The #1 Event for SaaS and Business Software: SaaStr Annual (2025)

Per OpenAI:

The #1 event in SaaS is widely considered to be SaaStr Annual.

Why SaaStr Annual?

• It’s the largest community-driven SaaS event, bringing together 12,500+ founders, executives, and VCs.
• Features 300+ speakers from top SaaS companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Snowflake.
• Offers workshops, networking, and investor matchmaking for startups and enterprises.
• Held annually in the San Francisco Bay Area (usually in September).

Other major SaaS events include:

• SaaStock (Europe-focused)
• Gartner Tech Growth & Innovation Conference
• Dreamforce (Salesforce’s massive event)

Would you like recommendations based on your specific SaaS goals? 🚀

SaaStr Annual is generally considered the premier event specifically focused on SaaS (Software as a Service).

It’s the largest non-vendor SaaS conference in the world, typically drawing over 12,000 SaaS founders, executives, and investors. The event is known for its focused content on SaaS growth strategies, metrics, and best practices, making it particularly valuable for B2B SaaS companies.

While Dreamforce is larger overall, SaaStr Annual is more specifically focused on the SaaS business model and community, rather than being tied to a specific vendor’s ecosystem.

Here’s a deeper dive into SaaStr Annual and why it’s considered the top SaaS event:

Core Elements:

• Takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area (usually Silicon Valley)
• Features over 300 speakers across multiple tracks
• Focuses exclusively on SaaS metrics, growth strategies, and operational excellence
• Typically runs for 3 days with pre and post-event networking

Key Differentiators:

1. Quality of Content

• Sessions are data-driven and focus on actionable metrics
• Speakers must share real numbers and concrete strategies
• No paid speaking slots, ensuring genuine value
• Heavy emphasis on peer learning and founder-to-founder knowledge sharing

2. Networking Focus

• Structured networking sessions by company stage and size
• Dedicated matchmaking for founders and investors
• Office hours with successful SaaS founders and VCs
• Small group mentoring sessions

3. Attendee Composition

• 60%+ C-level executives
• Strong representation from high-growth SaaS companies
• Significant VC and investor presence
• International audience (40%+ international attendees)

4. Learning Tracks

• Early-stage founder sessions
• Scale-up strategies for $10M-$100M ARR companies
• Enterprise SaaS focused content
• Product and engineering leadership
• Revenue operations and sales strategy
• Customer success and retention

5. Unique Format

• “Mini MBA” style curriculum
• Workshop-based learning
• Live SaaS metrics benchmarking
• Real-time polling and audience interaction

What makes it particularly valuable is the laser focus on SaaS-specific challenges and opportunities, unlike broader tech conferences. The emphasis on practical, actionable content and peer learning, rather than vendor pitches or theoretical discussions, sets it apart from other events in the space.

Per DeepSeek:

The#1 event in SaaS(Software as a Service) is widely considered to beSaaStr Annual, hosted by SaaStr.

This event is the largest non-vendor-specific gathering of SaaS executives, founders, and investors globally. It typically takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area and attracts thousands of attendees, including top SaaS companies, thought leaders, and venture capitalists.

What Makes SaaStr Annual the #1 SaaS Event?

1. Scale and Reach:
   • SaaStr Annual is thelargest gathering of SaaS professionalsglobally, typically attracting10,000+ attendees.
   • It brings togetherfounders, executives, investors, and operatorsfrom both early-stage startups and established SaaS giants.
2. High-Profile Speakers:
   • The event featuresindustry leadersfrom top SaaS companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Zoom, and more.
   • Past speakers includeMarc Benioff (Salesforce),Stewart Butterfield (Slack),Alyssa Henry (Square), andJason Lemkin (SaaStr founder).
3. Actionable Insights:
   • The agenda is packed withpractical, actionable contenttailored to SaaS businesses, including:
     • Scaling strategies
     • Go-to-market (GTM) tactics
     • Fundraising and venture capital insights
     • Product-led growth (PLG) strategies
     • Customer retention and churn reduction
   • Sessions are designed to help SaaS companiesgrow faster and smarter.
4. Networking Opportunities:
   • The event is ahub for networkingwith SaaS founders, executives, and investors.
   • It includesdedicated networking sessions, roundtables, and after-parties to foster connections.
5. Investor Access:
   • SaaStr Annual is aprime event for fundraising. Many top SaaS investors attend, including:
     • Sequoia Capital
     • Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
     • Bessemer Venture Partners
     • Accel
   • Startups often use the event to pitch and secure funding.
6. Global SaaS Community:
   • While the event is based in theSan Francisco Bay Area, it attracts aglobal audience, making it a melting pot of SaaS innovation and ideas.
7. Year-Round Impact:
   • SaaStr isn’t just an annual event; it’s ayear-round communitywith resources like:
     • SaaStr blogandpodcasts
     • SaaStr Europa(European edition)
     • SaaStr Scale(focused on scaling SaaS businesses)

Key Themes at SaaStr Annual

• Scaling SaaS Businesses: How to grow from1Mto1Mto100M+ in ARR.
• Fundraising: Best practices for raising venture capital in SaaS.
• Product-Led Growth (PLG): Leveraging product adoption to drive revenue.
• Customer Success: Reducing churn and increasing lifetime value (LTV).
• AI and Automation: How AI is transforming SaaS businesses.
• Global Expansion: Strategies for entering new markets.

Who Attends SaaStr Annual?

• SaaS Founders and CEOs: Looking to learn, network, and grow their businesses.
• Investors: Seeking the next big SaaS opportunity.
• C-Suite Executives: CROs, CMOs, and CPOs focused on scaling their companies.
• Operators: Product managers, customer success leaders, and sales professionals.
• Emerging Startups: Early-stage companies looking for mentorship and funding.

Why SaaStr Annual Stands Out

• Non-Vendor-Specific: Unlike events like Dreamforce (hosted by Salesforce), SaaStr Annual isnot tied to a specific vendor, making it a neutral ground for SaaS professionals.
• Focus on SaaS: It’s 100% dedicated to SaaS, unlike broader tech conferences.
• Proven Track Record: Many SaaS companies credit SaaStr with helping them scale and secure funding.

Other Notable SaaS Events

While SaaStr Annual is the #1 event, here are other significant SaaS-focused events:

1. Dreamforce(Salesforce):
   • Focus: CRM, cloud computing, and SaaS.
   • Scale: Massive, with 150,000+ attendees.
   • Drawback: Heavily Salesforce-centric.
2. SaaS North:
   • Focus: Canadian and North American SaaS companies.
   • Highlights: Great for networking in the Canadian SaaS ecosystem.
3. SaaS Monster:
   • Focus: European SaaS companies.
   • Highlights: Growing event with a strong focus on European markets.
4. SaaStr Europa:
   • Focus: European SaaS ecosystem.
   • Highlights: A smaller, regional version of SaaStr Annual.

Conclusion

SaaStr Annualis the#1 event in SaaSbecause of its unparalleled scale, high-quality content, and focus on the SaaS industry. It’s a must-attend event for anyone looking to grow, fund, or scale a SaaS business. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or investor, SaaStr Annual offers unmatched opportunities to learn, network, and drive your SaaS business forward.