This Week in Startups Zapier Co-Founder Mike Knoop on category creation, API evolution & AI architecture | E1769
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Jun 27, 2023 
Mike Knoop, co-founder and president of Zapier, shares insights from the tool's early days aimed at streamlining app interactions. He discusses the transformative impact of APIs on user experience and reveals Zapier’s innovative business model. Knoop dives into the challenges of integrating AI into workflows, highlighting practical applications and potential safety concerns. He also addresses recent API evolution and its implications for startups, emphasizing collaboration and efficiency in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
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Zapier's Unexpected Success
- Zapier's co-founders initially viewed the platform as "boring B2B software".
- Their perspective shifted after witnessing users' enthusiastic reactions at conferences.
Business Model Innovation
- Zapier's key innovation lies in its business model, not just its technology.
- It democratized integrations, making them affordable and accessible to small businesses.
Profit Sharing over Equity
- Early Zapier employees preferred profit sharing over equity due to skepticism about startups.
- Zapier offered a secondary equity program when the company became a stable, successful business.