Who we are
Product and engineering leaders who have built, scaled, and sold software.
NextCycle.ai is a boutique product and technology consultancy led by Jonathan Moss and Rick Chatham. We provide fractional CPO and CTO leadership, product strategy, and technical architecture to startups and growth-stage software companies. Our work spans vertical SaaS, B2B marketplaces, civic technology, and AI enablement across the full company lifecycle, from pre-launch validation through growth, modernization, and exit readiness. We are based in Dallas, Texas, and work with clients nationwide.
The principals
Two people. Both on your engagement.
We are not a partnership assembled for a pitch. Jonathan and Rick have worked in the same building twice before: at a vertical SaaS company where Jonathan ran product and Rick led the post-acquisition integration as general manager, and again at a B2B SaaS platform during its scale-up. The product and engineering handoff between us is already worked out.
Jonathan Moss
Principal · Product
Jonathan is a product strategist and fractional CPO with over fifteen years building and scaling software products. As VP and Head of Product Management at a B2B SaaS company, he led the business to product-market fit and grew ARR from $3M to $10M, expanding the addressable market from $100M to $1.5B by moving the product line from SMB to mid-market. Before that, he held product roles across payments, event management, and connected-home energy.
His work focuses on founder-led companies making the transition from a roadmap in the CEO's head to a durable product organization, and on AI product decisions, most recently advising a national retailer's digital transformation group on build-versus-buy for AI-powered visualization.
He holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business and a B.A. in Politics from the University of Dallas. Before his product career, he served as a U.S. Army officer with two combat deployments and received the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.
LinkedInRick Chatham
Principal · Technology
Rick is an engineering leader and technical architect with over twenty years building SaaS platforms, cloud architectures, and the teams that run them. He co-founded a church management SaaS platform, secured its initial funding and first twelve enterprise clients, and architected the system that scaled to large institutions worldwide. Years later, he returned as general manager to lead its post-acquisition separation and Azure migration across more than sixty transition service agreements.
He has built engineering and product organizations from scratch at three additional companies and founded four ventures. His focus areas are AWS and serverless architecture, SaaS platform design, post-acquisition integration, and technical due diligence. He is currently building AI-assisted products on AWS.
He is an AWS Certified Solutions Architect and Certified Developer, a Certified ScrumMaster and Product Owner. He holds a Master of Music in Composition from the University of North Texas, with graduate coursework in computer science, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Tennessee.
LinkedInWho we work with
And who we do not.
We work best with: seed-to-Series B software companies, founders moving from founder-led product decisions to a real product organization, vertical SaaS, B2B marketplaces, civic technology, and companies adding AI to an existing product. We also support teams preparing for a raise, acquisition, or platform rebuild.
We are probably not right for: pre-revenue idea validation, agency-style feature delivery, or companies looking to outsource engineering wholesale.
What we value
Clear thinking before expensive execution.
Thoughtful decision-making
We would rather spend a week framing the right question than a quarter executing the wrong answer.
Fast iteration backed by data
Every recommendation comes with the metric that will tell you whether it worked.
Long-term partnerships
We work alongside leaders and leave teams with stronger systems, judgment, and ownership.
Common questions
Questions about NextCycle.ai
What is NextCycle.ai?
NextCycle.ai is a product and technology consultancy that provides fractional CPO and CTO leadership, product strategy, and technical architecture to startups and growth-stage software companies.
Who runs NextCycle.ai?
NextCycle.ai is run by two principals: Jonathan Moss, who leads product strategy and fractional CPO engagements, and Rick Chatham, who leads technical architecture and engineering leadership.
What is a fractional CPO?
A fractional CPO is an experienced product executive who works with a company part-time to provide senior product leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. NextCycle.ai provides fractional CPO services from seed stage through Series B.
What industries does NextCycle.ai work in?
NextCycle.ai works primarily in vertical SaaS, B2B marketplaces, civic and government technology, and with companies adding AI capabilities to existing products.
How long is a typical engagement?
Engagement length varies by scope and company phase. Work begins with a focused assessment, is sized around a defined outcome, and ends with a clear handoff to the client team.
Where is NextCycle.ai located?
NextCycle.ai is based in Dallas, Texas, and works with clients nationwide.
Start a conversation
Bring us the hard question
A short call, no deck. We will tell you if we are not the right fit.