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Revenue is on track for $20M in 2018 [1]. While $1.1B could be considered high by some, it's a done deal now, Airtable is a real business pulling real revenue,

Revenue is on track for $20M in 2018 [1]. While $1.1B could be considered high by some, it's a done deal now, Airtable is a real business pulling real revenue, and their continued execution and direction will determine the rest. :) [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2018/11/15/move-slow-and-make-things-airtables-howie-liu-built-a-1b-software-giant-emphasizing-substance-over-speed/#78a83b9d1f20 https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2018/11/15/move-s...

zaroth 8y ago
For a SaaS founder with 20% growth, $1MM ARR and 95% gross margin, hoping to even get within spitting distance of a 2x multiple, that 50x is one hell of a thing. Now exit and raise are very different valuations, but 50x...
- trhway 8y ago
  Not to offend. Just compare the AT growth. In SV the growth is what valued, with revenue and profit being the distant 2nd and 42nd.
  - zaroth 8y ago
    Zero offense taken. The VCs know what they are doing. Growth is absolutely king because it’s where you are going not where you are. Profits would be like dividends - literally counting against you for not knowing what better to do with the money and instead giving 20%+ away to taxes. Consistent (aka stagnant) profit is like running a zombie startup. Very difficult to exit that.
    - chiefalchemist 8y ago
      > "Consistent (aka stagnant) profit is like running a zombie startup. Very difficult to exit that." I think you might have inadvertently adjusted - in a good way - the valuation lens. That is, it's not about valuation per se in the more traditional sense but valuation relative to exit / the ability to exit. That is to the VCs, that's ultimately the goal / figure that matters. And their POV takes form of the public (to so speak) valuation. Put another way, it's not about the (broader) market per se, it's about the VC market. That is, now $1.1B kinda makes sense.

zaroth 8y ago

For a SaaS founder with 20% growth, $1MM ARR and 95% gross margin, hoping to even get within spitting distance of a 2x multiple, that 50x is one hell of a thing. Now exit and raise are very different valuations, but 50x...

trhway 8y ago
Not to offend. Just compare the AT growth. In SV the growth is what valued, with revenue and profit being the distant 2nd and 42nd.
- zaroth 8y ago
  Zero offense taken. The VCs know what they are doing. Growth is absolutely king because it’s where you are going not where you are. Profits would be like dividends - literally counting against you for not knowing what better to do with the money and instead giving 20%+ away to taxes. Consistent (aka stagnant) profit is like running a zombie startup. Very difficult to exit that.
  - chiefalchemist 8y ago
    > "Consistent (aka stagnant) profit is like running a zombie startup. Very difficult to exit that." I think you might have inadvertently adjusted - in a good way - the valuation lens. That is, it's not about valuation per se in the more traditional sense but valuation relative to exit / the ability to exit. That is to the VCs, that's ultimately the goal / figure that matters. And their POV takes form of the public (to so speak) valuation. Put another way, it's not about the (broader) market per se, it's about the VC market. That is, now $1.1B kinda makes sense.