SaaStr

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

25x’d Revenue and Crossed $100M ARR Apollo.io, an all-in-one go-to-market platform, underwent a significant transformation in its business model that led to remarkable growth. From Sales-Led to Product-Led: How Apollo.io

Scale 162

Scale Scaling Outsourced Development Sales 162

Tom Tunguz

AUGUST 10, 2017

Recently, New York seed investor Jerry Neumann spoke on the show and talked about three key ideas on the technology innovation cycle. The investment risks are lessened, because infrastructure exists, business models are clearer and demand more apparent. First, he discussed reading Carlota Perez Technological Surge Cycle.

Innovation 183

Innovation Technology Finance Interviewing 183

Tom Tunguz

JANUARY 22, 2023

The current wave of layoffs, a difficult component of the innovation boom/bust cycle, differs from the previous years’ dynamics. B2B companies have reduced headcount to a greater extent than at any time since 2020. In the last three years, B2C startups’ ratio of layoffs have dwarfed B2B layoffs. In 2020, B2C companies cut 8.8x

B2C 315

B2C B2B Headcount Business Model 315

Payrix

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The world of Embedded Payments saw remarkable developments in 2024, shaping strategies and innovations across the industry. Software companies are increasingly integrating payments as a core component of their business models rather than treating them as ancillary features.

Payments 130

Payments Embedded Payments Merchant Services Payment Services 130

Payrix

JANUARY 10, 2025

With over a decade of experience driving product innovation, David offers easy to understand definitions and valuable insights into how platforms can build trust, reduce risk, and deliver frictionless merchant boarding experiences that enrich the entire payments ecosystem. Whats on the horizon? First, identity. So, is this merchant real?

Merchant Services 130

Merchant Services Payment Services Payment Solutions Payments 130

SaaStr

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Historically, the business model has been to sell radio ads, and the people running the ads are typically local businesses. The problem is that when a BDR called these businesses, the person on the other end didn’t have the budget or know-how to create an effective ad. Multimodal models are core to Abridge.

Cloud 167

Cloud AI Artificial Intelligence Healthcare 167

SaaStr

JUNE 13, 2021

. #2 Category-defining products require new business models. Businesses often build something powerful but don’t create the proper value package, and it fails in the market. When you’re bringing an innovative product to fruition, it requires a business model that’s built for it specifically.

Scale 250

Scale Scaling Business Model Company Culture 250

Tom Tunguz

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

But broad rejection of the advances is as myopic as unmitigated zealotry for the innovations of web3. In short, technology advances have an installation phase when frenzy for an innovation drives speculative investment, with periods punctuated by rapture & collapse. Investors will value these companies based on revenues.

Technical Review 250

Technical Review Innovation Technology Business Model 250

SaaStr

NOVEMBER 25, 2022

They demonstrate spectacular growth and expansion while revolutionizing and disrupting industries with new business models. Scaling to satisfy customers’ demands depends on innovation and foresight combined with enterprise-ready technology and the right partners. How Atlassian does business . Scale-ups are exciting.

Scale 261

Scale Scaling Marketplace as a Service Entrepreneurship 261

SaaStr

APRIL 20, 2024

The current business model for software companies involves spending a significant portion of revenue on sales, regardless of available tools and automation. However, human oversight is still necessary to ensure accuracy and handle complex situations.

Sales Hiring 301

Sales Hiring Startup Marketing Technical Review 301

SaaStr

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Open Source is one of the most successful enablers of global innovation in history, and Linux has grown into the most important software platform in the world, dominating every market it enters. Innovation happens more easily on Open Source in a SaaS model. Open Source is an innovation that’s here to stay. Key takeaways.

Enterprise 246

Enterprise AI SaaS AWS 246

SaaStr

JANUARY 19, 2023

For example, there are certain technology platforms that are not compatible with others so that can be a nonstarter. It’s worth investigating whether the company has deeply penetrated an aspirational market and whether or not it has a business model compatible with your own. Visit the SAP.iO

Technical Review 261

Technical Review Startup Scale Sales Hiring 261

SaaStr

JUNE 5, 2020

Carlota Perez argues in her book Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital that in the early days of a “golden age”, financial capital is necessary to fuel new technology innovation. . Salesforce’s IPO is also seen as a test of a new business model that could shake up the software industry. Why Let Banks In?

