Founder: John Wright 
Business: StatsDrone 
Revenue/Month: $20K 
Founders: 2 
Employees: 12
Website: statsdrone.com
Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada. 
Founded: 2017 

StatsDrone is redefining how affiliate marketers track and analyze their data, offering a streamlined SaaS platform designed specifically for iGaming affiliates. At its core, the company provides an affiliate stats aggregator that eliminates the headaches of managing multiple programs, delivering performance metrics in a single, centralized view. While iGaming remains the current focus, the broader vision is clear—StatsDrone aims to expand its capabilities to serve the affiliate marketing industry as a whole. 

Unlike many startups that rely on aggressive fundraising to fuel their growth, StatsDrone has taken a different path. “We’ve been entirely bootstrapped so far,” says CEO and co-founder John Wright. “Right now, we’re generating close to $20,000 in monthly recurring revenue, which proves there’s strong demand for what we’ve built.” With an investment round now in progress, the company is preparing for its next stage—one that will allow it to scale operations and further refine its product. 

Wright’s strategic decisions have been shaped by a deep understanding of user behavior. When building the first version of StatsDrone, he made an unconventional choice—it was a desktop application rather than a cloud-based platform. “A lot of people assume cloud is always the best option, but in our case, we knew there was some hesitation from users about storing their affiliate data online,” he explains. Instead of following the industry’s default approach, he prioritized what early adopters would actually feel comfortable using. That decision laid the foundation for strong adoption rates, validating his instincts. 

Now, with a solid base of paying customers and a clear market fit, StatsDrone is preparing to expand. As Wright looks ahead, he sees an opportunity not just to serve iGaming affiliates, but to reshape how affiliate marketers across industries interact with their data. 

From Blackjack to Business: The Unconventional Path to StatsDrone 

Tech founders come from all walks of life, but Wright’s journey is anything but ordinary. His background in mechanical engineering, specializing in robotics and AI, could have led him to a conventional career in automation or software development. Instead, an unexpected introduction to iGaming—and a well-timed glimpse of a friend’s success—sent him down a very different road. 

“A buddy of mine had been trying to recruit me for his blackjack team for years,” Wright recalls. “I thought it was nonsense—until I saw the brand-new BMW M3 sitting in his driveway. That’s when I started paying attention.” Skeptical but curious, he decided to try his hand at online casinos, knowing he had his engineering degree as a fallback. That fallback never became necessary. 

What began as an experiment soon evolved into a full-fledged career in the iGaming industry. Wright threw himself into every aspect of the business, managing affiliate programs, building websites, and mastering SEO, conversion rate optimization, and UX design. “I was essentially learning on the fly,” he says. “There were so many inefficiencies in the industry, and I kept thinking, ‘Why isn’t anyone fixing this?’” Consulting work only reinforced that belief, exposing him to recurring problems that no one seemed to be addressing—not because they weren’t significant, but because they weren’t being framed in a way that led to real solutions. 

That insight pulled him back toward software. Affiliate marketing was familiar territory, but the chance to create something that genuinely improved the industry was far more intriguing. Partnering with a business associate, Wright set out to develop StatsDrone—a tool shaped not just by technical expertise but by years of hands-on experience. Some ideas materialized quickly, while others took time to refine, but the mission was clear: this wouldn’t be just another analytics tool. It would be the result of a career spent spotting inefficiencies—and finally doing something about them. 

Building, Scrapping, and Rebuilding: The Road to a Better Product 

Software development is rarely a straight path, and for Wright, building StatsDrone meant confronting hard realities about performance, scalability, and user expectations. The initial decision to launch as a desktop application made sense at the time—he believed customers would be wary of storing sensitive affiliate data in the cloud. But good intentions didn’t guarantee a smooth rollout. The first two years of development exposed major technical hurdles, forcing difficult decisions about what to keep and what to abandon. 

“There are plenty of things I won’t share because I know others are trying to build something similar,” Wright says. “But I will say this: even well-funded companies have struggled to create an effective affiliate stats aggregator. That was reassuring in a way, but it didn’t make our failures any easier to swallow.” The original version of StatsDrone simply wasn’t fast enough. Data processing took too long, making it unusable for customers who needed real-time insights. After investing years into development, Wright scrapped the entire platform—an expensive, painful decision, but the only viable path forward. 

Now, the product remains in MVP mode, with a major redesign in progress to refine the user experience. The technical challenges have given Wright a new appreciation for app design, particularly how much effort goes into making something feel intuitive. “People don’t see the work that goes on behind the scenes,” he says. “Every tiny decision—button placement, data flow, load speeds—it all adds up. If you get it wrong, customers won’t stick around.” The road has been costly, both in time and money, but he’s clear on one thing: there are no shortcuts when it comes to building software that people actually want to use. 

