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Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Nicolas Hourcard, CEO & Founder of QuestDB, an open-source time series database that has raised $15 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Nicolas' decision to make QuestDB open-source was instrumental in its early development and user adoption. For tech founders, embracing open-source can not only drive product improvement through community contributions but also build a loyal user base that can transition into paying customers.
QuestDB’s marketing strategy, focused on authentic and deeply technical content, effectively engaged its target developer audience. Founders should consider leveraging their own technical expertise or that of their team to create content that resonates with and educates their user base.
The early rejections from venture capitalists didn't deter Nicolas; instead, they highlighted the importance of proving the product’s market fit and potential. Founders should view rejections not as setbacks but as opportunities to refine their pitch and product strategy.
Nicolas’ approach to delay monetization until after Series A funding underscores the value of focusing on product excellence and community building first. Founders in the open-source space, in particular, may find this phased approach to monetization beneficial for long-term success.
The importance of choosing investors who understand and support your vision cannot be overstated. Nicolas emphasizes selecting investors who are aligned with your startup’s goals and can provide not just capital but valuable guidance and support.