The “Cloud” Tax | Info Session

A practical look at how startups can avoid skyrocketing cloud costs by rethinking their data storage strategy and long-term spending.

Join us for a Lunch & Learn with Josh Harris, Enterprise Account Executive at 45 Drives, as he unpacks the hidden costs of scaling in the cloud. While many startups begin on “free” or low-cost cloud tiers, rapid growth often brings unexpected expenses—especially in the form of recurring fees and data egress charges, commonly known as the “cloud tax.”

This session will help founders and operators better understand the trade-offs between renting and owning their data infrastructure. Josh will explore the “buy vs. rent” model of storage, breaking down how shifting from an OpEx (operational expense) approach to a CapEx (capital investment) strategy can help stabilize long-term burn rates and improve financial predictability.

Whether you’re scaling or planning ahead, this talk will provide practical insights to help you make smarter infrastructure decisions and keep costs under control.