Building a SaaS business from the ground up is no easy feat — especially when you choose to bootstrap instead of relying on external funding. Yet, Chhai Thach, co-founder of Teamgo, has not only successfully built a thriving SaaS product but also played a pivotal role in establishing Adelaide’s startup ecosystem. From launching South Australia’s first co-working space to founding SouthStart, Chhai’s journey is filled with valuable lessons on focus, perseverance, and community building.
In this blog post, we dive into the insights Chhai shared during his recent podcast appearance, where he reflects on over a decade of navigating product-market fit, scaling a SaaS product, choosing bootstrapping over VC funding, and the importance of building strong co-founder relationships. Whether you’re an aspiring SaaS founder or looking to build your own startup ecosystem, there’s plenty to learn from Chhai’s story.
The Early Days: Building Adelaide’s Startup Ecosystem from Scratch
Chhai’s entrepreneurial journey started not with software, but with building the infrastructure for Adelaide’s tech ecosystem. In 2012, after participating in the first Startup Weekend Adelaide, Chhai realised there was no dedicated space for founders to collaborate and grow.
This led to the creation of Majoran, Adelaide’s first tech-focused co-working space.
Key Lessons from Building the Ecosystem:
- Solve a real, existing need – Adelaide’s founders needed a physical space to collaborate.
- Community is built by gathering people — from casual meetups to formal events.
- Partnerships with local councils and property owners can provide crucial early support.
“We had no money, no connections, no place to work — so we built our own.”
From Ecosystem Builder to SaaS Founder: Launching Teamgo
Chhai’s love for software eventually led him to co-found Teamgo, a visitor management software platform, in 2013. Balancing Teamgo alongside community projects like SouthStart and Majoran was challenging. Eventually, he made the tough decision to focus fully on Teamgo — a move that ultimately paid off.
Why Focus Matters:
- Running 3-4 projects at once diluted energy and results.
- SaaS requires deep focus to achieve product-market fit and scale.
- Passing the torch — Chhai handed over SouthStart and Majoran to capable successors.
Takeaway: Successful SaaS founders learn that saying no to distractions is essential for long-term growth.
Bootstrapped Growth: Choosing Profits Over Venture Capital
Despite early exploration into raising venture capital, Chhai and his co-founder chose to remain bootstrapped. Why?
- They valued control and independence.
- Teamgo was already profitable.
- They wanted to build a sustainable business, not chase short-term growth metrics.
- “Our customers are our investors — they fund our growth.”
Key Benefits of Bootstrapping:
- Full creative and operational control.
- No pressure to deliver unnatural hyper-growth.
- Focused on solving real customer problems, not investor expectations.
Co-Founder Relationships: 10+ Years of Partnership
A strong co-founder relationship is critical for long-term success. Chhai and his co-founder, Steve, have been partners for over a decade — longer than most marriages!
What Makes Their Partnership Work:
- Clear division of roles.
- Mutual respect and trust.
- Minimal personal entanglement — they don’t socialise much outside of work.
- Open, honest communication.
“We work together, but we don’t hang out. That separation keeps things professional and focused.”
The Evolving Product: From Visitor Management to Workplace Safety Suite
Teamgo didn’t remain a simple visitor sign-in tool. Over time, customer requests drove product evolution, leading to:
- Contractor management tools.
- Emergency alerts & evacuation management.
- Health and safety compliance features.
- Booking and pre-approval systems.
Lesson: Listen to customers. Build what they need — not what you think is cool.
The Challenges of Scaling a Bootstrapped SaaS
Scaling any business is hard — but scaling a bootstrapped SaaS comes with extra challenges:
- Limited marketing budget.
- Needing to test and iterate marketing strategies carefully.
- Balancing product development with customer acquisition.
What Works for Teamgo:
- Online acquisition through Google Ads and organic search.
- Partnering with resellers and white-label partners.
- Focusing on sustainable, organic growth over risky, rapid expansion.
Advice for New Founders: Chhai’s Top Lessons
For founders just starting out, Chhai offered practical wisdom:
1. Focus on Solving One Problem
Don’t build bloated, all-in-one software. Start with one clear, high-value problem.
2. Expect It to Be Hard
Most startups fail. Success comes from relentless perseverance, not luck.
3. Hire Slowly, Fire Quickly
Hiring the right team — especially in sales and marketing for SaaS — is incredibly tough.
If someone’s not the right fit, let them go fast.
4. Bootstrap if You Can
If you can reach profitability without external funding, you gain freedom and control your destiny.
5. Focus on Your First 100 Customers
These are your real investors — their feedback will shape your product’s evolution.
Conclusion
Chhai Thach’s journey from ecosystem builder to SaaS founder offers a masterclass in focus, perseverance, and customer-centric growth. By bootstrapping Teamgo and resisting the pressure to raise VC funding, Chhai and his co-founder have built a profitable, sustainable SaaS business that continues to evolve.
His story highlights that the path to success isn’t always glamorous — it’s built through hard work, smart decisions, and relentless customer focus. For founders juggling multiple ideas or wondering whether to raise funding, Chhai’s advice is clear: solve a real problem, listen to your customers, and don’t be afraid to focus.