Saas Founders
Bubble
Professional
SaaS Founders are entrepreneurs who build and lead software-as-a-service companies, forming a tightly connected community known for its...Show more
Saas Founders
Bubble
Professional
SaaS Founders are entrepreneurs who build and lead software-as-a-service companies, forming a tightly connected community known for its distinct culture, metrics, and growth playbooks.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
75K
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
Discover Related Bubbles
General Q&A
This bubble centers on entrepreneurs who create, grow, and manage software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, prioritizing recurring revenue models and scalable digital solutions.
Community Q&A
This bubble centers on entrepreneurs who create, grow, and manage software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, prioritizing recurring revenue models and scalable digital solutions.
People connect through exclusive Slack groups, industry conferences like SaaStr Annual, specialized podcasts, and 'build in public' channels on Twitter or newsletters.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Growth Jargon
Insider PerspectiveSaaS founders communicate using precise growth metrics like MRR, CAC, and LTV, creating an exclusive language that instantly signals insider status and filters outsiders.
Transparency Rituals
Social NormsPublicly sharing revenue dashboards and 'build in public' updates is a social norm that fosters trust and accountability, strengthening bonds within the SaaS founder community.
Data Trade
Communication PatternsInsiders actively exchange detailed growth experiments and fundraising insights in niche channels, fueling rapid knowledge diffusion and status elevation through demonstrated results.
Investor Symbiosis
Hidden InfluencesRelationships with SaaS-savvy investors shape community dynamics; founders’ reputations often hinge on navigating these networks and signaling growth potential via shared KPIs.
Sub Groups
Early-Stage SaaS Founders
Focused on founders in the ideation, MVP, and initial growth phases.
Growth-Stage SaaS Founders
Founders scaling their SaaS businesses, often discussing metrics, funding, and expansion.
Bootstrapped SaaS Founders
Entrepreneurs building SaaS companies without external funding, sharing unique challenges and strategies.
Venture-Backed SaaS Founders
Founders who have raised capital and are navigating investor relations and rapid scaling.
Vertical SaaS Founders
Communities centered around SaaS solutions for specific industries (e.g., healthcare, finance, education).
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 3
LinkedIn
30%LinkedIn is the primary professional networking platform where SaaS founders connect, share insights, and build business relationships.
Conferences & Trade Shows
20%Industry conferences and trade shows are essential for SaaS founders to network, learn, and showcase their companies.
Professional Settingsoffline
Slack
15%Slack hosts numerous invite-only and open communities specifically for SaaS founders to discuss challenges, share resources, and collaborate.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
Discover Similar Bubbles
Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Greeting Salutations
Example Conversation
Insider
Keep that MRR climbing!
Outsider
Huh? What do you mean by that?
Insider
MRR means Monthly Recurring Revenue – we use it to wish each other ongoing growth success.
Outsider
Oh, got it. So it's like a good luck phrase among SaaS founders?
Insider
Exactly! And 'Churn be damned!' replies that we'll beat customer loss and keep growing.
Cultural Context
This asymmetric greeting reflects their shared focus on critical business metrics and morale encouragement.
Inside Jokes
"Our CAC is so low, it's basically an asset"
This joke plays on how reducing CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) is a holy grail, implying it’s almost a valuable asset itself when extremely low.
"You had me at ARR > $1M"
A humorous twist on romantic expressions, highlighting how SaaS founders often measure business viability and attractiveness by reaching $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue.
Facts & Sayings
„MRR is king“
This phrase underscores the central importance of Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) as the key metric for SaaS founders to measure business health and growth predictability.
„Churn is the silent killer“
A warning about customer churn (rate of customer loss) which can quietly erode revenue and growth if not managed carefully.
„Build in public“
A popular practice where founders openly share product development progress, metrics, and learnings on platforms like Twitter to build transparency and community trust.
„PLG or die“
An affirmation of the Product-Led Growth (PLG) strategy, emphasizing that scalable SaaS companies increasingly rely on self-service product adoption rather than traditional sales-led methods.
„CAC payback period matters“
A reminder that Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) relative to how quickly it's recovered through revenue is a critical measure for SaaS sustainability and efficiency.
