Rob Biederman Shares Smart Strategies to Scale Your Startup at TechCrunch 2025
Scaling a business can feel like trying to juggle while running a marathon—fast-paced, intense, and full of surprises. That’s why startup founders are always on the lookout for advice that actually works in the real world. And at TechCrunch Early Stage 2025, founders found just that during a fireside chat with entrepreneur and investor Rob Biederman.
In case you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down the biggest takeaways from Rob’s session on how to scale your startup the smart way, without burning out or breaking the bank.
Who is Rob Biederman?
For those not yet familiar with him, Rob Biederman is a big name in the startup community. He co-founded Catalant Technologies, a platform that helps companies find top on-demand talent for complex projects. He’s also a seasoned investor through Asymmetric Capital Partners, where he backs growing startups and helps them navigate the challenges of rapid expansion.
With experience as both a founder and a funder, Rob brings a rare perspective—he knows what it takes to build something from scratch and guide it through critical growth phases.
Smart Scaling: What It Really Means
So what exactly does it mean to “scale smart”? According to Biederman, it’s not about growing at all costs. Instead, it’s about building a solid foundation that allows for sustainable, long-term expansion.
Here’s where many founders go wrong:
- Focusing too much on fundraising instead of customers
- Hiring too fast and creating organizational chaos
- Failing to build systems that support scaling
Biederman emphasized that throwing money at a problem isn’t the answer. In fact, some of the healthiest companies grow more deliberately. “It’s not about raising the most, it’s about doing the most with what you raise,” Rob shared during the session.
Fundraising Isn’t the End Goal
Let’s be honest—many founders dream about landing that huge Series A or B round. And sure, having cash on hand helps. But Rob made a strong case for shifting that focus. “Fundraising is a tool, not a milestone,” he said. In other words, just because you raise a lot of money doesn’t mean your startup is successful.
He encouraged founders to first answer: What problem am I solving, and who needs this desperately? Early growth should come from finding those core users and delivering real value to them. Once that’s figured out, the funding will follow naturally.
Building a Rockstar Team—Without the Growing Pains
Scaling a team is one of the hardest parts of business growth. Hire too quickly and you risk a bloated organization that lacks cohesion. Hire too slowly and you miss big opportunities.
Rob suggests a balanced approach. Instead of flooding your startup with new hires when money comes in, use that moment to rethink your structure. Ask yourself:
- What roles are truly essential right now?
- Are we creating clear responsibilities and accountability?
- Do new hires support the company vision, or just put out fires?
It’s not about building a big team—it’s about building the right one.
Systems Set You Free
When your startup is growing quickly, things get chaotic. People wear multiple hats. Emails go unanswered. Projects fall through the cracks. That’s why Biederman stressed the importance of setting up the right systems early—to keep things running smoothly later on.
Think of systems as the engine beneath your business. Without a strong engine, you’re not going very far. Here are a few areas Rob recommends systematizing as you grow:
- Internal communication – establish routines for team updates, feedback, and project management
- Hiring and onboarding – create templates and playbooks so new employees can hit the ground running
- Sales and customer success – develop repeatable processes that scale as your customer base grows
It might not seem “exciting,” but smart operations build a startup that can handle serious growth without falling apart.
Resilience Over Hype
In a tech world full of viral headlines and unicorn valuations, it’s easy to get lost in the hype. But Rob Biederman advised founders to take a different route: focus on resilience. Markets change. Investors get hot and cold. What really keeps a company alive is its ability to adapt, not its ability to chase trends.
He shared this simple truth: “The best startups are the most boring ones”—meaning, the ones that consistently solve a problem and quietly generate revenue, no matter what the market looks like.
Final Thoughts: Scaling Is a Mindset
At the end of the day, scaling isn’t just about bigger budgets or flashier headlines. It’s about building a strong foundation that can grow without crumbling. Rob’s advice is a good reminder of that.
Here’s a quick recap of Rob Biederman’s scaling strategy:
- Start with your customers—not your pitch deck
- Treat hiring as strategy, not reaction
- Use systems to keep chaos in check
- Stay resilient through ups and downs
Rob’s take is refreshing because it’s not based on buzzwords—it’s based on real experience. And for founders ready to grow, it offers a clear path forward.
So, Where Do You Go From Here?
If you’re a founder trying to figure out your next move, ask yourself:
- Am I building just to look big—or to last?
- Are we chasing funding—or solving real problems for customers?
- Do we have the systems and people in place to grow sustainably?
The good news? You don’t have to scale alone. Follow voices like Rob Biederman and others who’ve walked the path. And remember—it’s not only about getting bigger. It’s about getting better.
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Written by a startup enthusiast who’s seen what happens when growth goes right—and when it doesn’t.