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Last updated: Sep 30, 2024

SaaS CTO Network Conference 2024: key takeaways

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PR@ventionteams.com

Last updated: Sep 30, 2024
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We had an incredible time at the SaaS CTO Network Conference 2024 in London! As sponsors, Vention had the privilege of connecting with some of the brightest minds in SaaS — from CTOs to product leaders and operations experts. This event was the perfect platform for exploring the latest trends and tackling the industry's toughest challenges together.

The day started strong with powerful talks and panels on hot topics like scalability, cybersecurity, and AI’s role in reshaping SaaS. Speakers shared not only their growth stories, but also the hard lessons learned, giving us all plenty to reflect on.

In the afternoon, things got interactive. Breakout sessions of 10-15 attendees sparked deep discussions around scaling strategies, process optimization, and more. The openness and depth of these exchanges led to some truly valuable insights.

CTO Network Conference

Here are our top five takeaways:

1. Ship first, scale later

Scalability is important, but it’s easy to overthink it too soon. The advice? Focus on shipping — even if you’re starting with simpler, monolithic solutions. You can go further than you think with basic systems before worrying about scalability.

2. Address bottlenecks early

Leadership bottlenecks can slow you down fast. The sooner you identify and eliminate them, the smoother everything runs.

3. Get the security basics right

Security can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Covering the basics (the 96 percent that matters most) is key. Skipping the fundamentals can lead to way bigger headaches later.

4. Rethink SMS validation 

SMS validation? It’s outdated and risky. Given the vulnerabilities of SMS-based methods, many recommended moving towards more secure authentication alternatives.

5. Remember that AI is tricky to test

AI’s non-deterministic nature makes it tough to test effectively. Standard testing methods often don’t cut it, and this remains an area where everyone is still learning.

 

The conference was a rich source of insights, collaboration, and much-needed industry catch-ups. We left feeling energized and ready to put these takeaways into action at Vention. 

A big thanks to everyone we connected with, and a special shoutout to Jon Topper for organizing such a successful event. We’re already looking forward to next year!