Runway Intelligence is OpenMetal’s executive insight series for late-stage startups and their investors, exploring how cloud economics, infrastructure design, and operational strategy shape valuation, margins, and time to exit.  At

AI-first SaaS companies are reporting 52% gross margins, more than 20 points below the 75-85% range that built the SaaS valuation premium. The cause isn’t just market pressure. It’s an infrastructure decision being made by default.