There was a time when we were excited about our favorite software company releasing a new product. But nowadays, the entry barrier in the software market is low, and the quality of the majority of products reflects that.
We genuinely believe that there's nothing quite like a product that looks and feels great without compromises. If it's enjoyable, you'll use it more and get more done while feeling better about it.
There are no shortcuts; good software is created with attention to detail and a love for the craft. That's what we're committed to.
The people that struggled with freelancing software in the past
are the people that came up with the idea
are the people that design & develop the product
are the people that own the product.
We bootstrapped our company 100% self-funded with 0 investors. This means we can pursue our vision without having to accommodate any shareholders.
Why is that important?
Well, it isn't necessarily! Many startups do great either way. However, when investors inject money into a startup, their primary focus tends to be on financial results, we'll not argue with that.
There will be decisions where the economically reasonable route or the best possible outcome for users may clash. And not always, but more often, the economically motivated choice will prevail when shareholders aim to maximize their profits.
Being independent and 100% self-owned liberates us from the interests of shareholders, giving us the ability to do amazing things for our users without constantly needing to justify economic reasons. It enables experimentation and the creation of things that may not drive ROI but are simply fun and enjoyable.
It also fosters a mindset focused on organic, sustainable growth rather than growth until the nearest exit. It doesn't mean Fugoya will never have a different owner, but it means there's no force preventing us from taking the most well-considered actions.
This approach is generally seen as slow and unorthodox, but it's the only way we want to do it.
Business folks might say it's bad for business, but we're 100% committed to keeping our users informed about our plans. That's why our roadmap is right up front and center in our website navigation.
This approach might sometimes lead to not fulfilling promises if they turn out to be unfeasible. However, we have strong faith in open communication and the maturity of our community. There are no hidden agendas in the background, and we're not here for a quick cash grab and then to be forgotten.
Thomas Strobl
Long-term one-man-show,
and eventually founder of Fugoya