The SaaS Revolution Show From NASA to nine-figure ARR: Adam Markowitz on building Drata, trust and timing in SaaS
Nov 13, 2025
Adam Markowitz, Co-founder and CEO of Drata and former aerospace engineer at NASA, shares his remarkable journey from the Space Shuttle program to the SaaS landscape. He discusses how his experiences shaped his founder mindset and led to Drata’s rapid success, hitting $100M ARR in just four years. Adam reveals the importance of product-market fit, strategic timing, and a partner-led go-to-market strategy. He also explores how AI is transforming compliance expectations and shaping the future of Drata as they expand their offerings globally.
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From NASA To Portfolium
- Adam moved from NASA aerospace work to founding Portfolium, a LinkedIn-like e-portfolio for students, to prove skills with evidence.
- Portfolium taught him selling into universities and exposed the security/compliance problem that later became Drata.
Built From A Founder Pain
- Drata began by solving the founders' own compliance pain after Portfolium couldn't prove its security posture when asked.
- They built tools in-house, validated demand with dozens of customer conversations, then launched with evolved product-market fit.
Flywheel Of Fit, Timing And Execution
- Adam credits a flywheel of problem empathy, unique positioning, and execution for rapid growth to nine-figure ARR.
- He says timing (market window) plus strategy and execution are all required to capitalize on product-market fit.