Podcasts about Saas

We all try to be prepared for setbacks, but are you prepared for success? Lifelong tech entrepreneur Mike Vertolli, Founder of ComTec Systems shares critical advice for aspiring business owners.  He recently appeared on TechVibe Radio to tell us how he founded his first company in high school and how ComTec helps businesses find savings in their energy and telecommunications spends. We pulled some key highlights from his TechVibe interview to share with our time-crunched listeners. Hit play and learn how Mike emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, maintaining proper documentation to facilitate strategic pivots, and being financially prepared for both growth and setbacks. He also offers valuable wisdom on envisioning success and ensuring the right people, processes, and systems are in place. Additionally, Mike recounts an impactful piece of investment advice which taught him to reassess decisions daily, providing a fresh perspective on managing life's uncertainties. Hit PLAY for the good stuff and if you have a few more minutes, listen to his entire interview. Let's get started! The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces this podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #28 of season 5, Anna Nadeina talks with Mustafa, CEO & founder at adtron.io, a digital advertising platform and software solution that helps brands, agencies, and publishers create, manage, and optimize mobile ads. --------------Episode's Chapters---------------- 00:00 - Founding bam! interactive marketing 05:15 - Transition to Product-Based Company 08:54 - Customer Profiles and Onboarding 16:59 - Sales Strategies and Market Expansion 24:18 - Expanding Market Reach 25:34 - Technical Challenges in Asia 26:52 - Global Expansion Strategy 28:48 - Integrating AI into Core Functionality 37:32 - Balancing Privacy and Analytics 40:50 - Biggest Wins and Learnings Mustafa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mustafa-mussa-bam-mobile-marketing-online-display-advertising/ Adtron - https://www.adtron.io/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796

In this episode, we're joined by Tina Kung, Co-Founder and CTO of Nue.io, a rising CPQ & Billing platform redefining the quote-to-cash experience for modern SaaS businesses. With a career spanning Ariba, Oracle, Zuora, Salesforce, CA Technologies, and more, Tina brings over two decades of experience building and evolving four generations of CPQ and Billing systems.

Découvrez les coulisses de la financiarisation de l'expertise comptable avec le groupe Archipel !Dans ce nouvel épisode, Alexis Slama reçoit Matthieu Luneau, ancien avocat en fusion-acquisition et entrepreneur, co-fondateur du groupe Archipel.Matthieu analyse les trois défis majeurs de la profession : générationnel (50% des experts-comptables ont plus de 50 ans), technologique (facturation électronique, IA, automatisation) et économique (pénurie de talents, pouvoir des éditeurs). Son approche preserve l'indépendance des cabinets tout en offrant une plateforme de services mutualisés pour maximiser la création de valeur.⬇️ Au menu de cet épisode :Les 3 défis majeurs de l'expertise comptable moderneModèle de consolidation préservant l'indépendance des cabinetsGouvernance et structure juridique innovante d'ArchipelStratégie de réinvestissement et objectif x4 sur 5 ansServices mutualisés : recrutement, RH, tech, finance, commercialVision de la diversification vers le conseil financier 360°Gestion des talents et rétention des équipesCroissance externe agressive : 30M€ de CA minimum par anRessources mentionnées :Groupe Archipel - Premier groupe français de consolidation de cabinets d'expertise comptable, Otium - Family office français investisseur (50M€), Cabinet Rey - Premier cabinet acquis (80 ans d'histoire, 6M€ CA), Hadrena - Projet de consolidation d'Otium dans les loisirs (250M€ CA), AZ Group (UK) - Valorisation 14x EBITDA après 90 acquisitions, Livre "Dream Team" de Ludovic Giraudon - Management et développement d'équipes

Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people.  Charlie Songhurst is a brilliant strategist, accomplished executive, and prolific angel investor. This episode is one of my all-time favorite conversations, not just on the podcast, but period. Please enjoy this timeless discussion with Charlie Songhurst. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page ⁠here⁠. ----- This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠WorkOS⁠⁠. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit ⁠⁠WorkOS.com⁠⁠ to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit ⁠joincolossus.com/episodes⁠.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up ⁠here⁠. Follow us on Twitter: ⁠@patrick_oshag⁠ | ⁠@JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:01:25) Stack ranking the vices of power, money, and fame (00:02:41) Memorable response to the stack ranking question (00:03:13) Best scenario to explore this stack ranking concept (00:03:55) Other ways to rank founders (00:04:44) Quick look at this career (00:05:16) Time at Microsoft (00:06:03) Features he looks for in startups (00:10:55) Managing the declining curve of productivity (00:14:55) Why founders are often unique people (00:14:57) ⁠Jeff Gramm Podcast Episode⁠ (00:15:04) ⁠ Aliens, Jedi & Cults⁠ (00:09:43) How early entrepreneurs need to make recruitment a serious part of their work (00:23:06) How successful founders win the best candidates (00:25:27) The East Coast vs. West Coast investment strategies (00:30:40) When it's time to bring in quantitative factors into early stage investing (00:34:36) The markers that pop up in companies that hit (00:37:22) Boring but successful investments (00:39:28) Investor aesthetics (00:41:29) Characteristics of investors that he believes are important to success (00:42:57) Impacts of Covid and some of the permanent changes that have happened as a result (00:47:49) Investing opportunities in the local community (00:49:13) His take on cryptocurrencies (00:53:47) Most misvalued asset in the world (00:55:16) Investing opportunities in Europe (00:57:34) Make up of his 483 investments (00:57:58) ⁠Matt Clifford Podcast Episode⁠ (00:59:17) Curation as a skill (01:01:54) Timing and startup success (01:05:11) Kindest thing anyone has done for him

Braydan Young is the Co-founder and CEO of SlashExperts, a leading peer-conversation platform that helps B2B companies accelerate revenue by connecting prospective buyers with real customers. Under his leadership, SlashExperts announced $2M in seed funding in April 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company. Braydan has a background in entrepreneurship, having previously co-founded Sendoso, a successful company that is a leading sending platform simplifying direct mail, gifting, and corporate gifting processes for businesses. Beyond his ventures, he serves as a mentor at ChicoSTART, offering guidance to emerging entrepreneurs. In this episode… Launching a startup is never easy, but scaling one introduces an entirely new set of challenges. Founders often struggle to balance rapid growth with operational complexity, investor expectations, and the pressure to remain profitable. How do entrepreneurs navigate these competing demands while staying true to their vision? Braydan Young turned a simple idea, sending Starbucks gift cards via email, into a fast-growing business by staying attuned to customer needs and market shifts. As demand expanded, he evolved the offering from basic digital gifting to full-scale warehousing and fulfillment, ultimately co-founding Sendoso and raising over $100 million in venture funding, including a $100M Series C. When market conditions changed, Braydan faced tough decisions, including multiple rounds of layoffs, which taught him the importance of transparent leadership and leading with empathy during difficult moments. These experiences shaped his approach to building more resilient companies. He emphasizes the value of listening to customers, staying flexible, and learning from setbacks to drive long-term success. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Braydan Young, Co-founder of SlashExperts, about startup growth, resilience, and innovation. Braydan discusses hypergrowth during COVID-19, the complexities of warehousing, lessons from fundraising, his new SaaS peer-to-peer model, and strategies for lean startup operations.

This week on Cloud Unplugged: AI goes local, Google Cloud breaks the internet, and the DOJ turns up the heat on Google's $32B Wiz acquisition.We're breaking down the biggest stories in cloud and AI:Context & Qualcomm are teaming up to move AI agents off the cloud and onto your device. What does this mean for the future of local-first AI?A major Google Cloud outage caused chaos across Cloudflare, Shopify, and Discord. We explain what went wrong and what it tells us about the risks of centralised cloud infrastructure.The DOJ is investigating Google's acquisition of Wiz, raising questions about cloud security competition and antitrust concerns.Plus: Andrej Karpathy's Software 3.0 vision, is natural language the new programming interface?Hosted by Lewis and Jon, two cloud-native veterans covering the real stories behind the hype in cloud, AI, and dev infrastructure.

