I’m Jesse Pujji and today we’re breaking down MongoDB. During our conversation, we get a 101 on database software, talk through Mongo’s creative approach to R&D, learn about how database product advantages compound, and look at what protects Mongo from larger players like Microsoft and Amazon
Show Notes
[00:00:00] – Introduction
[00:03:51] – [First question] – What MongoDB is, what they do, and their scale today
[00:05:03] – The functions of a database and why they’re important
[00:07:37] – The unmet market need that led to founding of MongoDB and the history of the space leading up to today
[00:11:13] – What big data means and how it applies to MongoDB
[00:12:42] – Things that would lead customers of Oracle to leave them for MongoDB
[00:13:42] – The technology stack behind a company like weather.com
[00:14:52] – Types of companies and services that couldn’t exist without MongoDB
[00:16:40] – State of the database marketplace today and where they fit into it
[00:17:51] – How big the new market of big data is and current competitors
[00:19:22] – What makes MongoDB so distinct and why they’re winning
[00:21:34] – The most important metrics and numbers for the business
[00:23:28] – Gross margins and why they spend so much on sales and marketing
[00:24:55] – How investors can justify a company spending so much on marketing
[00:26:19] – The P&L and unit economics of the business
[00:26:47] – How a customer grows after they’ve been acquired
[00:27:21] – Clever ways that MongoDB spends and uses their resources
[00:29:26] – Different types of open source models and how they use it to their advantage
[00:31:22] – One thing MongoDB does exceptionally well and something they could improve
[00:34:19] – What MongoDB has managed to get so right compared to their competitors
[00:36:04] – Their unique go-to-market strategy and why it worked
[00:37:15] – The things that would have to go right for MongoDB to compound over a decade
[00:39:00] – Market factors that may impact their future growth and potential M&A opportunities
[00:40:27] – Biggest risks that may affect MongoDB’s growth trajectory over the next few years
[00:41:01] – What allows them to exist in a world dominated by Google and Microsoft
[00:42:34] – Lessons for builders and investors when studying MongoDB’s story
[00:44:17] – Why changing their CEO was necessary and helped the company recover and thrive