February is Black History Month. While cultural and historical figures like MLK take the spotlight, there are some exciting developments in the Black-owned SaaS space.

The technology industry is a dynamic landscape where Black entrepreneurs are launching innovative software companies that reshape entire sectors. These businesses are not only developing cutting-edge solutions but also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem. Their growth is a testament to their ingenuity and the increasing recognition of the value they bring to a software market projected to exceed $700 billion in 2024.

Squire, co-founded by Songe LaRon and Dave Salvant, is a premier "business-in-a-box" SaaS platform specifically designed for the barbershop industry. Their software streamlines every aspect of shop operations, including point-of-sale (POS), appointment scheduling, payroll, and inventory management. By focusing on a specific vertical, Squire has achieved remarkable efficiency; as of early 2025, the company has processed over $2 billion in payments and serves more than 20,000 shops. With its latest funding rounds valuing the company at more than $750 million, Squire demonstrates how specialized SaaS solutions can dominate niche markets by solving the unique pain points of small business owners.

Esusu, founded by Wemimo Abbey and Samir Goel, is a fintech SaaS platform that helps renters build credit by reporting on-time rent payments to major credit bureaus. Their innovation bridges the gap between traditional banking and the millions of Americans who are "credit invisible." In late 2025, Esusu raised a Series C at a $1.2 billion valuation, partnering with 65% of the largest real estate owners in the U.S. Their platform currently covers over 5 million rental units, effectively using software to drive social and economic mobility for approximately 12 million people.

Calendly, founded by Nigerian-American entrepreneur Tope Awotona, has become a global standard for scheduling automation. The platform’s innovation lies in its intuitive user interface and deep integration with calendar systems and CRM platforms. By utilizing a "freemium" model, Calendly captured a dominant 53% market share in the U.S. scheduling space and achieved a valuation of $3 billion. With estimated annual recurring revenue (ARR) exceeding $300 million, the company continues to scale by expanding its enterprise features, proving that a simple solution to a universal problem can create a massive SaaS powerhouse.

Paystack (acquired by Stripe) is a Nigerian-based fintech leader that provides payment infrastructure for businesses across Africa. Co-founders Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi developed a robust, developer-friendly API that addresses the specific challenges of the African financial landscape. Their innovation enabled thousands of businesses to accept online payments securely, leading to an acquisition by Stripe for over $200 million. This success story remains a landmark in the African digital economy, where Paystack continues to process more than half of all online transactions in Nigeria.

CareMerge, founded by Nancy Nwankwo, is a healthcare SaaS company that provides communication and care coordination solutions for senior living communities. Their platform integrates activity scheduling, family engagement, and health monitoring into a single interface, solving the chronic "silo" problem in elderly care. By focusing on user-friendly designs for both staff and families, CareMerge addresses the increasing digital transformation needs of the elder care sector. As the global population ages, CareMerge’s focused approach remains a vital component of the modern healthcare ecosystem.

PopCom, founded by Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene, is a leader in the automated retail space, developing SaaS-driven "smart" vending machines. Their software provides a comprehensive backend that gives retailers real-time inventory tracking, sales data, and advanced customer analytics. PopCom’s innovation turns traditional vending into a data-rich retail experience, allowing brands to sell directly to consumers in high-traffic areas without storefront overhead. With the global smart vending market growing rapidly, PopCom is at the forefront of a retail technology sector evolving toward full automation.

Leda Health, co-founded by Madison Campbell, is a mission-driven healthcare technology company focused on transforming the response to sexual assault. Their software platform provides virtual care, connecting survivors with resources, support, and forensic testing kits in a trauma-informed and private manner. By leveraging telehealth, Leda Health streamlines complex legal and medical processes that are often overwhelming for survivors. Their approach addresses a critical social issue within the growing digital healthcare sector, proving that software can be a powerful tool for social impact and empathetic care.

It will be exciting to see how Black-Owned businesses flourish in the global tech market. While some solutions cater to unique community fixtures (e.g., CRM for the barbershop), others have broader applications. This reflects the macrocosmic scope of SaaS, which provides both local and global solutions.

What about you? Are you interested in making a switch from a larger company to a startup? Or switching from a startup or niche product to a larger company? With nearly four decades as a software sales recruiter, I have a large network of pre-vetted talent and hiring managers. Whether you're a job seeker or hiring to expand your team, let's connect. Send a resume to mike@michaelblair.com before we get too far into 2026!