Self-funded to support a team of 15 for 4 years: The long-term journey of an independent developer

🚀 Self-Funded a 15-Person Team for 4 Years: A Long-Termism Journey of an Independent Developer#

Hello everyone, I am Bao Fu (wx).

While most entrepreneurs are obsessed with "rapid iteration" and "fundraising games," Damjan Dano chose a completely different path—self-funding a 15-person team and spending 4 years refining an enterprise operating system. How did he maintain a monthly operating expense of $20,000 with only $500 in MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue)? This crazy story hides the rare long-termism code of independent developers.

🏗️ Making Money from a Young Age, Eventually Diving into SaaS#

Damjan made his first money in 7th grade by selling information arbitrage commissions, then used that money to buy books and learn about the internet. By 8th grade, he was creating websites for local businesses using Dreamweaver, earning his "first pot of gold"—$100.

In the nearly 20 years that followed, he operated multiple profitable service businesses in the information and communications technology industry and even established a company that paid him considerable dividends annually. However, he was not satisfied.

In 2018, while building a cryptocurrency exchange for a Wall Street investment bank, he suddenly realized he was trapped in a "find clients—discuss needs—develop—deliver" deadlock. He decided to change and create a product that could truly scale.

This is the starting point of Aqtos.

⚙️ Aqtos: A "Boss-Level" Enterprise Operating System#

Aqtos is not an ordinary SaaS; it is a "Business Operating System as a Service" (BOSS).

This software integrates multiple functions such as task management, HR, chat, scheduling, financial management, and sales pipeline, aiming to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to operate efficiently.

Damjan's philosophy is: "This is not just a tool, but a system that deeply integrates business wisdom."

🏦 Refusing Funding, Insisting on Self-Funding#

The development speed of Aqtos is not fast. It started in 2018 and will only begin to gradually open for public testing in 2024. Damjan refused VC funding and insisted on self-funding to ensure the product's independence.

His view is: "We don't need to rush for results; we need to create truly valuable products."

Of course, this choice comes at a significant cost.

Current Revenue of Aqtos: Only $500 MRR
Team Expenses: Up to $20,000 per month
Founder Salary: $0
Personal Savings: Rapidly depleting

His persistence is undergoing the ultimate test from the market.

🌱 Early Users + Upcoming Public Testing#

Currently, Aqtos has accumulated over 200 early applicants. Damjan plans to gradually open access and launch the official release as soon as possible to drive revenue growth.

🔥 Damjan's Advice for Independent Developers#

Be Prepared for a Long Battle: Entrepreneurship is a long-term battle, especially for SaaS products. Don't expect to succeed in the short term; patiently refine your product.
Product Quality is More Important than Speed: The market is flooded with calls for "quick launches," but Damjan believes that only truly valuable products can win users.
Financial Management is Crucial: Self-funding means greater financial pressure; ensure you have enough funds to support the product until it becomes truly profitable.
Refuse to Be Swept Away by Trends: Ignore the noise of "get rich quick" or "MRR boasting," and focus on building the product you truly believe in.
Go All In or Don't Do It: If you really want to succeed, you must fully commit, leaving no room for retreat.

Can Aqtos break through in the fiercely competitive SaaS market?

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Hello everyone, I am Bao Fu.