Integrator - parasite thesis

The comparison between companies that are built on top of behemoth platforms and those that become multi-billion dollar companies through integration reveals that integrators, particularly in the development tools sector, add value symbiotically. The integrator acts like a parasite but not unidirectionally, as it also contributes value. These integrators compete with the host platform by providing such valuable products that the risk of being shut off by the partner is low, and the partner cannot catch up due to the product's immense depth. While facing challenges like poor APIs and billing issues, the realization dawns that the company should not venture into building its billing infrastructure. Instead, the focus shifts to becoming a multi-product for the growth of subscription businesses, understanding the difficulty of selling such diverse offerings in the public markets. The decision-making around staying private, going public, or being acquired is influenced by the strategic vision and understanding the overall category strategy, which might have been overlooked at the company's inception but becomes crucial while considering fundraising and future growth.