A Hard Reset and a Fresh Start 

StatsDrone’s first attempt at launching in 2019 didn’t go as planned. Early customers weren’t convinced the software was ready, and in hindsight, Wright agrees. “People were blunt about what wasn’t working,” he says. “It was frustrating, but they weren’t wrong.” He initially tried improving the desktop version, but after running into constant roadblocks, he made a decisive pivot—abandoning the desktop model entirely and rebuilding StatsDrone as a cloud-based platform. The transition was a major shift, but ultimately, it set the company on a far more scalable trajectory. 

Funding the business entirely through bootstrapping added another layer of complexity, but it also gave Wright and his team full control. Revenue from affiliate marketing—specifically through a mix of B2B and consumer-focused affiliate sites—provided the financial foundation to keep going. “Bootstrapping forces you to stay close to your industry,” he says. “You’re not just burning investor cash—you’re relying on relationships, on actually understanding the market. It’s harder, but I think it makes you sharper.” That financial independence meant decisions weren’t dictated by short-term investor demands, allowing the team to focus on building a product that met real customer needs. 

The Power of Video Marketing 

Creating great software isn’t enough in the B2B SaaS world—getting it in front of the right audience is just as critical. Wright has experimented with nearly every sales and marketing strategy imaginable, but one tactic has consistently delivered results: video. 

His first real insight into video’s impact came when pitching investors. Instead of sending traditional slide decks, he recorded video presentations—and the response was overwhelmingly positive. That success led him to double down on video across the company’s marketing efforts, integrating it into content strategy, SEO, and even customer support. 

YouTube, in particular, has become an overlooked advantage. “Most of our competitors ignore it, which is crazy,” Wright says. “YouTube is one of the biggest search engines out there, and people are actively looking for solutions. If you understand what they’re searching for, you can put the right content in front of them.” By focusing on keyword research, he’s been able to create targeted videos that reach affiliates and potential customers more effectively than traditional blog content. He’s also noticed a higher conversion rate from video compared to written content, a trend that continues to shape StatsDrone’s marketing strategy. 

Beyond attracting new customers, video has also proven invaluable for retention. Instead of relying solely on written responses for customer support, Wright often records personalized videos to answer questions. “It’s just faster and clearer,” he explains. “People appreciate seeing an actual response instead of reading a long email.” 

Throughout the ups and downs of building StatsDrone, one lesson has remained constant—growth requires listening, even when the feedback isn’t easy to hear. Wright surrounds himself with fellow entrepreneurs who don’t sugarcoat their advice, knowing that honest criticism is often the fastest way to improve. “No one likes hearing what they’re doing wrong,” he admits. “But if you ignore it, you don’t get better.” 

The Investor Hunt: A Crash Course in Business Strategy 

Raising capital is more than just a financial transaction—it’s a test of a founder’s ability to sell a vision. For Wright, seeking outside investment marked a major shift from the self-sufficiency of bootstrapping. The process wasn’t just about securing funds; it pushed him to refine his pitch, sharpen his sales skills, and gain a deeper understanding of what investors prioritize beyond a solid product. 

“At first, it was a bit intimidating,” Wright admits. “But in a way, I’d been through something similar before.” Years earlier, he had successfully raised money for a university robotics club, securing enough funding to cover all necessary equipment. That early experience gave him a sense of what it takes to win over decision-makers, but pitching to investors operated on an entirely different level. Selling to customers is about solving a specific problem—investors, on the other hand, want to see the full picture. “It’s not just about what the product does today,” he explains. “They want to know about scalability, market potential, competitive advantages, and where we’re going in five or ten years.” 

Going through the process was like a crash course in business strategy. It exposed weak points, challenged assumptions, and forced Wright to frame StatsDrone’s value in ways that would resonate outside the affiliate marketing space. “It made me rethink certain aspects of growth,” he says. “Some of the toughest questions came from people who had zero experience in our industry. That was actually a good thing because it forced me to clarify why this company matters beyond just iGaming.” 

Despite the challenges, the effort has been worthwhile. Bootstrapping gave StatsDrone the freedom to build without external pressure, but bringing in investors could accelerate development in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. And for Wright, the biggest takeaway from the experience is one he believes applies to any founder—fundraising isn’t just about raising money. “Even if you don’t take the investment in the end, the process forces you to level up,” he says. “You come out of it with a sharper strategy, a clearer pitch, and a much stronger understanding of your own business.” 

The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Honest Feedback and Taking the Leap 

Success in business isn’t just about working hard—it’s about listening to the right people. Wright has learned that firsthand. In an industry full of conflicting advice, he believes one of the most valuable assets an entrepreneur can have is a network of people willing to be brutally honest. “You need people who will tell you when something isn’t working,” he says. “It’s not always fun to hear, but if you only surround yourself with people who tell you what you want to hear, you’re setting yourself up for failure.” 

