When a product gets acquired - whether it’s Skype, LinkedIn, Slack, or any other once-beloved tool - it often undergoes a transformation.

Unfortunately, this transformation usually involves piling on new features and integrations, leading to a product that’s far removed from the simple, focused tool that users originally fell in love with.

The result? A bloated app that tries to do too much, frustrating its users and creating an opening for new competitors.

The problem with acquisitions

When a big company acquires a successful product, its first instinct is to integrate it into its broader ecosystem. They want to make it fit into their suite of tools, which often means adding new features, expanding its scope, and making it more complex. While this might seem like a good idea from a business perspective, it often leads to an app that’s slow, cluttered, and hard to use.

Skype, for instance. It started as a straightforward tool for video calls and messaging. But after being acquired by Microsoft, it became a different beast altogether - loaded with features that most users didn’t need, like integration with Office products, complex settings, and unnecessary extras. The result? A product that once dominated the market began to lose its appeal, with many users jumping ship to simpler alternatives such as Zoom.

The same story can be told with LinkedIn and Slack. What began as focused, efficient tools for networking and team communication turned into sprawling platforms trying to be everything for everyone. In the process, they lost the clarity and ease of use that made them so popular in the first place.

Why this is the perfect time for new competitors

For early-stage founders, this trend presents a huge opportunity. As these once-great apps become overcomplicated, there’s a growing demand for new, simplified alternatives. Users are looking for tools that cut through the noise and get back to basics—doing one thing really well, without the clutter of unnecessary features.

If you’re a startup founder, now is the time to step in. Look at what these overcomplicated apps originally solved, strip away the excess, and build a new version that focuses on the core problem. By offering a streamlined, user-friendly alternative, you can attract the very users who are fed up with the bloat and complexity of the big players.

This isn’t just a theory—it’s a cycle we’ve seen time and again in the tech world. A new, simple tool comes along, gains a following, and eventually gets acquired by a bigger company. The product becomes bloated, and users start looking for a simpler solution. That’s where you come in.

How to build the next great simplified tool

1. Identify the core problem: Start by understanding the original problem that the big apps were created to solve. What was it about Skype, LinkedIn, or Slack that made them so popular in the first place? Focus on that core functionality, and don’t get distracted by all the extra features that have been tacked on over the years.
2. Keep it simple: The key to success is simplicity. Don’t try to do everything—just do one thing really well. Users are looking for tools that are easy to use and don’t require a lot of setup or learning. The more straightforward your product, the more likely it is to attract users who are tired of dealing with complex, bloated apps.
3. Listen to user feedback: One of the biggest mistakes big companies make is ignoring their users. When you’re building your product, make sure you’re constantly listening to what your users are saying. What do they like? What don’t they like? Use this feedback to keep your product focused and user-friendly.
4. Avoid feature creep: As your product grows, you’ll be tempted to add more features to appeal to a broader audience. Resist this temptation. Stay focused on your core functionality, and only add new features if they genuinely improve the user experience without adding unnecessary complexity.
5. Prepare for the next cycle: If your product is successful, it might one day face the same challenges that the current big players are dealing with. Be mindful of this from the start, and think about how you can maintain simplicity even as you scale. This will help you avoid the pitfalls that have tripped up so many others.

Seize the moment

The tech is full of opportunities for those who can see them. Right now, there’s a clear opportunity to create the next generation of simplified tools that users are craving. By focusing on simplicity, solving a specific problem, and avoiding the mistakes that have plagued acquired products, you can build a product that stands out in a crowded market.

So if you’re an early-stage founder, don’t let this moment pass you by. The cycle of overcomplication will continue, but that just means there will always be room for the next great simplified competitor. Seize the opportunity, build something users love, and you might just be the one to start the cycle all over again.