Join hosts Ben and Mark on 'The Friday Habit' as they welcome Chris Ronzio, founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS platform for small business training and onboarding. They delve into discussions about organizational charts, systems, and processes essential for business scalability. Chris shares insights from his journey, including his consulting background, the development of Trainual, and his entrepreneurial roots. He also talks about his book 'The Business Playbook,' which serves as a comprehensive guide for creating effective business systems. Packed with valuable advice and humorous anecdotes, this episode provides a deep dive into the world of small business management and optimization.Key Takeaways:Chris Ronzio shares his entrepreneurial journey from childhood side hustles to founding a successful SaaS company.Trainual began as a simple internal tool within Chris's consulting business before evolving into a platform used by 7,000+ companies worldwide.Chris bootstrapped his first real business—a youth sports video production company—at just 14 years old and ran it for over a decade.His transition into consulting exposed him to 150+ businesses, helping him identify scalable patterns in operations and onboarding.The decision to pivot fully from consulting to launching Trainual as a SaaS company was driven by a desire to solve deeper business problems with greater impact.Creating role clarity, documenting systems, and defining responsibilities are essential for building scalable businesses—even in teams as small as five people.Chris emphasizes the importance of productizing services and standardizing internal processes to reduce chaos and boost efficiency.His bestselling book, The Business Playbook, offers a practical guide for building a scalable operations manual and aligning your team.The culture at Trainual prioritizes clarity, thoughtful onboarding, and enabling every team member to thrive in their roles.Success often starts with giving generously—Chris built trust, reputation, and opportunity through offering free help before monetizing his expertise.Connect with Chris: Website: trainual.comLinkedIn: Chris RonzioLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:06 Meet Chris Ronzio: Founder and CEO of Train01:17 Fun Icebreaker: Unlimited Service for a Year02:20 The Importance of Relaxation and Meditation04:07 Chris Ronzio's Background and Early Life07:08 Entrepreneurial Spirit: Early Ventures10:28 Transition to Consulting and New Challenges18:06 The Birth of Train: From Consulting to SaaS21:41 The Challenges of Starting a Podcast22:38 From Consulting to Equity Projects23:28 The Leap to SaaS26:34 Adapting Team Roles for SaaS30:22 The Importance of Clear Roles in a Company33:44 Writing and Marketing 'The Business Playbook'38:56 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Guest: Casey Woo, CEO & Founder of Operators Guild & FOG VenturesWhat happens when startups are built not by armies of specialists, but by lean teams of senior generalists paired with AI agents?In this episode of SaaS Backwards, we sit down with Casey Woo—CEO and Founder of FOG Ventures and the Operators Guild—to explore how AI is transforming the fundamental structure of companies. According to Woo, the org chart of the future isn't just flatter and faster—it's hybrid, where strategic, multi-discipline humans lead and AI agents handle executional work once done by junior staff.From finance and support to engineering and ops, AI is hollowing out the middle, forcing leaders to become broader, sharper, and more cross-functional. Think “Special Forces” over traditional departments. The operators who thrive will be the ones who can think horizontally, move fast, and execute across domains.Other key insights from the episode include:

Brett Winton and ARK analyst Jozef Soja dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI agents—software entities that are increasingly automating enterprise functions like customer support. They explore why AI agents are gaining traction, how they're priced, and the potential for a new kind of agent-versus-agent arms race between companies and consumers. Later in the episode, they're joined by Dr. Alan Bekker, founder of eSelf.ai and former Head of Conversational AI at Snap, who shares his journey from building voice agents for call centers to launching a real-time, face-to-face AI tutoring platform. Alan offers insights into how the rise of large language models (LLM) is reshaping education, what makes a great AI tutor, and why a visual, embodied presence is crucial for learning.Key Points From This Episode:00:00:00 What enterprise AI agents actually do and how companies like Salesforce are pricing them00:03:41 Why $2 per AI conversation may already undercut human support costs00:05:04 The Return On Investment (ROI) model behind agent adoption and enterprise productivity00:06:41 Why agent-based software may retain higher pricing power than other AI tools00:09:11 The coming arms race: AI agents negotiating with other AI agents00:12:30 Scaling demand for customer service with intelligent automation00:15:04 Vertical vs. horizontal Software as a Service (SaaS) in the AI agent ecosystem00:16:43 AI's impact across the software stack—SaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS) , and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)00:17:56 Why building your own AI apps may soon be cheaper than onboarding SaaS00:20:01 ARK's  internal hackathon and how non-engineers are becoming developers00:20:29 Guest: Dr. Alan Bekker joins to discuss the evolution of conversational AI00:22:04 The journey from decision trees to LLMs: Lessons from Snap's AI team00:27:32 Seeing GPT's impact from inside: OpenAI's early partner outreach00:31:47 Why face-to-face AI tutors found strong product-market fit in education00:33:59 eSelf's go-to-market strategy: Partnering with publishers as a business to business to consumer (B2B2C) wedge00:36:24 Pricing real-time AI tutoring tools in a margin-conscious market00:40:00 Business to consumer (B2C) aspirations: Moving toward a direct-to-student tutoring product00:44:56 What's still missing for real-time AI to match human-level teaching00:48:03 The psychological impact of avatars: Building trust through embodied agents00:51:43 Why personalization—not just LLM knowledge—matters in tutoring00:54:20 Democratizing learning: LLMs as the end of expert-driven education

