operator's seat—not the consultant's pitch deck.
Pattern Recognition from Scale
27+ acquisitions integrated. 15 cloud migrations completed. Cross-sector experience spanning manufacturing, distribution, field service, nonprofit, and enterprise software. I've seen the technology decisions that accelerate exits—and the ones that kill them. That pattern recognition saves your portfolio companies months of expensive trial-and-error.
Executive-Level Perspective
I think like a CTO, not a consultant. Technology decisions connected to business value. Honest risk assessments that don't soft-pedal problems. Board-level governance that translates technical complexity for investment committees. Your portfolio companies get strategic thinking, not staff augmentation.
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