Constructive criticism has played a major role in shaping StatsDrone. Every version of the product, every marketing strategy, and even the decision to pivot away from the original desktop model has been influenced by feedback—sometimes from customers, sometimes from other founders, and occasionally from investors who ultimately didn’t invest. Wright sees this as an advantage rather than a setback. “The smartest people I know don’t pretend to have all the answers,” he says. “They ask better questions, and they listen. That’s how you get better.” 

Beyond feedback, Wright believes in taking action. Overthinking every possible risk is a guaranteed way to stay stuck. “I’ve seen so many people with great ideas who never move forward because they’re waiting for the ‘right time,’” he says. “But the right time never shows up. You have to just start, figure things out as you go, and be willing to course-correct when needed.” He acknowledges that not every decision will be perfect, but in his experience, hesitation leads to far more regrets than failure ever does. 

Passion is another non-negotiable. Without it, setbacks feel impossible to overcome, and even the wins can feel empty. Wright doesn’t chase ideas just because they look profitable—if the excitement isn’t there, he keeps searching. “If you don’t actually care about what you’re building, you won’t last,” he says. “At some point, things will get hard. If you’re not passionate about it, you’ll quit.” For him, building StatsDrone has never just been about making money. It’s about solving a real problem, creating something valuable, and doing work that makes the challenges worth pushing through. 

Success Factors: Why Did StatsDrone Succeed? 

• Industry Expertise and Hands-On Experience: Wright didn’t just identify a problem—he lived it. His background in affiliate marketing, coupled with experience in SEO, conversion optimization, and UX design, gave him an insider’s understanding of the challenges affiliates face. This allowed him to build a product that directly addresses their needs, rather than creating software based on assumptions. 

• Willingness to Adapt and Pivot: The decision to launch as a desktop application made sense initially, but when performance issues became a roadblock, Wright didn’t cling to the original plan. Instead, he made the tough call to scrap the first version and rebuild StatsDrone as a cloud-based platform. This ability to pivot in response to real-world challenges was crucial to the company’s survival. 

• Bootstrapping and Financial Discipline: By self-funding StatsDrone using affiliate marketing revenue, Wright avoided the pressure of early-stage investors dictating the company’s direction. This financial independence gave him and his team the freedom to refine the product without being forced into premature scaling. 

• Embracing Constructive Criticism: Rather than seeking validation, Wright actively surrounds himself with people who challenge his ideas. Whether it’s customers, fellow entrepreneurs, or investors who chose not to fund the company, he views feedback as a tool for improvement rather than a personal attack. This openness has led to key refinements in both the product and business strategy. 

• Sales and Marketing Innovation: Recognizing that having a great product isn’t enough, Wright has leaned heavily into video marketing—an often-overlooked strategy in the B2B SaaS space. By leveraging YouTube as a search engine, creating engaging content, and even using personalized video responses for customer support, he has set StatsDrone apart in a crowded market. 

• Decisive Action Over Perfectionism: Many founders get stuck overanalyzing every possible risk, but Wright believes in execution over hesitation. He understands that waiting for the “perfect moment” often results in missed opportunities. His ability to make decisions, iterate quickly, and adjust along the way has been a driving force behind StatsDrone’s progress. 

•  Passion for Problem-Solving: For Wright, StatsDrone isn’t just a business—it’s a solution to a long-standing industry problem. His passion for efficiency and optimization keeps him engaged even when things get difficult. This intrinsic motivation ensures that setbacks don’t derail progress, making long-term success more achievable. 

• Fundraising as a Learning Process: Seeking investment wasn’t just about raising capital—it was a strategic move that forced Wright to sharpen his pitch, refine his vision, and think bigger. Even the investors who didn’t come on board provided valuable insights that helped shape the company’s direction. 

Key lessons to learn 

1. Industry Knowledge Is a Competitive Advantage: Wright didn’t enter the affiliate marketing space as an outsider—he had firsthand experience managing programs, optimizing websites, and understanding pain points. His deep industry knowledge allowed him to build a product that solved real problems rather than just assuming what customers needed. Entrepreneurs who immerse themselves in an industry before launching a product gain an edge over those who try to disrupt a space they don’t fully understand. 

2. Be Willing to Pivot When Necessary: StatsDrone’s first version—a desktop application—didn’t scale as expected, forcing Wright to scrap years of work and start over with a cloud-based solution. Many founders struggle to let go of their initial ideas, even when the market signals that change is needed. The ability to pivot, no matter how painful, can be the difference between success and failure. 

3. Bootstrapping Builds Stronger Foundations: By self-funding StatsDrone with revenue from affiliate marketing, Wright avoided the pressures of premature scaling or investor-driven decision-making. While external funding can accelerate growth, bootstrapping forces founders to build sustainable businesses from day one. It also ensures that every dollar is spent wisely, a discipline that pays off even when funding eventually comes into play. 

