The tool product managers love and is disrupting Jira | Karri Saarinen, CEO at Linear | E234

Linear CEO Karri Saarinen builds high-performance project management software by prioritizing the end-user experience over traditional buyer-centric feature sets. By leveraging a design-first philosophy, the company creates tools that resonate with engineers and designers, driving organic adoption through individual contributors before engaging management for enterprise-wide implementation. This product-led growth strategy relies on high-quality, intuitive interfaces that solve real-world coordination problems rather than simply checking boxes for management. Unlike competitors that prioritize rapid, feature-heavy expansion, Linear maintains a lean team and a pragmatic, six-month roadmap. This approach extends to artificial intelligence, where the focus remains on enhancing existing workflows rather than integrating superficial AI features. By maintaining high standards and avoiding the trap of over-hiring, the company ensures that its product remains a beloved, essential tool for software teams globally.