Venture Capital 297

Venture Capital Technical Review Scale SaaS 297

SaaStr

AUGUST 15, 2024

So, when you’re designing and building a product, think about the problems you’re solving for and the business models to support those products. If you’re lucky enough to find a problem to build a business around and put your first iteration of the product in place, there’s a way to put users on your team.

Scale 310

Scale Sales Hiring Scaling Innovation 310

SaaStr

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

A Pivot From Growth At All Costs To Driving Profitability The Cloud model of recurring revenue, low marginal distribution costs, and strong net dollar retention dynamics is possibly one of the best and most resilient business models ever invented. There’s been a pivot from growth at all costs to driving profitability.

Cloud 306

Cloud Payments Software Review Payment Solutions 306

SaaStr

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

But if you come up with a big vision and figure out a true displacement business model for ten years from now, the market won’t be ready for it. Incumbents : Startups might have an edge over incumbents due to their agility, access to top AI talent, and ability to innovate rapidly. You will have no customers.

AI 307

AI Technical Review Startup Management 307

SaaStr

MARCH 7, 2024

We had a great one last time with Harpinder Singh, Partner at Innovation Endeavors. However, this enthusiasm is notably more focused on specific segments and business models. Businesses involved in AI, climate, and generally any software ventures that demonstrate efficient growth are experiencing high demand.

Payments 278

Payments Payment Services Payment Solutions Scale 278

SaaStr

MAY 12, 2022

Offering its services as a freemium-based model, CircleCI recognizes driving trials as the cornerstone of a go-to-market strategy for any developer tool. . Jim Rose, CEO of CircleCI, leverages his experience marketing to software developers to discuss the merits of moving from a subscription-based to a usage-based business model.

Scale 261

Scale Payments SaaS Payments Payment Services 261

SaaStr

OCTOBER 26, 2022

Put users at the center of product decisions, innovate with a hypothesis-driven approach, then align your business model with user interests. Values help accelerate teamwork and innovation—and thus PLG—at scale. Build an exceptional product with your users. As you move beyond the first five people, things break.

Enterprise 257

Enterprise Scale Sales Communication 257

Andreessen Horowitz

MAY 6, 2024

For Founders Make It Make Sense Venture capital is where innovation meets investment. In order to understand the risks associated with a potential investment, conduct due diligence alongside your investment advisor to evaluate the company’s business model and market potential.

Technical Review 104

Technical Review Innovation Technical Cofounder Development Team Review 104

SaaStr

DECEMBER 28, 2023

Many founders hit the brakes on growth to pivot towards profitability when in reality, the right combination is aiming for durable growth with a profitable business model. 2024 looks like it will be a busy year; there are over 400 growth stage companies in the US who haven’t fundraised in over 2 years.

Technical Review 279

Technical Review Software Review Payment Solutions Venture Capital 279

SaaStr

MARCH 30, 2022

Or, it might originate as an intrinsic reason, such as when Atlassian decided to move their business model to become a SaaS platform. Bharadwaj recommends investing more on the “building” side of the business that focuses on creating the best possible product for the customer, with sales focusing most of their efforts on expansion.

Scale 274

Scale Sales Hiring Marketplace as a Service Construction 274

SaaStr

MARCH 9, 2022

Pursue Diverse Revenue Models. Sometimes, it takes innovative thinking to pull more revenue out of a current customer base or business model. Clayton begins by sharing the key levers that accelerate growth from the $100 million mark to $1 billion. Think of this as squeezing more juice from the same lemon.

Revenue 261

Revenue Sales Hiring Leadership Scale 261

SaaStr

APRIL 14, 2023

So if you’re trying to fit your business model into what SaaS looks like in the U.S. Mistake #4: Orienting The Business By Series Instead Of Milestones If you have a burning need to resolve and want to change the world, then do a full pick-up plan. This business models assume the end user knows how to use it.