#472 What if the easiest way to grow your business was hiding in plain sight — your existing customers? In this episode, host Brien Gearin welcomes back Brian O'Connor, ex-Deloitte consultant, founder of TalentHQ, and three-time MU guest, to dive deep into the power of customer success. Learn how businesses of all sizes — from SaaS companies to local service providers — can drive massive growth by retaining clients, generating referrals, collecting more reviews, and increasing lifetime customer value. Brian also shares how he helps companies hire top-tier talent from Latin America at a fraction of U.S. prices, and why the Customer Success Manager might be the most overlooked (and most profitable) role in your business. Whether you're just starting out or scaling fast, this episode will help you unlock more revenue — without chasing new leads! What we discuss with Brian: + Customer success vs. customer service + Retention, referrals, and renewals + How SaaS pioneered customer success + Reoccurring vs. recurring revenue + Upselling through relationship building + Why reviews drive local business growth + Hiring top talent in Latin America + Small business roles to outsource + Automating follow-up for repeat sales + Customer success for online communities Thank you, Brian! Subscribe to Brian's newsletter at OutlierGrowth.com. Follow Brian on social media @thebrianfoconnor. Email Brian at brian@talenthq.co. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/millionaire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All we hear about is AI this, AI that. And yet trying to keep up with all the changes can be overwhelming. Many operators are simply rejecting it outright, or knowingly keeping their heads buried in the sand.So Mitch Bach sat down with Janette Roush, the "Chief AI Officer" for Brand USA, to ask a fundamental question: what are some practical ways a tour operator can get started using AI effectively for their tour business? This isn't a technical, advanced conversation, but rather a clear-eyed overview of the benefits of just getting started and a practical approach to do just that. It's a great first step for those wondering where to begin.Janette is a master communicator on this topic, and everyone should follow her on LinkedIn!

Jeremy Horowitz is the Managing Partner of Because Ventures and the creator of Let's Buy a Biz!, a media brand and private equity-backed content engine built to make ecommerce M&A more transparent, data-driven, and founder-friendly. Because Ventures is a private equity search fund focused on acquiring and scaling Shopify brands and apps, while Let's Buy a Biz! documents what it actually takes to grow Top 1% ecommerce businesses.Before launching either venture, Jeremy worked across every layer of the Shopify ecosystem from scaling high-growth DTC brands like Lumi, to leading growth at top-performing Shopify apps like Gorgias. His on-the-ground experience gave him a front-row seat to what really drives retention, profit, and valuation. Now, through Because Ventures, Jeremy applies that knowledge to acquire and operate ecommerce businesses with sustainable margins and focused stacks.Whether debunking the myth that “every brand needs subscriptions,” tracking the 84% adoption rate of email/SMS across $1M+ stores, or predicting which app categories will consolidate over the next five years, Jeremy brings a deep analytical lens to ecommerce strategy. He shares insights from crawling 103,000 Shopify stores, explains why most loyalty programs fail, and urges founders to simplify their tech stack before adding complexity. His story is a masterclass in using real data, not hype to guide business decisions.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:40] Intro[00:55] Scaling DTC brands to eight figures[02:03] Expanding beyond Shopify Plus assumptions[04:18] Filtering out inactive and duplicate stores[05:05] Highlighting the top 10 most used apps[09:08] Focusing on what actually drives growth[10:56] Comparing native vs third-party app adoption[12:23] Spotting analytics as a breakout category[14:11] Explaining why real CRO starts at $5M+[16:49] Spotting support as an underused category[18:29] Unpacking the subscription model myth[22:47] Auditing app stacks to save thousandsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeEcommerce Social Impact Fund because.ventures/index.htmlInsider analysis of the largest Ecommerce brands' financials letsbuyabiz.xyz/Follow Jeremy Horowitz linkedin.com/in/jeremyhorowitz1If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) is joined by Jennifer Li, a general partner at a16z investing in enterprise, infrastructure and AI. Jennifer breaks down how AI workloads are creating new demands on everything from inference pipelines to observability systems, explaining why we're seeing a bifurcation between language models and diffusion models at the infrastructure level. They explore emerging categories like reinforcement learning environments that help train agents, the evolution of web scraping for agentic workflows, and why Jennifer believes the API economy is about to experience another boom as agents become the primary consumers of software interfaces.–Full transcript: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/the-ai-infrastructure-stack-with-jennifer-li-a16z/–Sponsor:  VantaVanta automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex–Links:Jennifer Li's writing at a16z https://a16z.com/author/jennifer-li/ –Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:55) The AI shift and infrastructure(02:24) Diving into middleware and AI models(04:23) Challenges in AI infrastructure(07:07) Real-world applications and optimizations(15:15) Sponsor: Vanta(16:38) Real-world applications and optimizations (cont'd)(19:05) Reinforcement learning and synthetic environments(23:05) The future of SaaS and AI integration(26:02) Observability and self-healing systems(32:49) Web scraping and automation(37:29) API economy and agent interactions(44:47) Wrap

