SaaSpocalypse Cancelled, Palantir’s $17M Jet Bill, WBD x Netflix Latest | Dylan Field, Saagar Enjeti, Sigil Wen, Peter Morales, Erik Palitsch, Ljubisa Bajic - TBPN Recap

Podcast: TBPN

Published: 2026-02-19

Duration: 3 hr 27 min

Guests: Sigil Wen, Dylan Field

Summary

The SaaSpocalypse, a downturn in the software as a service market, is over as companies increasingly integrate AI into their operations. High-profile corporate developments such as Palantir's staggering $17 million annual jet bill and a heated bidding war between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Brothers were also discussed.

What Happened

The episode opens with a discussion on the end of the SaaSpocalypse, a downturn in the SaaS market that took place from January to February 2026. Companies that integrated AI technology managed to survive and grow, while those that did not struggled. Google used DeepMind's research to maintain its market position, and Meta improved ad targeting through its transformer-based gem model.

Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, incurred $17 million in executive aircraft expenses in 2025. This figure is compared to other major tech CEOs, with Meta's CEO spending $1.8 million and Palo Alto Networks' CEO spending $2.4 million. The high costs highlight the luxurious expenditures of tech executives.

In a significant corporate acquisition, eBay is set to buy Depop from Etsy for $1.2 billion. This move is expected to expand eBay's market share, particularly as Depop is more popular as an app than a website, contrasting with traditional eBay usage.

Dylan Field from Figma reported impressive growth, with a 40% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $1.046 billion in 2025. Figma launched four new products, including Figma Make, an AI-powered prototyping tool, with 60% of its users being non-designers.

Sigil Wen discussed his vision for Web 4.0, where AI acts as the end user, autonomously performing tasks and handling payments. This concept involves developing self-sufficient AI models that can edit their own code and sustain operations financially.

The episode also touched on societal impacts of technology, with Saagar Enjeti speaking about the challenges parents face with children's screen time and the potential need for government regulation. This reflects growing concerns over technology's influence on youth development.

Peter Morales from Code Metal announced a $125 million Series B funding round and highlighted the company's mission to optimize code for edge devices. Erik Palitsch from Freeform shared their focus on advanced laser melting platforms, underlining the importance of flexible manufacturing in the current geopolitical climate.

Key Insights

• The SaaSpocalypse of 2026 taught a harsh lesson: integrating AI was the lifeline for SaaS companies, as seen with Google's use of DeepMind to maintain its market stance, while those without AI struggled to survive.
• Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, spent a staggering $17 million on executive aircraft in 2025, dwarfing Meta's $1.8 million and Palo Alto Networks' $2.4 million. This disparity raises questions about the scale of luxury spending justified at the top of tech firms.
• eBay's $1.2 billion acquisition of Depop from Etsy is a strategic move to capture the mobile app space, diverging from eBay's traditional website-centric approach that could redefine its market positioning.
• Web 4.0 envisions AI as the end user, autonomously managing tasks and financial transactions. Sigil Wen's idea involves self-sufficient AI models editing their own code, a concept that could redefine digital autonomy.

Key Questions Answered

What is the SaaSpocalypse and how did companies survive?

The SaaSpocalypse refers to a downturn in the SaaS market between January and February 2026. Companies integrating AI technologies, such as Google's use of DeepMind research and Meta's improved ad targeting, managed to survive and grow despite the downturn.

Why is Palantir's jet bill significant?

Palantir's CEO Alex Karp incurred $17 million in executive aircraft expenses in 2025, a figure that stands out when compared to the spending of other tech CEOs, highlighting the extravagant spending habits of tech executives.

What are the key developments in Figma's growth?

Figma experienced a 40% year-over-year revenue growth in 2025, reaching $1.046 billion. The company launched four new products, including Figma Make, an AI-powered prototyping tool, with a significant portion of its users being non-designers.