There's a huge difference between a Dropbox and an Uber here.
Dropbox is a technology company. This is famously a place where deeply technical leaders can achieve competitive advantage. The whole company exists to support the tech, so if the tech fails, bad.
Uber (and most startups really) don't do tech, they use tech to drive sales. Of course the tech is important but it's a solution not a driver. Here I agree that a "well-rounded" tech-average CTO can be advantageous.
Tech strategy is where everything converges. If products literally live or die by it, you better have a crack technologist at the top.
Dropbox is a technology company. This is famously a place where deeply technical leaders can achieve competitive advantage. The whole company exists to support the tech, so if the tech fails, bad.
Uber (and most startups really) don't do tech, they use tech to drive sales. Of course the tech is important but it's a solution not a driver. Here I agree that a "well-rounded" tech-average CTO can be advantageous.
Tech strategy is where everything converges. If products literally live or die by it, you better have a crack technologist at the top.