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I started SaaS companies in 2013 and 2021 – how things have changed (blog.airplane.dev)

682 points by zuhayeer · 1828 days ago · 216 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses the changes in the SaaS industry between 2013 and 2021, with the author reflecting on their experience starting SaaS companies in both years. The article is not available, but the comments suggest that the industry has become more saturated, with more companies and easier access to funding. The author mentions that seed rounds are bigger and there are more SaaS companies, making it harder to get initial traction. The comments also touch on the importance of profitability and the willingness of VCs to accept product-led growth.

Main themes

  • SaaS industry trends
  • profitability vs growth
  • market saturation
  • funding and investment
  • consumer preferences
  • B2B vs B2C SaaS
  • passive income and effort required to run a SaaS business

What commenters say

  • Some argue that profitability is no longer a primary concern for SaaS companies, with growth and market dominance taking precedence.
  • Others believe that profitability is still essential, and that companies prioritizing growth over profits are taking a risky approach.
  • The increasing number of SaaS companies and ease of access to funding have led to a saturated market, making it harder for new companies to stand out.
  • There is a debate about whether the average person is becoming wealthier or poorer, and how this affects the SaaS industry.
  • Some commenters argue that the concept of SaaS has become muddled, with the term no longer referring specifically to a billing model, but rather to software solving problems.
  • Others believe that the SaaS model is still viable, but that it requires a clear value proposition, particularly in the B2B space.
  • There is a sentiment that consumers are becoming increasingly hesitant to subscribe to SaaS products, preferring one-time payments or hybrid models.
  • The idea of passive income is often associated with SaaS, but many commenters argue that running a SaaS business is not effortless and requires significant effort and investment.