Build vs. Buy in an AI-First World—with Yvonne Lau (HR Verticals Inc.)
About the episode
If enterprises already have massive SaaS platforms, why would they build custom tools instead?
In this episode of Futureproof, Prakash Chandran sits down with Yvonne Lau, CEO of HR Verticals Inc., to explore the real tradeoffs of build vs. buy in technology—and what changes when AI and low-code tools enter the picture. Yvonne shares her journey from corporate HR practitioner to founder, tracing a career spent implementing global HR systems at scale before deciding to build her own. Together, they unpack why enterprise SaaS feels bloated for many organizations, how rapid prototyping with no-code and AI wins over skeptical buyers, and what it takes to sell custom-built software into compliance-heavy environments. They also discuss the shifting identity of non-technical founders, the importance of staying hands-on, and why the next generation of HR professionals may simply build the tools they wish they had.
Topics covered include:
- The SaaS bloat problem: Why enterprises pay for full suites but use only a fraction of the features—and how modular, custom-built tools offer a better fit.
- Rapid prototyping to win trust: How shipping an MVP in days using no-code and AI helps enterprise clients visualize what's possible and move past the subscription-only mindset.
- Compliance and IT collaboration: Why founders must bring IT into the conversation early, stay current on regulations, and anticipate security concerns—especially when AI is involved.
- AI as force multiplier: How Yvonne uses AI across operations and development to automate admin work, accelerate learning, and shorten build cycles.
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Chapters
00:00
Meet Yvonne Lau
Prakash introduces Yvonne's background spanning corporate HR, no-code, and AI-assisted development—and why her builder journey is worth studying.
02:40
A Career Built on HR Systems
Yvonne traces her path from startups to implementing global HR platforms and learning the limits of enterprise software firsthand.
07:00
The Problem That Started HR Verticals
She explains how the push for better employee data—engagement surveys, lifecycle metrics, and retention insights—became the founding thesis for her company.
10:10
Consulting First, Technology Second
Yvonne describes her approach of understanding client processes before building, and why customization beats rigid SaaS defaults.
13:18
SaaS Bloat and the Build vs. Buy Shift
A discussion on why organizations overpay for features they never use, and how modular custom tools connected to a single source of truth offer a leaner alternative.
17:50
Rapid Prototyping Wins Clients
How building front-end MVPs in hours with no-code tools creates light-bulb moments for enterprise buyers who have never seen an alternative to the subscription model.
20:26
Navigating Enterprise Compliance
Why IT must be at the table from day one, and how founders need to stay educated on data privacy, labor law, and the risks of AI in HR.
23:08
Teams, Tools, and Growing as a Builder
Yvonne explains why the best collaborators combine software engineering backgrounds with low-code and AI fluency—and how platforms like Xano accelerated her own technical growth.
27:18
AI Across Operations and Development
A practical look at how she uses AI to automate admin tasks, coach international hires, speed up front-end builds, and deepen her understanding of code.
31:00
Staying Hands-On and Women in Tech
Why she refuses to fully step away from the build process, and her advice for female founders navigating a space that still defaults to male technical co-founders.
35:00
The Future of Monolithic SaaS
Yvonne predicts that large platforms will persist but lose ground as younger HR professionals vibe-code their own solutions—and smaller tools become replaceable.
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