Four Kinds of SaaS in the AI Era

Mapping SaaS Valuations by Coordination Complexity & AI Revenue Exposure
AI AS CORE REVENUE DRIVER →
AI-Native Infrastructure
Provides infrastructure for data-intensive and AI workloads.
Avg −1%
DDOG−8%
SNOW−7%
MDB+19%
CFLT−6%
TWLO−4%
Platform Transformers
Large installed bases with AI becoming a larger part of the product.
Avg −44%
CRM−42%
NOW−46%
WDAY−47%
INTU−34%
HUBS−69%
ADBE−43%
TEAM−75%
ZM+8%
Domain Defenders
Vertical expertise, security, and compliance create durable switching costs.
Avg −20%
CRWD−11%
PANW−25%
ZS−23%
VEEV−21%
OKTA−22%
In Transition
Coordinates work while adapting its product and business model to AI.
Avg −52%
ASAN−67%
MNDY−76%
DOCU−48%
BILL−18%
COORDINATION COMPLEXITY →
AI-Native Infra
Platform Transformers
Domain Defenders
In Transition

Demand

Self-built software fell from 30% to 15% of total software spending over 30 years. Bank of France research finds demand for computer hardware and software to be price-elastic.

Supply

AI coding tools automate more implementation work. Small teams can attempt products that previously required much larger teams.