Bessemer's State of the Cloud 2020

TL;DR

Cloud computing has experienced exponential growth over the past 20 years, with thousands of cloud companies emerging and revenue reaching the trillion-dollar mark. The future of cloud is promising, with opportunities in remote work, privacy protection, global expansion, B2B online marketplaces, API economy, and enterprise automation.

Transcript

• [Man] Yee haw! (crowd cheering) (hip hop music) - [Elliot] Wow. - [Byron] You remember those days? - I do man, it's crazy to think about how many cloud skeptics we have over the years. - And they were our gurus. Like those are the leaders that we were supposed to look at and yet they were telling us this cloud business model would never work, it ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😶‍🌫️ Cloud computing has experienced exponential growth over the past 20 years, leading to the emergence of thousands of cloud companies and reaching trillion-dollar revenue milestones.
• 😶‍🌫️ The top five public cloud companies have exhibited impressive market cap growth, showcasing the power of the cloud model.
• 😶‍🌫️ The work-from-home movement, privacy protection, global expansion, B2B online marketplaces, API economy, and enterprise automation are all promising areas within the cloud industry.
• 😶‍🌫️ Scaling, mastering sales and marketing, and setting a strong culture and values are essential for success in the cloud industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has cloud computing evolved over the past 20 years?

Cloud computing has grown from a small industry with only a few companies to a thriving sector with thousands of companies. Revenue has skyrocketed, and the top public cloud companies have experienced significant market cap growth.

Q: What are some key milestones in the cloud industry?

Milestones include the emergence of cloud unicorns, the growth of private cloud companies, and the crossing of trillion-dollar market cap milestone. Additionally, the revenue of SaaS businesses and infrastructure as a service companies has also reached significant milestones.

Q: What are some subcategories within cloud computing that offer opportunities for entrepreneurs?

The work-from-home movement, privacy protection, global expansion, B2B online marketplaces, API economy, and enterprise automation are all subcategories within cloud computing that present opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Q: How can companies succeed in the cloud industry?

Companies can succeed by focusing on scaling, mastering sales and marketing, and setting a strong culture and values. Launching a second act, engaging in diversity and inclusion initiatives, and participating in community initiatives like Pledge 1% also contribute to success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Over the past 20 years, cloud computing has grown exponentially, with the number of cloud companies increasing from tens to thousands and revenue reaching the trillion-dollar mark.

• The top five public cloud companies have experienced significant market cap growth, showcasing the power of the cloud model.

• Cloud computing has taken over the software industry, with cloud solutions being used by 94% of enterprises.