In this SaaS fast-changing world, staying in front of the curve is something paramount. Key to such best practice is following thought leaders and influencers in the shaping of the industry. They provide useful insight and trends, including actionable advice and creative ideas. In this blog, we are going deep into the world of SaaS influencers: who they are, how to find the right ones for your business, and the immense value that can be created through networking and relationships with them.
Who are SaaS Influencers?
SaaS influencers can build a reputation in the SaaS industry as an expert and thought leader. They have deep knowledge of the market, emergent trends, and almost all the time share their insights in their blogs, social media, podcasts, conferences. Such influencers can be CEOs, founders, developers, marketers, or consultants who have given immensely back to the SaaS community.
Their opinions and recommendations are highly considered and exert an influence over decisions to be made by enterprises and individuals.
Finding the Right SaaS Influencers to Follow:
With so many voices in SaaS, finding credible influencers to follow the right steps can be quite difficult. Here are some steps to help you identify the most impactful SaaS influencers:
Identify Your Interests and Goals: Determine what aspects of SaaS are most relevant to you, whether it’s marketing, product development, sales, or customer success.
Leverage Social Media Platforms: For most SaaS influencers, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube are bomb jumping grounds. Use hashtags, follow accounts in the industry, and participate in relevant groups.
Attend Industry Events and Webinars: Conferences, webinars, and virtual events are excellent places to discover influential speakers and panelists.
Read Industry Blogs and Publications: Follow up on leading SaaS blogs and industry publications, with a high volume of contributors appearing periodically in your niche of interest.
Utilize Influencer Lists and Directories: There are more websites and tools available where a number of top SaaS influencers have lists made after them. These can be very good starting points.
15 Top SaaS Influencers to Follow in 2025
Compiled below is the extended list of 15 Top SaaS Influencers consisting of brief descriptions of their contributions and a corresponding LinkedIn profile sorted under their respective authors.
1. Jason Lemkin
- Description: Jason Lemkin, the founder of SaaStr, is one of the most influential voices in scaling SaaS companies. He shares his deep expertise on SaaS growth, fundraising, and venture capital through his blog and SaaStr community, helping SaaS founders and executives navigate complex growth challenges.
- LinkedIn: Jason Lemkin
2. Tomasz Tunguz
- Description: A managing director at Redpoint Ventures, Tomasz Tunguz is known for his insightful analysis on SaaS metrics, venture capital, and fundraising strategies. His blog is a valuable resource for SaaS founders looking to optimize their business models and scale effectively.
- LinkedIn: Tomasz Tunguz
3. Hiten Shah
- Description: Hiten Shah, co-founder of Crazy Egg, KISSmetrics, and FYI, is a seasoned SaaS entrepreneur offering practical advice on product development, marketing strategies, and startup growth. His insights on building successful SaaS products are highly regarded in the industry.
- LinkedIn: Hiten Shah
4. Aaron Levie
- Description: As the CEO and co-founder of Box, Aaron Levie is known for his forward-thinking views on SaaS business models and enterprise software innovation. He regularly shares his insights on leadership, SaaS trends, and technology via social media and industry events.
- LinkedIn: Aaron Levie
5. Christoph Janz
- Description: Christoph Janz is a managing partner at Point Nine Capital, a leading SaaS-focused venture capital firm. He is a highly respected figure in SaaS investing and advises startups on scaling, customer acquisition, and building sustainable business models.
- LinkedIn: Christoph Janz
6. David Skok
- Description: David Skok, a general partner at Matrix Partners, is an expert in SaaS scaling, customer acquisition, and revenue growth. His blog “For Entrepreneurs” is a go-to resource for SaaS founders looking for in-depth analysis on key growth strategies.
- LinkedIn: David Skok
7. Steli Efti
- Description: Steli Efti is the CEO of Close, a sales-focused CRM for startups. Known for his high-energy sales expertise, Steli offers actionable advice on closing SaaS deals, sales strategies, and building effective sales teams.
- LinkedIn: Steli Efti
8. April Dunford
- Description: April Dunford is a positioning expert, helping SaaS companies identify and communicate their unique value propositions. Her expertise in market positioning has helped numerous SaaS businesses stand out in competitive markets.
- LinkedIn: April Dunford
9. Des Traynor
- Description: Des Traynor, co-founder of Intercom, is an expert in product management, customer engagement, and user experience. He shares his deep insights on building customer-centric SaaS products and scaling startups.
- LinkedIn: Des Traynor
10. Gail Goodman
- Description: Gail Goodman, former CEO of Constant Contact, is a veteran in SaaS and email marketing. She now advises numerous startups, sharing her wealth of experience in scaling SaaS businesses and building customer loyalty through effective marketing.
- LinkedIn: Gail Goodman
11. Dharmesh Shah
- Description: Dharmesh Shah is the co-founder and CTO of HubSpot, one of the most successful SaaS companies. A thought leader in inbound marketing, startup culture, and scaling SaaS businesses, Dharmesh frequently shares insights through his blog and social media channels.
- LinkedIn: Dharmesh Shah
12. Patrick Campbell
- Description: Founder of ProfitWell, Patrick Campbell is an expert on SaaS pricing and growth strategies. His data-driven approach helps SaaS companies optimize pricing models, reduce churn, and increase customer lifetime value.
- LinkedIn: Patrick Campbell
13. Brian Halligan
- Description: Brian Halligan, co-founder and executive chairman of HubSpot, is a leader in inbound marketing and scaling SaaS businesses. His expertise on growing SaaS companies and the importance of customer-centric marketing is widely recognized in the industry.
- LinkedIn: Brian Halligan
14. Elad Gil
- Elad Gil is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor to high-growth SaaS companies. He offers strategic advice on scaling startups, managing rapid growth, and innovating in highly competitive markets.
- LinkedIn: Elad Gil
15. Meagen Eisenberg
- Description: Meagen Eisenberg, CMO at TripActions, is a seasoned marketing leader known for driving significant growth in SaaS companies. Her expertise in marketing strategy, demand generation, and scaling go-to-market efforts is invaluable for SaaS businesses looking to expand.
- LinkedIn: Meagen Eisenberg
The Power of Networking in the SaaS Industry
Indeed, networking in SaaS is a significant lever for user growth and the cycle of innovation. You need to network with peers, mentors, and influencers to build long-lasting ties, not only for a different perspective but also to find opportunities. It keeps you abreast of the latest trends and gets you potential collaborators, funding, and partnerships. Engaging in any industry events, online forums, and discussions in social media is a very good way to reach out and increase one’s network.
Building Relationships in SaaS: The Long-Term Strategy
Building meaningful relationships in the SaaS domain blooms in the long run. It’s not about just making connections, but about nurturing them over time. Here are some strategies on how to build good relationships:
Provide Value: Share what you know, help others and be a resource to them.
Stay Consistent: Regularly engage with your network through messages, comments, and meetups.
Be Genuine: There is something about authenticity that can build trust and rapport.
Follow Up: Send a message or email to the people you meet to keep the connection going.
Collaborate: Find opportunities for collaboration on project work, webinars, or material.
Conclusion
Engaging with SaaS influencers on social media and developing a mentor relationship with them will significantly increase your understanding, opportunities, and potential success. These are very insightful influencers who can help you navigate the complexities of a SaaS landscape. Identify the right influencers, reach out to them, tap into their potential, and network your way through to success in SaaS.