Unwritten Rules
Always share MRR numbers carefully
Because MRR signals business health, oversharing or inflating metrics can damage trust in the community.
Respect founders who 'build in public'
Open sharing is valued, so dismissing or criticizing public transparency is socially frowned upon.
Avoid posting about 'vanity metrics'
Metrics that look good but don't impact sustainability (like raw downloads without paying customers) are often mocked or ignored.
Be data-driven but human
While metrics matter, founders expect empathetic storytelling and context, valuing authenticity alongside numbers.
Fictional Portraits
1 / 3
Aisha, 32
FounderfemaleAisha is a tech entrepreneur from Nairobi who recently launched her first SaaS platform aimed at educational institutions in Africa.
InnovationResilienceCommunity support
Motivations
- Building scalable products that solve real problems
- Networking with experienced founders to accelerate growth
- Learning effective customer acquisition strategies
Challenges
- Balancing product development with fundraising efforts
- Navigating international markets with limited local resources
- Finding reliable technical talent
Platforms
LinkedIn groupsFounder Slack channelsLocal startup meetups
MRRCACARRGrowth hackingChurn rate
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
1 / 3
People
1 / 3
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 2-4 weeks
1
Study SaaS Business Models
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Learn core SaaS concepts, revenue models, and key metrics to understand the landscape.
Details: Begin by immersing yourself in the foundational knowledge of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) business models. This means understanding how SaaS companies generate revenue (subscriptions, freemium, usage-based), the importance of recurring revenue, and the key metrics that drive decision-making (MRR, ARR, churn, CAC, LTV, etc.). Many newcomers struggle with jargon and the unique economics of SaaS, so take time to clarify these concepts. Use reputable blogs, industry reports, and explainer videos. Take notes and try to explain concepts back to yourself or a peer. This step is crucial because the SaaS bubble is metrics-driven; without this baseline, you’ll struggle to follow conversations or contribute meaningfully. Assess your progress by being able to define and calculate basic SaaS metrics and explain why they matter.
2
Join SaaS Founder Communities
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register and introduce yourself in online SaaS founder forums or groups to observe and participate.
Details: Find and join online communities where SaaS founders gather—these might be dedicated forums, Slack groups, or social media spaces. Lurk initially to observe the tone, common topics, and etiquette. When ready, introduce yourself with a concise background and genuine curiosity. Avoid self-promotion or generic questions; instead, share what you’re hoping to learn or build. Many beginners hesitate to engage, fearing they lack credibility, but most communities welcome thoughtful newcomers. This step is vital for networking, learning from real experiences, and understanding the culture. Progress is measured by your comfort in participating, receiving responses, and recognizing recurring themes in discussions.
3
Analyze Real SaaS Products
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Pick 2-3 SaaS products, research their features, pricing, and customer base to see theory in practice.
Details: Select a few well-known SaaS products (ideally in different industries or at different stages) and analyze them. Review their websites, pricing pages, customer testimonials, and public case studies. Try free trials if available. Note how they position themselves, what features they highlight, and how their pricing aligns with their target market. Beginners often overlook the importance of understanding how theory translates into real-world offerings. This exercise helps you internalize business model concepts and see how successful SaaS companies structure their offerings. Evaluate your progress by being able to articulate the value proposition, pricing logic, and customer profile for each product you study.
1
Study SaaS Business Models
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Learn core SaaS concepts, revenue models, and key metrics to understand the landscape.
Details: Begin by immersing yourself in the foundational knowledge of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) business models. This means understanding how SaaS companies generate revenue (subscriptions, freemium, usage-based), the importance of recurring revenue, and the key metrics that drive decision-making (MRR, ARR, churn, CAC, LTV, etc.). Many newcomers struggle with jargon and the unique economics of SaaS, so take time to clarify these concepts. Use reputable blogs, industry reports, and explainer videos. Take notes and try to explain concepts back to yourself or a peer. This step is crucial because the SaaS bubble is metrics-driven; without this baseline, you’ll struggle to follow conversations or contribute meaningfully. Assess your progress by being able to define and calculate basic SaaS metrics and explain why they matter.
2
Join SaaS Founder Communities
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register and introduce yourself in online SaaS founder forums or groups to observe and participate.