Development Team Review 261

Development Team Review Technical Review Underperforming Technical Team SMB 261

SaaStr

MARCH 29, 2023

Understand what makes you different Innovation and differentiation are critical. Seek ways to help others grow Damien uses what he refers to as the karma business model and suggests everything starts with sharing and giving. As a result, the karma business model is a virtuous cycle. Delivering.

Sales Hiring 241

Sales Hiring Scale Strategy Metrics 241

Tom Tunguz

APRIL 14, 2019

In meeting many of these innovative businesses, I’ve observed they face three strategic questions. Classic agencies don’t value the software enough to engender pricing power, develop fast sales cycles, or change the operations of their business to maximize the value of the ML innovation.

AI 203

AI Sales Recruiting Underperforming Technical Team Artificial Intelligence 203

SaaStr

JUNE 17, 2023

Innovation is often born out of necessity – this couldn’t be truer than in 2023. SaaS businesses were forced to adapt quickly or risk being left behind as consumer behaviors shifted dramatically due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.

Venture Capital 272

Venture Capital Scale Technical Review Software Review 272

SaaStr

JANUARY 4, 2024

Especially in this macro environment, investors don’t just want to see top line revenue growth; they want to see that you can achieve that growth with sound business fundamentals. #4. The pace of innovation in AI today is like nothing I’ve ever seen before in my career. What’s your pulse check on the venture markets right now, today?

Management 273

Management CTO Hire New CTO CTO 273

Intercom, Inc.

DECEMBER 31, 2019

What was perhaps less predictable was the ensuing prevalence of the subscription-based business model. Cloud computing spent a long, long time as a nebulous buzzword, until one day everyone realized it wasn’t a buzzword at all, just a way of describing the infrastructure underpinning the decade’s technological progress.

Payment Solutions 259

Payment Solutions Payment Methods Software SaaS Payments 259

SaaStr

MARCH 8, 2023

But in general, urgency is always helpful, balanced with thoughtfulness for what you want your business to look like over the next 30 years. Don’t Tie Revenue To Headcount “You want to get away from a business model where every incremental dollar requires incremental hiring,” says Deatsch.

Sales Hiring 261

Sales Hiring Enterprise Headcount Scale 261

FastSpring

APRIL 26, 2024

With over 150,000 visitors, VivaTech contributes to the acceleration of innovation by connecting startups, technology leaders, large companies and investors addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Where To Get Tickets Still need tickets? Schedule a demo now or at VivaTech in person!

Merchant Services 146

Merchant Services Payment Solutions Payment Methods Artificial Intelligence 146

SaaStock

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

Peter Loving is obsessed with product design and innovation. He helps SaaS businesses make product improvements that drive growth. Max’s personal mission is to promote the SaaS business model to Ukrainian and Finish ecosystems. The entire MadKudu team is excited to bring the SaaStock community together in San Francisco.

Scale 50

Scale SaaS Interviewing Product Marketing 50

The Angel VC

AUGUST 26, 2015

It has enabled the creation of new ecosystems (Salesforce.com), new business models (Zenefits), new distribution strategies (Zendesk) and much more. These and other innovations will allow SaaS applications to get even wider adoption and to provide even more value to its customers.

SaaS 173

SaaS Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Construction 173

The Angel VC

MARCH 3, 2015

Of course your team, product, technology, business model and market matter too, but when you’re past the seed stage the expectation is that these factors will have resulted in excellent growth. Growth (a.k.a. traction) is also the most important factor that attracts VCs and drives valuations in private financing rounds.

Compensation 185

Compensation Business Model Startup Benchmarks 185

Tom Tunguz

JULY 9, 2018

First, the shift to a subscription business model reinforces customer centricity. Tien has worked with Madhavan from Simon-Kucher, who wrote an excellent book on pricing called Monetizing Innovation. According to Madhavan, if 70% of your customers are in the entry-level tier, your business will not survive.

SaaS 162

SaaS Subscription Payment Features Mobile 162