On this episode of the Startup Show, host John Biggs interviewed Peter “Fish” Fishman, CEO and co-founder of Mozart Data. Fishman, who adopted the moniker “Fish” to distinguish himself from the many Peters in Silicon Valley, discussed the innovative approach of Mozart Data in providing data infrastructure as a service. Co-founded with his friend Dan Silberman at the onset of the pandemic, Mozart Data aims to simplify and enhance how small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) handle their data.
Mozart Data helps companies transfer data from various sources — like SaaS tools, databases, and CSV files — into a centralized data warehouse. From there, it provides tools to clean and transform the data, allowing businesses to gain valuable insights without the need for extensive data engineering resources. Fishman explained that their service essentially offers “Fish as a service,” a streamlined version of the data management tasks he and Silberman had been performing manually at various companies for over a decade.
Building Mozart Data was a response to the repetitive challenges Fishman faced in his career, where he frequently had to create data infrastructure from scratch for different companies. By productizing these processes, Mozart Data offers a solution that allows SMBs to leverage sophisticated data insights without waiting for internal engineering resources. This approach has resonated with the market, as evidenced by their growing customer base, which includes over a hundred paying customers and a thousand users on their free plan.
When asked about the journey from a repetitive job to a productized service, Fishman emphasized the importance of understanding the market’s appetite for such a service. He noted that while it might seem like a straightforward transition, there are numerous challenges, especially for technical founders, in communicating the value of their product. However, the success of their customers and the tangible value they derive from using Mozart Data validates the company’s approach and mission.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, he stressed the importance of developing a deep expertise in a particular field, ideally one that you are passionate about. This expertise often stems from personal interests and hobbies, which can provide a solid foundation for professional endeavors. Fishman also highlighted the significance of having a strong conviction in your approach to solving a problem, which can eventually lead to entrepreneurial opportunities.
For Fishman, the initial leap of faith was made easier by the uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19, which pushed him and Silberman to commit fully to their startup. Despite the physical separation (Fishman in San Francisco and Silberman in Oakland), they adapted to remote work effectively, laying the groundwork for a remote-first company. The post-pandemic funding environment also provided ample opportunities for innovative ideas, particularly those centered around new ways of working.
Looking ahead, Fishman is focused on continuing to grow Mozart Data by adding more customers and expanding their annual recurring revenue (ARR). He emphasized the importance of delivering fast value to customers and hinted at leveraging artificial intelligence to make data analysis more accessible to a broader audience. While an exit strategy isn’t a primary focus, Fishman remains committed to enhancing the capabilities of Mozart Data and providing best-in-class solutions for their users.
