Markets2026-07-10 · source-backed

The build-vs-buy threshold dropped roughly 10x in two years.

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2026-07-10

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InformationWeek reports CIOs caught between incumbent vertical SaaS and AI-native challengers, with the market splitting cleanly. Deeply embedded, compliance-aware, workflow-critical software (legal, healthcare, field services) retains customers regardless of AI. Horizontal or thin-feature tools face real displacement. The number that matters: an $80K/year tool is now plausibly replaceable by a six-week internal build using AI-assisted development. I've shipped three solo products this past year and I believe that number. What it misses is the tail: year two of maintaining your six-week build is where the $80K goes.

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CIOs Deeply Horizontal InformationWeek SaaS

The build-vs-buy threshold dropped roughly 10x in two years.

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