RS355: Code Velocity and the Future of SaaS

RS355: Code Velocity and the Future of SaaS

Author: Craig Hewitt February 25, 2026 Duration: 58:05
What does it mean to be a SaaS founder in a world where AI can build features faster than we ever could?  In this conversation, Craig sits down with Arvid Kahl to unpack the shifting reality of software, competition, and the craft of SaaS in 2026. They talk about code velocity, discernment, marketing in an AI-saturated world, and why SaaS is not dead, even as the software part becomes commoditized. Listen in to find out what actually matters these days, if you want to build something that lasts. Highlights from Craig and Arvid’s conversation: AI is shifting the founder’s role from building to judging quality and making decisions Code velocity now matters more than perfect architecture for most SaaS products Replacing junior developers entirely with AI risks creating a future talent gap Your real competition increasingly includes general AI tools, not just other SaaS companies AI has leveled the marketing baseline, making differentiation and brand more important than ever Standing out requires taste, point of view, and clear positioning, not just tactics Acquiring legacy SaaS and refactoring with AI could be a major opportunity The service part of SaaS still matters most, because AI generates products but not businesses Resources and Links from This Episode Podscan: https://podscan.fm/  Castos Free Tools: castos.com/tools Email me: podcast@roguestartups.com  Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.  Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: podcast@roguestartups.com 

Behind every new company is a story, and Rogue Startups digs into the real ones-the messy, uncertain, and exhilarating paths founders actually walk. This isn't about polished success tales; it's a candid look at the day-to-day grind of building a business from the ground up. You'll hear directly from entrepreneurs in the thick of it, along with seasoned experts who specialize in the crucial engines of growth: sales, marketing, and product development. Conversations focus on practical tactics, particularly around scaling productized services and SaaS offerings, exploring the real "how" behind their growth hacking strategies. The value of this podcast lies in that shared experience-hearing how others navigate the very obstacles you might be staring down, and learning what moves actually led to a win. It’s for anyone who prefers the unvarnished truth of entrepreneurship over theory, offering a sense of camaraderie and a toolbox of ideas drawn from the front lines. Tune in for authentic dialogue that skips the fluff and gets straight to the challenges and victories of building something new.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Rogue Startups
Podcast Episodes
RS367: How to Hire in the AI Era [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:35
Do you need a team to build a successful company these days? On this episode of Rogue Startups, host Craig Hewitt (Castos) and co-host Colin Gray (Alitu and The Podcast Host) tackle one of the biggest questions facing fo…
RS366: When (and how) To Pick a Co-Founder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
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RS365: Marketing that Actually Works Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:45
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RS364: Think Less, Do More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
AI has made building software dramatically easier. But if everyone can build a product, what happens to SaaS? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig Hewitt is joined by co-host Colin Gray for a wide-ranging conversatio…
RS363: Why Talking to AI About Your Business Is Dangerous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:53
While we weren’t looking, AI has quietly embedded itself into the coaching world. Today Craig sits down with new cohost Colin Gray, founder of Alitu and The Podcast Host, to unpack the current state of the industry. They…
RS362: Hidden Multipliers with Jason Cohen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:43
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RS361: Lessons Learned Selling A Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:24
Selling a business isn't just about timing the market. It's about knowing yourself. In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig Hewitt sits down with Colin Gray, founder of Alitu and The Podcast Host, to discuss what it's r…
RS360: Kill the Hippo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:39
If you're building a SaaS company, one of the hardest questions you'll face isn't how to build a product. It's what to build next. In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig Hewitt talks with Steve McLeod, founder of Featu…
Huge Work (and life) Updates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:53
After an almost 5 month break from the podcast, I'm Back! In this episode I talk through updates with me, Castos, my coaching business, and where the podcast is headed into the future. Spoiler alert...i'm getting a new c…
RS358: Your Design Sucks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:07
In this episode, Craig sits down with Francois Brill, Head of Product at Castos and longtime design collaborator, for an honest and entertaining conversation about what it really takes to build great-looking products in…