In episode #291 of SaaS Metrics School, Ben Murray breaks down one of the most important—and often debated—questions in SaaS finance:

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Rohit Divate, to discuss the intersection of finance, operations, and the high-growth startup world. They explore how finance leaders can partner with teams to drive growth while maintaining sustainability, the role of AI in finance, and the importance of communication and trust in leadership. The conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities faced by finance professionals in high-growth environments and provides actionable insights for those navigating this fast-paced industry.Rohit is a seasoned finance leader with expertise in high-growth SaaS companies. Having raised over $500 million and driven revenue growth from $20 million to over $500 million, Rohit has a deep passion for improving finance team effectiveness and is especially active in the AI space. He currently serves as the head of operations and finance at Sprig, an all-in-one product experience platform.Expect to Learn:How finance can act as a strategic partner to drive company growth, especially in the early stages.The importance of balancing growth with sustainability in high-growth SaaS companies.Key metrics and strategies for scaling operations and go-to-market efforts in early-stage startups.Insights into how AI is changing the landscape of finance and operations.Tips on building trust and accountability within teams to ensure collaborative success.Here are a few quotes from the episode:"You need to build trust with your teams before you can build accountability. It's not about numbers, it's about relationships." - Rohit Divate"AI is going to be a game changer. Right now, we're still figuring out how to use it in finance, but I'm excited for the day it makes me 10x more productive." - Rohit Divate"In early-stage companies, you don't really know what your metrics are yet, but you can always measure improvement." - Rohit DivateRohit shares valuable insights, real stories, and practical advice for anyone in finance, particularly those working in high-growth startups. If you're looking to understand the dynamics of scaling a business, driving sustainable growth, and partnering effectively with teams, this episode is for you. Rohit talks about what's worked for him, the challenges he's faced, and the key lessons he's learned throughout his career, offering actionable takeaways for aspiring finance leaders.Corporate Finance Institute: You know the numbers. Now it's time to own the story.The new FP&A Professional (FPAP) Certification from CFI is built for finance professionals who want to lead with insight-not just report the data. Enroll by July 1st and get 40% of this new Certification. Learn more at: https://corporatefinancialinstitute.pxf.io/c/6003589/3067930/23723Follow FP&A Tomorrow:Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6957679529595162624 Follow Rohit:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/divate/Twitter - https://x.com/rohitdv8 Follow Paul: Website - https://www.theFP&Aguy.com...

