RESOURCES TO GROW COMPANIES

Re-Living The First SaaS and Tech Growth Meetup

Written by Michael Bertoni | Sep 12, 2025 4:45:00 AM

Our very first SaaS and Tech Growth Meetup was a night of energy, ideas, and new connections.

And this is just the beginning: The next SaaS and Tech Growth Meetup is set for Sept. 17th, and you don't want to miss it. Sign up HERE.


Inside the Launch of the First Meetup

On Thursday, July 10th, Philadelphia saw the launch of something truly exciting: The very first SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup. This wasn’t just another networking event. Instead, it was the start of a movement that was designed to bring together SaaS and tech leaders, startups, investors, and job seekers who want to grow, share, and thrive together.

The evening was packed with energy, inspiration, and meaningful conversations. From networking over food and drinks to hearing an inspiring keynote by a successful SaaS founder, the event set the tone for what’s to come in this new series of meetups.

 

Why Was This Meetup Created?

The driving force behind this meetup is Michael C. Bertoni, the Founder and CEO of SaaS Talent. With over 25 years of experience helping SaaS and tech companies grow, Michael wanted to create a community where people could connect, learn, and accelerate their growth together. He explained the vision very clearly:

  • Vision: To become the #1 community for SaaS and tech startups.
  • Mission: To build curated, expert SaaS and tech programming that adds value to everyone in the community and drives growth.

Michael emphasized that this isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating real impact. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or someone who is looking to break into SaaS and tech, this meetup offers something for you.


Who Took the Stage as the First Speaker?

The highlight of the evening was a powerful session by Greg Leizerowicz, Co-Founder and CTO of Hopskip, a Philadelphia-based hospitality SaaS startup.


Who is Greg Leizerowicz?

Greg has over 20 years of software engineering experience and is now leading the technology vision at Hopskip, a company founded in 2019. Backed by a $3M seed round, Hopskip is solving real challenges in the hospitality industry with innovative SaaS solutions. During his talk, Greg shared his inspiring journey titled: “My SaaS Startup Journey: From Lead Engineer to Funded SaaS Startup.”

He walked the audience through the highs and lows of building a SaaS company from the ground up, covering everything from writing the first lines of code to scaling a startup that secured major funding. His insights were not only practical but also motivating for anyone dreaming of starting their own SaaS venture.


What Did Attendees Experience?

The agenda was carefully designed to balance structured learning with plenty of open networking.

  • Networking, food, and drinks to start the evening.
  • Welcome remarks by Michael Bertoni, sharing the vision and purpose behind the SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup.
  • Keynote by Greg Leizerowicz on his SaaS startup journey.
  • More networking to close the evening.

The mix of structured sessions and casual conversations created the perfect environment for attendees to learn, connect, and share ideas. Many people walked away not only with new knowledge but also with valuable new connections.


Who Should Join Future Meetups?

One of the biggest takeaways from this event is that the SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup is for everyone in the ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the industry for years, there’s a place for you here.

This community is designed for:

  • SaaS and Tech Leaders who are looking to share and learn.
  • SaaS and Tech Investors who are searching for the next big idea.
  • Expert SaaS resources offering specialized knowledge.
  • For SaaS and tech startups that aim to scale faster.
  • SaaS and Tech Job Seekers who want to connect with the right opportunities.

By creating a diverse group, the meetup ensures that everyone benefits from shared experiences and expertise.


What Topics Will Be Covered in the Future?

The first event was only the beginning. The organizers shared a long list of exciting programming topics that will be featured in upcoming meetups, including:

  • Go-to-Market (GTM) playbooks.
  • Lead generation strategies.
  • Sales techniques.
  • Product-led growth and founder-led growth.
  • Customer success and retention strategies.
  • Content marketing best practices.
  • AI-first strategies and tech stack differentiation.
  • Finding product-market fit.
  • Building an MVP and UI/UX best practices.
  • Legal and IP considerations.
  • Talent acquisition in the US and LATAM.
  • Securing funding through VCs and angel investors.

These are not just buzzwords. Each topic will be explored through practical, real-world insights delivered by experienced SaaS leaders.


Who Else is Behind This Movement?

The SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup is powered by SaaS Talent, a company with deep roots in the SaaS and tech space. Their client list includes respected names such as Clutch, Hopskip, Medical Guardian, Arcweb, Intelligent Contacts, Chain, Activate, Keriton, ThriveTRM, Pacer, Energage, Purplelab, Source Digital, Ciright, Trial Interactive, Vettx, PowerPay, Enigma Networkz, and many others.

This background gives the team credibility and shows their commitment to building a strong and resourceful community.


How Can Leaders Get Involved?

One of the clear calls to action during the meetup was for more people to get involved in shaping the community. The organizers are actively looking for:

Board Members.
Committee Members.
Committee Members.
Sponsors.
Expert SaaS Resources.


If you’re passionate about SaaS and tech, this is your chance to play an active role in building something impactful. Attendees were encouraged to visit the Contact Page and share how they’d like to help.


What Made the First Event Special?

What stood out the most about this launch event was the energy in the room. It wasn’t just about listening to a speaker or swapping business cards. Instead, it felt like the start of a real movement, one where people are genuinely excited to support each other and grow together.

Attendees left not only with practical insights from Greg’s talk but also with a sense of belonging to a community that’s going to make waves in Philadelphia and beyond.

 


What’s Next for the SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup?

This first meetup was only the beginning. With plans to host monthly events, each one will build on the last, bringing in new speakers, fresh ideas, and even more opportunities for networking and collaboration. Future sessions promise to dive deep into critical topics that every SaaS and tech leader needs to know. As the community grows, so will the value it provides to its members.


Why Should YOU Join the Next Meetup?

The SaaS and Tech GROWTH Meetup has officially kicked off, and the buzz from the first event makes it clear that this is the community to watch if you’re serious about SaaS and tech. From Michael’s passion and vision to Greg’s inspiring journey, the launch event set the tone for something bigger than just monthly gatherings. It’s about building a thriving ecosystem where everyone  – leaders, investors, startups, and job seekers – can connect, grow, and succeed together.

So, if you missed the first one, don’t worry. The next meetup will take place on September 17th,  and you won’t want to miss it. This is your chance to join early, get involved, and be part of a community that’s shaping the future of SaaS and tech.

Stay up to date on our upcoming events through our official Meetup channel.

 

Connect with Michael C. Bertoni on LinkedIn. If you would like to learn more about how SaaS Talent can help you scale your business, set up a Free Strategy Session with us by clicking here, or set up a meeting using the calendar below.