The SaaS Podcast - SaaS, Startups, Growth Hacking & Entrepreneurship 442: Prodoscore: Creating a New SaaS Category No One Asked For - with Sam Naficy
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May 8, 2025 Sam Naficy, CEO of Prodoscore, delves into his journey of creating a unique SaaS platform that uses AI to enhance workplace efficiency. He addresses the challenges of changing perceptions about productivity tools, evolving the ideal customer profile for success, and the impact of COVID-19 on employee engagement. Naficy shares insights on building resilience in business and the importance of innovation while balancing humorous anecdotes about parenting in the tech world. His story highlights the intersection of technology and personal growth.
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Early Startup Hustle and Success
- Sam Naficy started DTT, a SaaS company for restaurant analytics using digital video and third-party data.
- It grew to $55 million ARR before exit, mixing immigrant hustle with tech innovation in franchising.
Challenges in New Category Creation
- Creating new software categories requires extensive market education and overcoming inherent stigmas.
- ProtoScore faced challenges separating itself from surveillance tools and emphasizing employee empowerment.
Winning Employee Trust Over Surveillance Fears
- Early employee pushback was strong, fearing surveillance, but the product's benefit to employees won trust.
- Showing employees their own productivity data turned skeptics into supporters who embraced empowerment.