Dots Oyebolu's latest guest is Gaetano Nino DiNardi, Growth Advisor and former marketing leader at Pipedrive, Sales Hacker (now Outreach) and Nextiva.Gaetano shares his unconventional journey from music producer to sought-after marketing strategist. He dives into his early SEO experiments, the power of inbound marketing and how focus — not scale — is the secret to long-term success. With a no-fluff, hustle-forward philosophy, Gaetano outlines how most SaaS companies lack true differentiation and why success often comes from execution rather than positioning. Key Takeaways:(01:31) Gaetano shares how his blogging background and passion for SEO launched his unexpected career in marketing.(05:29) Companies usually fall into two categories: those that know what to do but need help executing, and those that need help figuring out the strategy.(07:31) Focused, phased marketing efforts yield better results than attempting to tackle everything at once.(10:33) With so many SaaS brands blending, standing out often comes down to creating stronger content, bolder creative and sharper execution.(13:59) Consistency is critical in marketing success; historical examples are good for showing how competitors have pulled ahead.(18:53) Traditional demand capture tactics, such as biased comparison tables, backfire; instead, highlight genuine value.(24:30) Conversion paths often span multiple touchpoints, and marketers must evaluate the full journey, not just isolated campaigns.(30:00) Community-driven spaces like Docebo's customer hub play a key role in customer retention and advocacy.(38:42) Using customer data to target competitors' audiences through tools like LinkedIn and data platforms is a powerful growth tactic.Resources Mentioned:Gaetano Nino DiNardihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/officialg/Pipedrive | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/pipedrive/Outreach | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/outreach-saas/Nextiva | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/nextiva/SEMRushhttps://www.semrush.com/OfficialGaetano.com | Websitehttps://officialgaetano.comDocebo Communityhttps://community.docebo.com/Insightful Links:https://www.bain.com/insights/reimagining-marketing-during-recessionary-times/ https://www.divisional.co/blog/tips-to-optimize-growth-marketing-strategy https://www.dashly.io/blog/demand-generation-vs-growth-marketing/ https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/reimagining-marketing-in-the-next-normal Thanks for listening to the “Marketing Leadership” podcast, brought to you by Listen Network. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from our community. Currently, we are not accepting new guest interview requests as we focus on our existing lineup. We will announce when we reopen for new submissions. In the meantime, feel free to explore our past episodes and stay tuned for updates on future opportunities.#PodcastMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #BrandMarketing #MarketingStrategy #MarketingIntelligence #GTM #B2BMarketing #D2CMarketing #PodcastAds

Bob Burke is the Chief Information Security Officer at Beyond Identity, where he plays a key role in building and securing the company's identity-first access management platform. He has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and engineering leadership and brings deep expertise in identity, cloud infrastructure, compliance, and protecting mission-critical SaaS systems.00:00 Intro10:07 What the main threat back then?13:30 Finding a Security Architect15:24 What gaps cause MFA to go down?18:00 You don't know you've been breached22:36 Should CISOs be part of IT?30:31 Phishing Resistant Attacks33:42 Beyond Identity37:42 If your identity is compromised…41:19 Hardware supply chain47:45 More about Bob------------------------------------------------------------To learn more about Dark Rhiino Security visit https://www.darkrhiinosecurity.com------------------------------------------------------------SOCIAL MEDIA:Stay connected with us on our social media pages where we'll give you snippets, alerts for new podcasts, and even behind the scenes of our studio!Instagram: @securityconfidential and @DarkrhiinosecurityFacebook: @Dark-Rhiino-Security-IncTwitter: @darkrhiinosecLinkedIn: @dark-rhiino-securityYoutube: @DarkRhiinoSecurity ​

Bob Burke is the Chief Information Security Officer at Beyond Identity, where he plays a key role in building and securing the company's identity-first access management platform. He has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and engineering leadership and brings deep expertise in identity, cloud infrastructure, compliance, and protecting mission-critical SaaS systems.00:00 Intro10:07 What the main threat back then?13:30 Finding a Security Architect15:24 What gaps cause MFA to go down?18:00 You don't know you've been breached22:36 Should CISOs be part of IT?30:31 Phishing Resistant Attacks33:42 Beyond Identity37:42 If your identity is compromised…41:19 Hardware supply chain47:45 More about Bob------------------------------------------------------------To learn more about Bob visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-burke-4293712/To learn more about Dark Rhiino Security visit https://www.darkrhiinosecurity.com------------------------------------------------------------SOCIAL MEDIA:Stay connected with us on our social media pages where we'll give you snippets, alerts for new podcasts, and even behind the scenes of our studio!Instagram: @securityconfidential and @DarkrhiinosecurityFacebook: @Dark-Rhiino-Security-IncTwitter: @darkrhiinosecLinkedIn: @dark-rhiino-securityYoutube: @DarkRhiinoSecurity ​

