Creating a Privacy Solution for the Digital World

Navigating Success in Early-Stage Startups

Sam Solberg, a lawyer turned tech entrepreneur, has made an impressive journey from corporate law to founding hxoggo, a cutting-edge privacy-focused SaaS platform. Drawing on his experience navigating legal frameworks and advising startups, Sam offers a unique lens on the challenges and opportunities in the tech space. On a recent episode of Tech Salescraft with James Hounslow, Sam unpacked his transition and shared invaluable insights into building for success in the start-up world.

The Unicorns and the Challenge of Privacy

In an age when data privacy is more vital than ever, hoggo positions itself at the forefront of innovation, aiming to set the global standard for trust in B2B transactions. Reflecting on his path, Sam noted, “Good intentions aren’t enough. If you don’t deeply understand what your users need and listen to them, you’ll miss the mark every time.”

Sam’s unique perspective comes from years of hands-on experience—first as a corporate lawyer advising startups on due diligence and intellectual property and later as a privacy consultant managing the complexities of regulatory compliance for tech giants. This diverse background enabled him to identify inefficiencies in existing processes and conceptualise a streamlined solution that saves both time and resources.

Sales Focus in Startups: A Balancing Act

Sam emphasises the importance of a sales-first mindset, especially in early-stage companies. For startups, he argues, revenue generation often defines survival. However, he warns founders against neglecting cultural fit and team alignment. He stresses that startups should hire for the immediate “chapter one” while planning for adaptability in future growth stages. “The first 20 hires will make or break your startup,” he said, underscoring the importance of balancing skills, culture, and scalability in hiring decisions.

The CEO’s Hat: A Constant Shift

Transitioning from legal roles to leading a startup has been a steep learning curve for Sam. His honesty about the role’s challenges is a refreshing take for aspiring founders. He shared, “In the early days, you wear every hat—product development, legal, sales—but the true challenge is learning to let go. Delegation isn’t just practical; it’s critical to scaling.” For Sam, this meant focusing on core leadership tasks while bringing in experts for specific functions, ensuring hoggo remained agile and innovative.

Looking Ahead: Building for Trust

With hoggo, Sam aims to redefine how companies build and maintain trust in digital ecosystems. Leveraging AI and automation, the platform generates detailed “trust passports” for businesses, simplifying data sharing and compliance processes while saving significant resources. This innovation addresses a pain point Sam experienced firsthand during his years as a privacy consultant.

As hoggo scales, Sam envisions a future where trust becomes an industry standard, comparable to how cybersecurity evolved into an indispensable business function two decades ago. With remote-first operations and a global outlook, hoggo’s ambitions are set to disrupt traditional approaches to privacy and compliance.

A Founder’s Wisdom

Sam’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability. Whether grappling with the complexities of transitioning careers or managing the inherent chaos of startups, his story inspires founders to prioritise learning, listening, and evolving with the market’s demands. “The hardest roads often lead to the greatest rewards,” Sam concluded, a mantra that underscores his approach to both personal growth and business innovation.