E310 | Adapting as a Founder During Growth with Renan de Villiers

Summary

Renan de Villiers, CEO and co-founder of OSS Ventures, discusses his niche in B2B SaaS for manufacturing. He explains that manufacturing accounts for 25% of the world GDP and highlights the importance of software in factories. Renan shares his experience as a former factory director and how it led him to start a venture builder and investment firm focused on SaaS B2B for manufacturing. He emphasises the challenges of scaling executive talent in mature companies and the need for better incentive packages in the VC world. Renan also discusses the state of the economy, de-globalisation, and the future of manufacturing. The conversation explores the importance of hardware in tech companies, the challenges of scaling businesses, and the myths and realities of venture capital. It also delves into the personal journey of the guest and his sources of inspiration.

takeaways

• Manufacturing accounts for 25% of the world GDP, making it a significant niche for B2B SaaS.
• Scaling executive talent is a challenge in mature companies, and better incentive packages are needed in the VC world.
• The US is decoupling from China, and there is a trend of reshoring and nearshoring in manufacturing.
• Energy and chip production are becoming increasingly important in the manufacturing industry. Hardware will play a significant role in the success of tech companies in the future.
• Scaling a business involves two major breaking points: transitioning from founder-led chaos to a more structured approach and managing the challenges of communication and processes as the company grows.
• Founders need to be willing to adapt and change as their company scales, and sometimes, that means letting go of the chaotic energy that fuelled the early stages.
• Ideas do matter in business, but they are nothing without execution.
• Success in life is measured by the impact you have on others.
• Recommended books: 'No Rules Rules' by Reed Hastings and 'Hunger, Famine, and Wealth' by London philosopher.
• Recommended podcast: 'Revenue Builder' for insights on revenue generation in B2B SaaS.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Niche in B2B SaaS for Manufacturing

(02:11) Scaling Executive Talent in Mature Companies

(06:21) Challenges in Incentive Packages for VC-backed Companies

(13:22) The Decoupling of the US from China

(24:07) The Importance of Energy and Chip Production in Manufacturing

(25:55) The Role of Hardware in Tech Companies

(30:25) Scaling Challenges and Breaking Points

(32:17) Adapting as a Founder During Growth

(39:37) The Importance of Ideas and Execution

(45:22) Measuring Success in Life

(49:08) Timeless Inspiration from 'Meditations'

(49:53) Debunking the Myth: Ideas Do Matter

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Mind Your F**king Business