TLDR FoundersMarch 6, 2024

TLDR FOUNDERS 2024-03-06

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01HEADLINES & TRENDS

DEEL CROSSES $500M IN ARR AND ACQUIRES AFRICA’S PAYSPACE

Deel, a $12 billion HR startup, has acquired PaySpace, a payroll and HR company based in Africa, to strengthen its global payroll capabilities and expand its presence in Africa. The acquisition, which is one of Deel's largest to date, comes shortly after Deel purchased Zavvy, a Munich-based AI "people development" startup. Alongside this acquisition, Deel announced it had reached $500 million in ARR, up from $290 million at the end of the previous year.

techcrunch.com2 min read

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AI PERFORMANCE ASYMPTOTES?

So far, the larger the AI model, the better its performance. However, we are now observing a trend where all models, regardless of size, are gradually converging towards the same performance level. This could potentially lead to the commoditization of the infrastructure layer. The question then arises: how can model providers continue to differentiate themselves?

tomtunguz.com2 min read

THE YEAR TO BE GREAT

Hardened by their experiences navigating 2022 and 2023, a16z contends that this is the year for growth-stage companies to excel. They have assessed 77 US-based companies founded after 2000, each with a market cap exceeding $5 billion. By looking at the data, they've highlighted the factors that contribute to greatness and why we might see a shift back towards rapid growth over efficiency.

a16z.com5 min read

02STRATEGIES & TACTICS

10 STEPS TO MASTER ONBOARDING IN PLG

Creating an outstanding first-time user experience is vital for product adoption and user retention. This guide presents 10 key strategies for successful user onboarding. It highlights the significance of comprehending users' needs, quickly directing users to the core value, and tailoring the journey to help users achieve their 'Aha' moment.

plg.news12 min read

A FOUNDER’S GUIDE TO CUSTOMER DISCOVERY

Jeanette Mellinger, BetterUp's Head of User Experience Research (UXR), presents her straightforward three-step playbook for early-stage customer discovery so founders can build something users want. Her recommendations include creating a structured research plan before initiating customer interviews, enhancing questioning skills, and ensuring accurate data analysis.

review.firstround.com23 min read

RISE OF THE FOREVER LEAN STARTUP

Embrace the trend of “forever lean startups” - these businesses strive for growth and efficiency by utilizing AI tools and global talent, automating and outsourcing wherever possible. They maintain minimal fixed costs and no more than 10 employees, staying agile. Could this be the new era of start-ups?

davidcummings.org2 min read

03TOOLS & RESOURCES

SOMA CAPITAL S24 FELLOWSHIP (INCUBATOR)

$100K, 6-week fellowship program with the backing of the Soma Capital ecosystem.

somafellows.com

RESPAID

Collect outstanding invoices with AI.

en.respaid.comTool

T&E POLICY TEMPLATE (TEMPLATE)

Easy travel and expense policy template for start-ups.

docs.google.com

04MISCELLANEOUS

A DEEP DIVE INTO A RULE OF 50 SAAS LEADERS

Here's a growth strategy to learn from: Monday.com's rapid growth in the competitive enterprise software market, driven by an exceptional product, a land-and-expand strategy, and continuous innovation. How can you apply these strategies to create your own $150B niche?

rijnberkinvestinsights.substack.com7 min read

COMMUNITY-PRODUCT FIT

In a world where SaaS products are increasingly alike, cultivating a robust user community and personal "presence" is an effective way to differentiate. Companies such as Figma and Notion, which prioritized building engaged communities early on, have reaped significant benefits including easier onboarding, valuable product feedback, and loyal customers. The most successful software companies in the future will be those that place community at the core of their operations.

akashbajwa.substack.com4 min read

HOW TO STOP SAYING YES TO EVERYTHING (5 MINUTE VIDEO)

Claire Hughes Johnson, who currently serves as a corporate officer and advisor for Stripe, shares a straightforward tactic for handling requests. Regardless of whether it's a simple task or a request to speak on a panel, her method helps prevent you from impulsively saying “yes” and robbing yourself of your time.

youtube.com

05QUICK LINKS

WHEN STANDALONE AI APPS MEET EXISTING SYSTEMS OF RECORD

Most new AI products must adapt to work with existing systems. Those who excel in this area may secure a competitive edge.

chudson.substack.com2 min read

WHAT'S REALLY BEHIND GOOGLE'S DEAL WITH REDDIT

Founders should take note: even Google, the search giant, recognizes the need for authentic, human-generated content in a world saturated with AI. Its $60 million deal with Reddit leverages user signals such as upvotes to bring forward trustworthy information that people desire.

growth-memo.com2 min read

READ)

Avoid undervaluing your product and consider redefining its category and context to justify price increases as it improves and becomes more valuable over time.

saastr.com