Insights

Build a connected management dashboard in a day

How TanStack Router, TanStack Query, and ShadCN speed up our development

When building data-heavy dashboards, efficiency is key. We used to spend a lot of time managing routing, data fetching, and UI components, but with the help of TanStack Router, TanStack Query, and ShadCN, we've drastically sped up our development process. These tools simplify complex tasks, improve performance, and allow us to focus more on what matters: delivering powerful features for our users. Here's how each one has made a huge difference in our workflow.

Create a Custom AI RAG from your Google Sheet

Imagine you want to build AI applications using your own data but lack expertise in databases, APIs, or large language models (LLMs). A straightforward solution is to create a copy of your data in a ‘shadow’ database using tools like Google Sheets, Notion, or Airtable.

The forgotten principles of internet money

Those who control attention, control the masses. We just saw it happen with $TRUMP, Donald Trump's meme coin that soared over $10 billion in market value almost overnight. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s a reminder of one uncomfortable truth: those that can capture attention don't always lead us in the right direction. More often than not, it drives people away from security, privacy, and sovereignty. When I first discovered Bitcoin back in 2012, I was hooked. Satoshi’s whitepaper outlined a vision of peer-to-peer electronic cash, an innovation that could detach money from the state. It felt cypherpunk. Technology to empower individuals. But now, I became allergic to the world of crypto. I can't relate to the greedy and financially nihilistic mindset most people carry

The rise of vertical AI

I recently wrote about vertical AI in my newsletter and thought it would be worth sharing here on the Eli5 blog as well. The concept of Vertical SaaS (VSaaS) is far from new, but with the integration of AI, it’s reaching an entirely new level of impact. Vertical SaaS is specialized software tailored to the unique needs of a specific industry, providing deeply integrated solutions for their core operations. It allows for better efficiency, data utilization, and AI integration compared to generalized horizontal tools.

Startups to Watch: January

The startup world thrives on vision and execution. This month’s selection highlights twenty companies addressing real problems with sharp focus and bold solutions. Each startup here offers a glimpse into the industries of tomorrow, pushing boundaries with scalable technologies and innovative ideas. From AI to enterprise tools, these founders are building the future. Let’s dive into January’s most promising ventures.

The Efficiency Revolution: Workflow automation and AI become critical for viable businesses

Did you know that 85% of businesses that fail name inefficiency as a key factor? Still, for decades, inefficiency was survivable. You could limp along the competition with bloated processes, lack of systems, and messy operations. You would not be as profitable as others, and you would probably have a bunch more headaches, but you would still exist. Those days are over. Not in five years, not next year. Now. The era of hyperautomation is here. A technological evolution leaning on workflow automation and AI. This evolutionary shift is going faster than any other massive shift we've seen so far. For those who choose to "wait and see," let me be absolutely clear: you're becoming irrelevant faster than you think.

The role of the chief AI officer

Introducing a new key role with a first-100-days-plan The premise of my argument is that there will be no single element in an average organisation that remains unaffected by AI. The AI officer’s highest purpose is to transition the organisation into an AI-embedded operation capable of coping with the disruptive changes without wasting significant money and time. In this blog, I review the necessity of taking action, outline the AI officer’s role, and provide a plan for the first 100 days.

Harnessing Emerging Tech for Tomorrow’s Solutions

The world of tech is moving at an unprecedented pace, redefining how we work and innovate. We’re witnessing the biggest transformation since the industrial revolution, fueled by a wave of emerging technologies that are changing the game. The choice is clear: either wait, watch, and risk falling behind as a follower, or lean into these rapid advancements and harness them to propel your business forward. At Eli5, we choose the latter. We’ve been at the forefront of integrating and deploying emerging tech to create solutions that reshape work and set new standards. Whether it’s leveraging AI for smarter products, hyperautomation enhancing efficiency, blockchain securing trust, or cybersecurity protecting assets, we make bleeding-edge tech work for users today. And we do it with the conviction that today’s experiments are tomorrow’s essentials.

The Art of Product Development and Design

Product design is key to building intuitive, user-friendly products. Refined aesthetics and seamless UX can elevate your product to new heights, but if your product looks flawless at launch, you’ve spent too long building it. Design is meant to evolve alongside your product. It’s okay to push out an MVP that’s less polished to get it online quickly. It’s fine if the initial flow isn’t perfect. At Eli5, we take a holistic approach. If pixel-perfect design serves the goal, we’ll go all in. If getting the MVP out the door fast is the move, we’ll go for ‘good enough.’ We’re purists in doing what’s needed to move the needle. Reducing churn for millions of users needs a different product design strategy than validating an idea with a scrappy prototype in the hands of early adopters. Let's dive into some of our fundamentals within product development and design.

Front-Loaded Energy Distribution

We’ve all been there. Stuck in reactive mode, juggling loose ends in both work and life. Your to-do list feels endless, your energy is scattered, and no matter how hard you push, scaling your impact seems impossible. Here’s the thing: there’s no magic solution for productivity or success. But there is a strategy that can radically improve how you work and what you accomplish. It’s called Front-Loaded Energy Distribution. It’s about building momentum early and making bursts of energy work for you. By applying this concept, you can turn your days into high-performance windows, smooth out the chaos of your projects, and create the foundation for successful businesses. If you’re ambitious enough, it can even help you build not just one company, but an entire portfolio of thriving businesses.

The Rise of Micro-SaaS: Finding a Niche in a Crowded Market

For anyone thinking the game is over in SaaS, I got news. Technological innovations are constantly opening new doors for products and SaaS opportunities. This alone should have you rethinking your stance And then there’s the debundling effect: large platforms being picked apart piece by piece. Take Reddit, for instance. Community and product builders are taking subreddits and turning them into dedicated products that serve niche audiences better than Reddit ever could. Think about Orion, Gist, and Wavelength. The same goes for HubSpot. Tons of products out there have taken just one feature from HubSpot and built something hyper-focused to serve a specific audience, like Hyperise, Close, and Userlist. Now, let’s take it up another level: the rise of Micro-SaaS. Small, specialized products solving hyper-specific problems with laser focus. Let's dive in.