How Travis Knipe of StarRez Found the Perfect Time to Raise Capital

When is the right time to raise capital for your SaaS business? This question is one of the biggest challenges for founders—and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In this episode of SaaS Founder Stories, hosted by David Brennan, CEO and Co-Founder of Arkeo AI, Travis Knipe, CEO of StarRez, shares how he navigated this critical decision. After decades of bootstrapping and organic growth, Travis and his team raised capital and scaled StarRez into a global leader in student housing software.

From understanding the timing of a raise to choosing the right partner and leveraging metrics, Travis’s journey is packed with valuable insights for SaaS founders looking to scale.

The Challenge: Bootstrapping for Decades

StarRez, a global leader in student housing software, spent decades growing organically without external funding. While this approach allowed the team to retain control and build at their own pace, it also came with limitations.

"We went organic and self-funded for multiple decades—longer than I’d recommend. You can definitely take on funding earlier to accelerate things," says Travis.

The company knew they needed a strategic shift to unlock faster growth, but timing and finding the right partner were critical.

The Solution: Raising Capital at the Right Time

After years of self-funding, StarRez decided to raise capital, partnering with Vista Equity Partners. Travis describes how this move transformed the business:

"We doubled the business in just a couple of years. It took 30 years to get to step one, and then we scaled faster than we ever thought possible."

By embracing the partnership, StarRez not only accessed funding but also gained expertise, best practices, and opportunities for acquisitions.

Key Lessons for SaaS Founders

1. Understand When to Raise Capital

Raising capital isn’t just about securing funds—it’s about being ready to scale. For StarRez, the decision came after years of organic growth, but Travis emphasizes that many companies can—and should—raise earlier.

Takeaway: Assess your business goals and growth potential to determine the right time for funding.

2. Choose the Right Partner

Finding the right investor is as important as raising the capital itself. Travis credits Vista Equity Partners for bringing more than just money:

"They brought resources, expertise, and best practices that helped us grow in ways we couldn’t before."

Takeaway: Look for a partner who aligns with your values and brings skills to the table beyond funding.

3. Focus on Metrics That Matter

Even after decades of success, StarRez hadn’t tracked some key SaaS metrics like Net Revenue Retention (NRR). When they finally measured it, they found an impressive 115%.

"Good intentions—like focusing on customers and retention—paid off, but I wish we’d measured NRR earlier," says Travis.

Takeaway: Stay on top of modern SaaS metrics to understand your business’s health and scalability.

4. Stay Customer-Centric

Despite significant growth, StarRez maintained its focus on solving customer problems. This guiding principle started with Travis’s father, who founded the company, and continues to drive their success today.

"We love helping customers and solving problems with technology. Staying laser-focused on that has been our guiding light," shares Travis.

Takeaway: Growth shouldn’t come at the cost of customer satisfaction—keep them at the center of your strategy.

Conclusion

For SaaS founders, raising capital is one of the most pivotal decisions you’ll make. Travis Knipe’s journey with StarRez highlights the importance of timing, the value of finding the right partner, and the need to stay grounded in customer-focused principles.

If you’re considering raising capital, ask yourself:

• Are you ready to scale, or are you still finding your footing?
• Do you have the right metrics in place to understand your business’s health?
• Have you found a partner who aligns with your goals and values?

Travis’s story proves that with the right timing and strategy, raising capital can be the catalyst for exponential growth.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more from Travis Knipe