The SaaS Podcast - SaaS, Startups, Growth Hacking & Entrepreneurship

448: Sigma: The Gutsy Rebuild That Took This SaaS from Zero to $100M - with Rob Woollen

16 snips
Jul 3, 2025
In this discussion, Rob Woollen, Co-founder and CTO of Sigma Computing, shares insights on building a data analytics platform that now boasts over $100 million in ARR. He emphasizes the importance of user feedback and strategic partnerships, particularly with Snowflake, in navigating their growth. Rob reveals the emotional rollercoaster of transforming a struggling startup into a thriving business, balancing intuition with data-driven decisions. His journey offers valuable lessons on resilience, passion, and the significance of fostering strong customer relationships.
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ANECDOTE

Failed First Product and Team Loss

  • Sigma's initial AI product for suggesting data insights was a big failure despite polite feedback.
  • Two founding engineers quit, and the team stayed small while iterating product ideas for years.
ADVICE

Irrational Perseverance Needed

  • Founders must be irrationally passionate to persevere against skeptical odds.
  • Having co-founders who take turns staying motivated helps sustain through tough times.
ANECDOTE

From Breakthrough to Zero Sales

  • After winning an award, Sigma's sales hit zero the next quarter despite initial excitement.
  • This shocked the team and reminded them that product-market fit recognition can be elusive and nonlinear.
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