Rediscovering the Essential Profit from Data-Driven Enterprises
Revamped Article:
Hey there! Mohan Kumar, a whizz in Hyper-Scalable Temporal Data, sparks creativity at AtoB; previously dazzling the gang at LinkedIn, Zenefits, and D.E. Shaw.
To put it simply, over a quarter of startups formed in 2024 took a bite out of the AI cherry. Correction: a juicy AI cherry, with big corporations squarely focusing on machine learning. A decade ago, we were gaga over crypto, and here we are...with an even larger AI frenzy on our hands.
It's cool to see technology like AI take over the tech arena, but for those keen on starting innovative companies, it might be wiser to veer off the mainstream path and dive into the overlooked realm of CRUD (create, update, read, and delete) companies – an area that's become eerily quiet in the midst of the AI storm. Let's check out this dusty trail, untapped and ripe for seizing.
So, What CRUD Is?
CRUD operations are the bedrock of software development. You know, those functions that let you handle data in most software systems? Getting real popular in businesses, no kidding. Picture a baby company groping its way through life, and it might start off with CRUD at its total core. You get the picture.
Take Airbnb, for instance – the initial MVP (you remember that buzzword, right? Minimum Viable Product) was good old CRUD. Hosts could list their digs, travelers could read those listings, bookings would update availability, travelers could cancel or delete bookings, and hosts could delete or update listings. Simple as pie.
As Airbnb grew into a genuine powerhouse, they added whiz-bang features like AI-driven suggestions, multi-currency support, and other fancy schmancy stuff. But, hey, doesn't change the fact that Airbnb started life as a no-frills CRUD system. It's the same for most successful companies: the initial versions – often the seeds of their success – tend to revolve around CRUD at the heart.
Perks Of Starting A CRUD Company
Starting up a CRUD company comes with a string of perks:
1. Keeping It Simple: Building a CRUD app ain't rocket science, so a prototype or MVP can be churned out quicker than a Whopper from Burger King.
2. A Plentiful Lobby Of Talent: Full-stack devs, the cat's pajamas when it comes to cobbling together CRUD applications, are thick on the ground compared to those elusive AI experts.
3. Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons: Frameworks such as Django and Ruby on Rails gobble up development time and make the whole shebang more accessible, often with zero hardware costs.
In a nutshell, CRUD-based businesses scream accessibility, especially for inexperienced entrepreneurs or dynamic duos looking to break into the market without deep pockets.
The Perfect Opportunity
Traditionally, CRUD companies reigned supreme in the market, both in terms of market capitalization and sheer number. But with the AI and crypto booms drawing attention like a whirlwind, CRUD businesses have suddenly become the black sheep of the tech world. That's music to the ears of the pioneers who other people would call squares and squares would call introverts.
A smaller crowd equals less competition, and hey, who doesn't like a shorter runway to cash that first paycheck? Unlike AI-driven businesses that demand specialized know-how and hefty hardware, CRUD companies can make a stand with minimal startup capital.
The market is fertile for dreamers who dare to identify practical solutions and bring them to life through CRUD-based apps.
A Swanky New Look On CRUD
A widespread misconception is that a CRUD-based company is limited by its humble beginnings. But, as explained earlier, a CRUD company is a living, breathing organism – not a static painting. The whole idea is to lay a solid foundation for growth and transformation.
Succesful CRUD firms often expand to embrace advanced features, including AI/ML enhancements or third-party partnerships. The difference? CRUD-based businesses wring profits and build user bases before breaking the bank on these add-ons, giving them time to perfect their products and muscle up for the long haul.
While some are enamored with AI trends, CRUD-based companies might just be the unsung heroes of the startup world. These arenas allow entrepreneurs to launch products quickly, satisfy market demands, and generate sustainable revenue – minus the intense competition and hardware expenses of AI ventures.
The Catch With CRUD As Data Scales
Although the barrier to entry in a CRUD-based system is low, scalability – in terms of both data and business growth – can't be taken lightly. As Airbnb demonstrates, companies centered around CRUD must eventually level up and bring on advanced features to stay competitive in a fast-changing market.
As a company grows, so does its data and its relationships. When one considers the traceability and compliance of CRUD data, enforcing temporal properties becomes crucial, allowing companies to track historical changes, reconstruct past states, and maintain regulatory records. But, as companies scale, simple temporal tracking may no longer suffice.
Many CRUD-based systems organically evolve to require bitemporal data management, where both the valid time (when the data was relevant in the real world) and the transaction time (when the data was recorded in the system) must be kept tabs on. If a proper bitemporal foundation isn't in place, businesses risk data inconsistencies, regulatory woes, and hassles performing retrospective analysis. Developing a robust bitemporal architecture enables organizations to manage complex data lifecycles, supply accurate historical insights, and future-proof systems for changing business requirements.
Companies that ignore temporal and bitemporal data challenges early on often stumble during the growth process, making it more challenging to introduce essential features, ensure data integrity, and support long-term growth.
Summing Up: The Road The Rustic
We've been sold the idea that AI-driven companies are the way of the future. Sure, they're cool, but CRUD-based companies represent an opportunity to explore a less-traveled yet time-tested domain. These businesses offer a functional starting point for entrepreneurs who want to create something terrific without breaking the bank.
Starting up a CRUD company doesn't mean a lack of ambition. Instead, it's about laying a strong foundation, growing steadily, and taking chances when they come along. By opting for the road less traveled, you might just come across the next big thing hiding in plain sight.
#Forbes Technology Council, an exclusive community for the world's leading CIOs, CTOs, and technology mavericks – you in?
- Mohan Kumar, who was once a prominent figure at LinkedIn, could potentially bring his innovation skills to a CRUD startup, leveraging the simplicity and accessibility of these types of businesses.
- Startups focusing on CRUD operations, like the underestimated yet successful Airbnb, offer a fertile ground for entrepreneurs who are passionate about offering practical solutions and building sustainable revenue streams, just like Mohan Kumar.
- In the midst of the AI and crypto boom, there's a valuable opportunity for those who are keen on innovation, like Mohan Kumar, to seize the relatively untapped market of CRUD startups and create the next big thing in the tech arena.
