S11E8: From Bootstrapping to SaaS Industry Leader with Wade Foster, Co-Founder of Zapier

Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, we’re thrilled to chat with Wade Foster, CEO and Co-Founder of Zapier, the tool that’s revolutionized workflows by making automation accessible to anyone. Zapier helps businesses and individuals connect the apps they rely on, creating seamless integrations that save time and boost productivity. In this episode, Wade takes us through Zapier’s origins, its flagship no-code-needed automation platform, and how the company has carved out a niche as the go-to solution for streamlining business processes. We also dive into fascinating topics like growing a fully remote team before it was trendy, navigating the unique challenges of bootstrapping in a venture-driven world, and the surprising lessons Wade learned while literally counting telephone poles during a college internship. Tune in for insights on building impactful products, a behind-the-scenes look at Zapier's innovative culture, and a glimpse into what it takes to lead one of today’s most versatile SaaS companies. 4:53 - Where did Wade grow up and how did that shape his view of the world? 6:08 - Did Wade always think he was going to become a founder? 7:01 - How did Wade develop an interest in entrepreneurship? 9:58 - Why was Wade’s first internship so impactful? 12:31 - How did Wade meet his cofounders and come up with the idea for Zapier? 14:24 - How was Wade’s experience at YC? 15:38 - What lessons has Wade learned about marketing and sales tactics? 16:53 - What advice does Wade have for founders entering YC to maximize their experience? 22:09 - What were some moments when Wade realized they were onto something with Zapier? 22:42 - What advice would Wade give to founders looking to grow in today's market conditions? 25:36 - What’s a memorable moment from the founding journey of Zapier? 27:08 - How did Zapier scale while maintaining authenticity to its core values? 30:37 - What is Zapier’s core product? 32:07 - How has the business model of Zapier scaled alongside the product? 35:24 - What lessons has Wade learned on pricing and packaging B2B SaaS products? 37:58 - How is Zapier thinking about the future of their business? 39:35 - What is Zapier's view on how AI and automation are coming together? 42:57 - What are some things Zapier customers can look forward to in 2025? 44:02 - What is Wade personally excited about for the near future? 44:19 - Who is a woman in Wade’s life who has had a profound impact on him and his career? For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram  Follow us on TikTok  Check out our guide to podcasting here!  Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music! Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.* *Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. WX Productions