Scaling SaaS Teams for Building Agile Talent

Building the right team is the heart of any successful SaaS or product company. My recent conversation with Candice Marshall of Tide Rock revealed some game-changing strategies for hiring and team-building. Here’s what stood out—and how you can apply these lessons to your business.

Why Thinking Long-Term Matters

Tide Rock operates differently from traditional private equity. They use a perpetual investment model that focuses on sustainable growth. 

“We don’t have a requirement to sell our businesses within a certain time period,” Candice explained.

For SaaS founders, this approach is a reminder to think long-term. Don’t just aim for quick wins—build a team that can grow with your company over time.

What’s the Secret to Tide Rock’s ?

Tide Rock takes a two-level approach to hiring, and it’s a game-changer:

1. A Growth Team That Moves Fast
   Their in-house growth team supports portfolio companies in a flexible, fractional way. “We’re essentially a service organization within Tide Rock,” Candice shared. This setup lets them adapt quickly to changing needs.

2. Custom Hiring for Portfolio Companies
   At the portfolio level, they focus on hiring leaders with the perfect blend of technical expertise and cultural fit. 

“We hire new management leaders who can drive growth for the business,” said Candice.

For SaaS startups, the takeaway is simple: balance flexibility with focus. Build a core team for scalability and hire specialists for niche needs.

Why Speed is Everything in Hiring?

Tide Rock knows that speed can make or break a business. Their in-house talent acquisition team has built a database of candidates over a decade, which allows them to fill roles in record time. 

“Speed is of the essence for us,” Candice emphasized. “The right talent with the right skills must generate value immediately.”

For SaaS founders, this means investing in tools or partnerships that make hiring faster without sacrificing quality.

What’s Holding You Back? Fix It Now!

One of Tide Rock’s core strategies is to remove “artificial constraints”—those little roadblocks that slow companies down. “As soon as we acquire a company, we execute on these things,” Candice said.

Think about your own company: What’s slowing you down? Outdated tools? Unclear processes? Hiring gaps? Tackling these issues head-on can help you scale faster and more efficiently.

What Skills Will Your Team Need Tomorrow?

The hiring landscape is changing fast, especially in B2B. Tide Rock stays ahead by focusing on trends like AI, account-based marketing, and data-driven decision-making. 

“Marketing has become a lot more technical now, with AI and machine learning playing a big role,” Candice shared.

For SaaS companies, this is a wake-up call: future-proof your team by upskilling them and hiring talent that can handle emerging trends.

Why Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

When Tide Rock faced a sudden gap in their marketing team, they turned to Uplers—and had a new hire within three weeks. 

“The speed and effectiveness of Uplers allowed us to keep moving forward without missing a beat,” Candice said.

For startups, this highlights the importance of choosing the right hiring partners. The right collaboration can help you fill critical roles quickly and keep your momentum going.

Let’s Wrap This Up: It’s All About the Team

Tide Rock’s approach is a masterclass in building high-performing teams. For SaaS and product companies, the takeaway is clear: don’t just fill seats. Build teams that align with your vision, adapt to challenges, and drive your company toward long-term success.

Your team isn’t just part of your company—it’s the fuel that drives your growth, innovation, and resilience. Get this right, and everything else will fall into place.