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Supabase’s Paul Copplestone | Strategy vs Playing Startup | S3E10 | Spotlight On | AccelVC
@ Accel
05/14/25
Takeaways
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I built Supabase not for investors, but to create the best product for developers.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Supabase is a backend-as-a-service platform that allows developers to build in a weekend and scale to millions, centered around PostgreSQL, the world's most popular database.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I learned a lot from my first startup, especially about what not to do, like playing startup without having product-market fit.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
In Supabase, we only hire when we have a pressing problem to solve, which keeps our team lean and focused on delivering value.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I realized that it doesn't matter what you start; it matters what you finish, so I focused on helping founders launch quickly to iterate effectively.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I chose PostgreSQL for Supabase because I recognized its potential trajectory and open-source nature, which allows us to build a business without being tied to a commercial entity. We compete on experience rather than licensing, which allows us to build a unique offering based on our principles, including data portability.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
If our platform isn't the best, users should be able to take their data to any other Postgres provider, which reflects our confidence in competing for user loyalty.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I didn't build Supabase for investors; I built it to create the best product for developers, and I believe Postgres is the right tool for that.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
When launching a business quickly, you need more than just a database; you need a suite of tools to support functionalities like user authentication and file storage.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our product roadmap has been largely defined by our community, which has guided our development and helped us prioritize features.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Listening to user feedback and delivering what they ask for has been crucial to our success, as seen in our launches on platforms like Hacker News.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We maintain a dual philosophy in our product design: everything should feel integrated while also being composable, allowing users to utilize services independently.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
AI builders appreciate our single API approach, which simplifies the integration of various tools and enhances the user experience.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Both AI builders and traditional developers find value in our platform, with increasing attachment rates for different products, especially in real-time applications.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our product decisions have been a mix of strategic planning and responding to user needs, which has shaped our growth and success. We always wanted to answer how to build the next Oracle, focusing on a long-term vision while also addressing immediate decisions that align with that goal.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
The waves of trends like Web 3 and AI are observed, but we don't abandon our long-term vision of building the next Oracle; we just make short-term decisions that won't conflict with it.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Managing a fully distributed team means we have just one meeting per week, which was initially strange for new hires who were used to more frequent meetings.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our written culture is crucial at Supabase, as it helps us filter out those who don't thrive in a remote work environment where most communication is asynchronous.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We use a Request for Comments (RFC) process to encourage team members to propose solutions to problems, which helps detach personal attachment from ideas and fosters collaboration.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Each team manually inputs their key metrics weekly, which ensures they own and understand their performance, rather than relying on automated systems that might lead to disengagement.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
The unique approach of building Supabase allows us to attract top talent globally, especially former founders who value independence and freedom in their work. I think the system we've built is the scalable solution that most companies need to find eventually; as a founder, you can't be across everything.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We hire ex-founders who are reluctant managers but know they have to manage, which helps us prepare for the next stages of the company.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We treat our global hiring strategy like 'Moneyball', hiring talent from anywhere in the world instead of just major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our company is distributed across 30 countries because we search globally for the right person for the job, regardless of their location.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
To maintain cultural consistency as we scale, we hire people who already fit the culture we want, focusing on characteristics like intrinsic motivation and low ego.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our community is our biggest moat; they contribute, report bugs, and hold us to a high standard, which is invaluable for our growth.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We don't focus on metrics like GitHub stars anymore; instead, we prioritize ensuring our community benefits and supports each other.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
It's crucial to keep engaging with the community as the company scales; losing sight of them can lead to a decline in community love and support.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
The only way to maintain community engagement is for significant company figures to continue interacting with the community, as it's our long-term advantage.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
The name 'Supabase' originated as a joke when we couldn't find a suitable database name, and it was initially a placeholder that stuck after we gained traction.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
I still receive emails about every mention of Supabase online, and I actively engage with critical feedback from the community, responding to issues raised on platforms like Twitter.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
A community becomes self-sustaining when you find dedicated members, like Gary Austin, who actively engage and support others, creating a bond between the community and the internal team.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
We prioritize open source tools because they are integral to our business model, and we focus on what we can reasonably contribute back to the community.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Focusing on our core mission means saying no to hosting websites, as we aim to build the world's largest database company rather than compete in areas where others excel.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Luck and timing play a significant role in startup success, and we were fortunate to launch Supabase during a favorable VC hype cycle, which was crucial for our growth.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
Our focus this year is on enhancing the experience for builders, as we see a surge in new developers entering the market, which has doubled our signup rate and support tickets.
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Paul Copplestone
05/14/25
@ Accel
As a founder, my role has shifted from coding to focusing on team culture and alignment, ensuring everyone is pointed in the same direction as the company grows.