Details: Find and join online communities where SaaS founders gather—these might be dedicated forums, Slack groups, or social media spaces. Lurk initially to observe the tone, common topics, and etiquette. When ready, introduce yourself with a concise background and genuine curiosity. Avoid self-promotion or generic questions; instead, share what you’re hoping to learn or build. Many beginners hesitate to engage, fearing they lack credibility, but most communities welcome thoughtful newcomers. This step is vital for networking, learning from real experiences, and understanding the culture. Progress is measured by your comfort in participating, receiving responses, and recognizing recurring themes in discussions.
3
Analyze Real SaaS Products
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Pick 2-3 SaaS products, research their features, pricing, and customer base to see theory in practice.
Details: Select a few well-known SaaS products (ideally in different industries or at different stages) and analyze them. Review their websites, pricing pages, customer testimonials, and public case studies. Try free trials if available. Note how they position themselves, what features they highlight, and how their pricing aligns with their target market. Beginners often overlook the importance of understanding how theory translates into real-world offerings. This exercise helps you internalize business model concepts and see how successful SaaS companies structure their offerings. Evaluate your progress by being able to articulate the value proposition, pricing logic, and customer profile for each product you study.
4
Attend a SaaS Webinar or Meetup
1-2 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Participate in a live SaaS-focused event to hear founders discuss challenges and strategies firsthand.
Details: Look for upcoming webinars, virtual meetups, or local events focused on SaaS entrepreneurship. Register and attend with the goal of listening to founder stories, current challenges, and tactical advice. Prepare a few questions in advance, but prioritize listening and note-taking. Engaging in live events exposes you to the current pulse of the community and helps you understand what topics are top-of-mind. Many beginners feel intimidated, but remember that these events are designed for learning and networking. Progress is measured by your ability to summarize key takeaways and, if possible, connect with at least one attendee or speaker afterward.
5
Draft a Simple SaaS Idea
2-3 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Outline a basic SaaS product concept, including target user, problem, and solution, to practice ideation.
Details: Using your newfound understanding, brainstorm and draft a simple SaaS product idea. Identify a specific problem, define your target user, and sketch out a solution—don’t worry about technical details yet. Write a one-page summary covering the problem, solution, potential features, and how you might charge for it. Many beginners get stuck trying to perfect their idea or overcomplicate it; focus on clarity and simplicity. This exercise is essential for moving from theory to practice and prepares you for feedback from the community. Progress is measured by your ability to clearly communicate your idea and receive constructive input from others.
Welcoming Practices
„Open Startup transparency“
Newcomers are encouraged to share key metrics openly as a sign of trust and serious intent, fostering collaborative support.
Beginner Mistakes
Over-focusing on feature build instead of customer retention
Balance development with understanding churn and lifetime value to sustain long-term growth.
Ignoring unit economics like CAC payback
Track how quickly acquisition costs are recouped to ensure scalable business models.
Facts
Regional Differences
North America
North American SaaS founders typically emphasize venture capital fundraising and rapid scale, with many headquartered in Silicon Valley and Boston ecosystems.
Europe
European SaaS founders often focus more on cross-border regulatory compliance and privacy, navigating GDPR impacts alongside growth.
Asia
Asian SaaS founders frequently prioritize mobile-first features and local market adaptations due to distinct user behavior and infrastructure differences.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
SaaS founders are just general tech entrepreneurs.
Reality
While overlapping, SaaS founders uniquely face recurring revenue dynamics, customer retention pressures, and platform architecture challenges distinct from other tech fields.
Misconception #2
SaaS success is mostly about great technology.
Reality
Business model, unit economics like CAC and LTV, and customer experience often matter more than just the technology itself in SaaS business survival and scaling.
Misconception #3
SaaS companies do not need sales teams due to PLG.
Reality
Even Product-Led Growth companies often have nuanced sales strategies, especially in higher enterprise segments requiring human-led engagement.
Clothing & Styles
Conference swag hoodie
Wearing hoodies emblazoned with logos from SaaS-focused events like SaaStr Annual signals active participation and insider status within the SaaS founder community.
Branded startup t-shirts
T-shirts featuring a company's logo or popular SaaS buzzwords subtly show affiliation and foster recognition among peers at meetups and online events.