 Episode Topic: Baxter Lanius, CEO of Alternative Payments, joins PayPod to discuss the slow adoption of modern payment methods in the B2B sector, the role of AI in speeding up invoicing, and how alternative payment solutions can help businesses get paid faster. Baxter also explores the intersection of fintech and industries like construction and logistics, highlighting opportunities to improve payment workflows. Lessons You'll Learn: Why the B2B payments market still relies on checks How AI can help automate invoicing and streamline payment workflows The challenges of bringing blue-collar industries into the digital payments era Why some industries are hesitant to adopt new fintech solutions How Alternative Payments is modernizing B2B transactions and enabling faster payments About Our Guest: Baxter Lanius is the CEO of Alternative Payments, a startup revolutionizing B2B payment workflows. With a focus on AI-driven solutions, Baxter's company is dedicated to modernizing the payment experience for industries that still rely on outdated systems, like checks. Prior to founding Alternative Payments, Baxter had a role on the board of Giordano's Pizza, where he learned the value of strong branding and customer loyalty. Baxter is passionate about using technology to improve business efficiency and financial transparency. Topics Covered: The challenges of legacy B2B payment systems The potential of AI in fintech Embedded finance and vertical SaaS solutions Overcoming barriers to fintech adoption in traditional industries  

NHS confirms patient death linked to ransomware attack BreachForums busted again Thousands of SaaS apps still vulnerable to nOAuth Huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker® is a global leader in Zero Trust endpoint security, offering cybersecurity controls to protect businesses from zero-day attacks and ransomware. ThreatLocker operates with a default deny approach to reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential cyber vulnerabilities. To learn more and start your free trial, visit ThreatLocker.com/CISO.

Selling into banks isn't like selling anywhere else. Risk-averse buyers. Long sales cycles. Endless stakeholder approvals.In this SaaS Fuel episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Stacy Bishop, founder of Selling FinTech, to unpack how SaaS and fintech founders can navigate the complexities of selling to highly regulated industries like banking and financial services.You'll learn how to overcome pricing objections, how to make your buyer the hero (not the guinea pig), and how to build trust in an environment where nobody wants to take risks.If you've ever heard “Not right now” from a bank, this episode will change how you sell forever.Key Takeaways00:00 - Don't prejudge customers based on size01:16 - What's harder than building fintech? Selling it to banks02:12 - Why selling to banks is a whole different game03:15 - Recap: Rahul Pangam & Patricia Fripp04:03 - Meet Stacy Bishop of Selling FinTech05:37 - Why Stacy helps founders sell to banks06:50 - What founders underestimate about banking sales08:17 - Fast fintech vs. slow banks09:18 - Building trust in regulated industries11:27 - How to de-risk the deal13:00 - Pricing integrity: lead with value, not discounts16:28 - The problem with “list price”18:13 - Discounts kill trust—here's why21:16 - Collaborative negotiation: both sides win23:55 - Making the buyer the hero of the deal28:01 - The real risk: personal, not just business29:01 - Repeatable fintech sales framework34:03 - How to map buying committees and champions38:00 - Selling in a slow-moving market—what works41:21 - One tip for founders pitching banks this quarter46:05 - Tactical changes to improve close rates now48:30 - What's the future of fintech sales?Tweetable Quotes“Stop second-guessing what customers can afford. Lead with your value.” — Stacy Bishop“If you're offering a 60% discount… your value is probably fake.” — Jeff Mains“Discounting doesn't build trust. It destroys it.” — Stacy Bishop“Make your buyer the hero, not the guinea pig.” — Stacy Bishop“Selling to banks is about trust, not speed.” — Jeff Mains“A collaborative deal is the only deal that lasts.” — Stacy BishopSaaS Leadership LessonsNever assume who can or can't afford you.Lead with value and pricing confidence—don't self-disqualify prospects.Discounting damages trust.Huge price drops signal you don't even believe in your own value.The buyer isn't just a buyer—they're the hero of the deal.Make them look good to their team, board, and leadership.De-risking isn't optional—it's the strategy.Address risk upfront to keep the deal moving forward.Selling into banks is relationship-first, not feature-first.Understand the people, not just the product requirements.Slow cycles require fast clarity.Clear messaging, champion enablement, and proactive objection handling speed things up in a slow-moving market.Guest ResourcesEmail - stbishop0220@gmail.comWebsite - http://www.stacybishop.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacybishopEpisode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

