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Startup Scaling · July 16, 2026

Build vs buy vs dedicated capacity

A decision frame for CTOs: when to buy SaaS, when to build, and when a Squad is the third path.

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Build vs buy is incomplete. Many roadmap items are “build with temporary capacity.” ## Frame - **Buy** when the problem is generic and switching costs are low - **Build** when the workflow is your moat - **Dedicated capacity** when you must build but cannot hire fast enough without quality loss Dedicated is not outsourcing the company — it is renting a squad that works in your repo under your TL standards. Map each initiative through this frame before you open three vendor conversations at once. --- **Ready to put this into practice?** [Send a brief](/contact) — we’ll map Starter, Squad, ODC, or an Agent product sprint to your next 90 days.

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