Databases can transform businesses with sophisticated data management capabilities and analysis. But they’re often intimidating for entrepreneurs and non-profits that don’t have large teams to set up and manage the technology. These organizations are often left with cloud-based spreadsheets, which are inexpensive and easy to use, but lack advanced functionality and scalability.

Berlin-based entrepreneur Monica Sarbu aimed to solve this problem. As a co-founder of startup Xata, with employees across Europe and the US, she’s led the development of a software as a service (SaaS) database using Amazon Web Services (AWS) that’s powerful and as simple to use as a spreadsheet. This means that almost any organization can manage complex data easily while staying focused on its core goals and competencies. Xata’s early customers range from startups solving real-world problems to purpose-driven non-profits, including those working to increase diversity in the technology industry. The company, which itself has an all-women board, is now valued at around $150–200 million.

Xata believes that simplifying how people work with data lowers the barrier to entry for innovation. “With Xata, more people from more backgrounds can build software backed by a serverless database that is easy to maintain and scale,” says Tudor Golubenco, chief technology officer at Xata. “We believe technology should be an enabler, not a barrier.”

Offering Powerful Database Functionality Built on AWS

 

With a recent global launch after extensive beta testing, Xata knew that a fast time to market was essential. The company found it quick and easy to include powerful features that online spreadsheets lack. 

 

Xata’s database uses AWS services to provide built-in search engine and analytics features, so developers can build tailored search experiences and analytical dashboards for their customers with minimal effort. The company built its solution on Amazon Aurora, a relational database management system designed for the cloud that delivers commercial-grade performance and availability. In addition, the company uses Amazon DynamoDB to give its database single-digit-millisecond performance at any scale. 

 

Xata also offers automatic scaling, migrations with zero downtime, regular backups, and performance monitoring. “Using AWS has significantly reduced our development time compared to starting from scratch or basing our product on an open-source project,” says Golubenco. “Using AWS services reduced our time to market by 70 percent compared to what it would take using basic hosting services and open-source tooling.” 

 

For customers with experience using commercial or open-source databases, the Xata workflow is familiar, so they can quickly get to work with the cloud-based solution too.

Meeting Development Goals Fast and Supporting Global Customers

 

To take its first steps in the cloud, Xata used AWS Activate, which offers startups free tools and services to help them get started quickly on AWS. “We’re impressed with our AWS team,” says Golubenco. “They give us advice on both business strategy and on architecture to help us build the product. AWS has helped us to make smarter decisions.” 

 

The company is working to grow its developer community—and raise its profile among potential customers—through attending AWS events, such as the AWS Summit. 

 

Xata hopes its database solution will empower more people to innovate and be more ambitious with data-driven projects for their organizations. Using AWS supports its own ambitions to help businesses grow. “Working with our customers and using AWS, we feel we’re prepared to accomplish our goal of providing a true ‘serverless database of your dreams,’” says Golubenco.