4. Constructive Criticism Fuels Growth: Surrounding yourself with people who will challenge your ideas—rather than just offering praise—is crucial. Wright actively sought out feedback, whether from customers, investors, or other entrepreneurs, and used it to refine both his product and business strategy. Founders who ignore criticism risk missing the insights that could make their companies stronger. 

5. Marketing Matters as Much as the Product: Having a great product isn’t enough—it has to reach the right people. Wright’s use of video marketing, particularly on YouTube, gave StatsDrone an advantage in a space where competitors overlooked the platform. Entrepreneurs who think creatively about distribution can find untapped channels that give them an edge over competitors relying on traditional tactics. 

6. Execution Beats Perfectionism: Waiting for the “perfect” moment or obsessing over every detail can prevent real progress. Wright believes in taking action, testing ideas in the market, and iterating based on feedback. Many founders fail because they hesitate too long, rather than launching something imperfect and improving it over time. 

7. Passion Drives Long-Term Success: Without genuine passion for solving a problem, it’s easy to burn out when challenges arise. Wright’s motivation wasn’t just financial—he was deeply invested in creating a tool that made affiliate marketers’ lives easier. Founders who chase opportunities purely for profit often struggle when faced with setbacks, while those who truly care about their work are more likely to push through obstacles. 

8. Raising Capital Is About More Than Money: For Wright, the fundraising process wasn’t just about securing investment—it was an opportunity to refine StatsDrone’s vision, strategy, and market positioning. Even entrepreneurs who choose not to raise funds can benefit from the discipline that comes with pitching, as it forces them to clarify their business model, growth potential, and competitive advantage. 

9. Customer-Centric Development Wins: StatsDrone’s evolution was shaped by real user feedback, rather than being built in isolation. Wright’s approach—listening to customers, iterating on their input, and constantly refining the product—ensured that StatsDrone remained relevant and valuable. Businesses that prioritize customer needs over internal assumptions are far more likely to succeed. 

10. Success Is a Continuous Process: Wright’s journey with StatsDrone wasn’t a straight line—it involved failed attempts, tough decisions, and constant learning. His story reinforces the idea that entrepreneurship isn’t about a single breakthrough moment but rather a series of adjustments, failures, and improvements. Those who embrace this mindset are more resilient and better positioned for long-term success. 

Opportunity Matrix 

Founder Background 

Wright has a background in mechanical engineering, specializing in robotics and AI. His entry into the iGaming industry started with card counting in online casinos, leading to hands-on experience in affiliate marketing, SEO, UX design, and conversion rate optimization. 

Problem Identification 

Managing multiple affiliate programs was inefficient, requiring users to track performance manually across different dashboards. Existing solutions were either incomplete, slow, or lacked the necessary integrations. 

Market Opportunity 

The iGaming affiliate market is worth billions, with thousands of affiliates needing better data tracking and reporting tools. Beyond iGaming, the broader affiliate marketing industry presents further expansion opportunities. 

Competitive Landscape 

Few companies have successfully built a comprehensive affiliate stats aggregator. Some larger SaaS providers offer partial solutions, but many struggle with data accuracy, usability, and real-time reporting. 

Market Research 

Wright identified pain points through direct experience, consulting work, and conversations with industry peers. Customer feedback played a key role in shaping product features and development priorities. 

Business Model 

Subscription-based SaaS model with monthly recurring revenue (MRR). The software provides an affiliate stats aggregator that automates reporting, saving time and improving decision-making for users. 

Initial Capital 

Fully bootstrapped using revenue from affiliate marketing. No external funding was involved in the early stages, allowing for complete control over product direction. 

Product/Service Development 

Initially launched as a desktop application to address customer concerns about cloud security, but performance limitations led to a full transition to a cloud-based platform. A major redesign is in progress to enhance the user experience. 

Marketing Strategy 

Heavy focus on video marketing, particularly on YouTube, to reach affiliates actively searching for solutions. Other strategies include content marketing, SEO, and personalized video-based customer support. 

Milestones 

• Bootstrapped to nearly $20,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) 

• Transitioned from a desktop app to a scalable cloud-based platform 

• Secured a growing customer base with strong retention 

• Launched an investment round to accelerate growth 

Scalability 

The cloud-based SaaS model allows for scaling across industries beyond iGaming. Additional integrations and automation features will increase adoption among affiliate marketers in other sectors. 

Potential Risks and Challenges 

• Competition from larger SaaS companies entering the space 

• Maintaining data accuracy and integration reliability 

• Balancing growth with customer satisfaction during scaling 

• Adapting to regulatory changes in affiliate marketing and iGaming 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

• Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) 

• Customer acquisition cost (CAC) vs. lifetime value (LTV) 

• Churn rate 

• Conversion rates from video marketing efforts 

• Customer retention and engagement metrics