In recent years, there was an explosion of excitement around consumerization of enterprise software. This means that more and more startups are developing software that is designed for the enterprise market but with a user experience that is similar to consumer software. Investors we spoke to are confident that in 2023 and beyond, as more companies look for ways to improve the productivity and efficiency of their employees and that this trend was not a flash in the pan.

One of the driving forces behind this trend is the increasing need for software that is easy to use and intuitive. As the number of digital tools in the workplace continues to grow, it's becoming increasingly important for companies to find ways to simplify the user experience. This is where consumerization comes in: by making software that is designed for the enterprise market more like the software that people use in their personal lives, startups are making it easier for employees to adopt and use the tools they need to be productive.

Another key factor driving the trend is the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, which means that more startups are using them to create software that is tailored to the specific needs of different industries. As a result, more and more businesses are finding that they can benefit from using software that is designed to automate repetitive tasks and make better use of data.

One of the investors in this trend is Siri Srinivas, a Principal at San Mateo-based Draper Associates. With a background in engineering and journalism, and a wealth of experience in venture capital, Srinivas has a deep understanding of the challenges facing enterprise software startups. She has a keen eye for identifying companies that have what it takes to succeed in this increasingly competitive market. Srinivas believes that startups that are able to create software that is easy to use and intuitive, while also leveraging the latest technologies such as AI and ML, will be well-positioned to take advantage of this trend in the coming years.

Examples of companies in this space are "Slack" which offers a team messaging app for businesses that makes communication and collaboration more efficient and "Zoom" a teleconferencing platform that is easy to use and has been widely adopted in various industries. Companies like Asana, Intercom and Front are other frontrunners in enterprise companies of the last decade that have pushed the same ideas forward.

Overall, the trend towards the consumerization of enterprise software is expected to continue in 2023 and beyond. Businesses are increasingly looking for software that is easy to use and intuitive, while also leveraging the latest technologies such as AI and ML. Startups that are able to create software that meets these needs will be well-positioned to take advantage of this trend and to help businesses improve the productivity and efficiency of their employees.