#airtable #on2air #builtonair 5/27/2025 - BuiltOnAir Live Podcast Full Show - S22-E08 ___________________________ The BuiltOnAir podcast is a live weekly show highlighting everything happening in the Airtable universe. Check us out at BuiltOnAir.com/join. Join our community, join our Slack channel, and see what's happening. ------------------------ SPONSORED BY On2Air - Airtable Apps and Integrations to run your business operations in Airtable Start a free 14-day trial of On2Air Apps - https://on2air.com?via=podcast ------------------------ ___________________________ IN THIS EPISODE

In this re-run episode of the SaaS Revolution Show, originally recorded in 2022, our host Alex Theuma is joined by Ross Andrew Paquette, Chairman and CEO at Maropost, to talk about bootstrapping a B2C CRM to $100MM and a $1.7B valuation. Ross shares:

In this episode, we're joined by Jennifer Peters, Head of Customer Success at Vesper, the commodity data platform working to bring transparency to the global commodity marketplace. Vesper provides market data, benchmarks, and forecasting to allow you to make confident decisions in volatile food markets. We spoke with Jennifer about what it really means to design and implement an effective customer journey, and why managing a customer portfolio doesn't automatically mean you're managing that journey well. Here are some of the key questions we address: What's the difference between managing customer portfolios and managing the full customer journey? Where does the customer journey actually begin, and why is that moment so often misunderstood? How do you make your onboarding flow keep pace with a fast-evolving product? Why is launching a new feature once never enough? What kind of adoption and usage metrics should CS teams monitor to prevent churn? How do you operationalize customer success playbooks so they trigger action, not just insight? What's the role of CS in ensuring goals set during the sales cycle don't disappear after onboarding? How do you keep stakeholders across sales, marketing, and product aligned on the journey you're all supporting? Tune in to hear how Jennifer and her team are building a proactive customer success engine at Vesper - and what any SaaS org can learn about keeping customers engaged, growing, and renewing long after the contract is signed.

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're excited to speak with Nilo Pirttijarvi, co-founder of Inven—a rapidly growing AI-powered deal sourcing tool making waves in the M&A world. Nilo takes us through his journey from a background in consulting and investment banking to launching his first startup, inspired by the pain points he and his co-founders experienced firsthand in finding and analyzing acquisition targets. In this episode, you'll hear how Inven is helping private equity, investment banks, and corporate M&A teams supercharge their deal pipelines—especially when it comes to those hard-to-find, niche targets in the middle market. Nilo shares candid insights about Inven's rapid growth, fundraising journey (including a recent €11.2 million Series A), and the lessons learned when building both relationships and ARR to attract top investors. We also dive into the startup's operational metrics, go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and what's next for this ambitious international team. If you're interested in SaaS growth, fundraising, or the future of AI in deal sourcing, you won't want to miss this conversation! Show Notes: 00:00 Streamlining Company Analysis Process 06:20 Rapid Startup Growth Pathway 08:16 Relationships Over ARR in Investment 12:00 "Classic Global Sales Model" 13:59 M&A Tool User Variability 17:54 Competitive Multi-Tool Market Strategy Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/inven-raises-11-2-million-in-series-a Niilo Pirttijarvi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niilo-pirttijarvi/ Inven AI's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inven-ai/ Inven AI's Website: https://www.inven.ai/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

What does it take to actually ship LLM-powered features, and what breaks when you connect them to real production data? In this episode, we hear from Philip Carter — then a Principal PM at Honeycomb and now a Product Management Director at Salesforce. In early 2023, he helped build one of the first LLM-powered SaaS features to ship to real users. More recently, he and his team built a production-ready MCP server. We cover: • How to evaluate LLM systems using human-aligned judges • The spreadsheet-driven process behind shipping Honeycomb's first LLM feature • The challenges of tool usage, prompt templates, and flaky model behavior • Where MCP shows promise, and where it breaks in the real world If you're working on LLMs in production, this one's for you! LINKS So We Shipped an AI Product: Did it Work? by Philip Carter (https://www.honeycomb.io/blog/we-shipped-ai-product) Vanishing Gradients YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_NafIo-Ku2loOLrzm45ABA) Upcoming Events on Luma (https://lu.ma/calendar/cal-8ImWFDQ3IEIxNWk) Hugo's recent newsletter about upcoming events and more! (https://hugobowne.substack.com/p/ai-as-a-civilizational-technology)

What if you could close the gap between what you think your customers experience and what they actually feel—using raw, unfiltered feedback you can see and hear for yourself? In a constantly evolving digital landscape, the journey from a customer's very first click to their final interaction is more complex—and crucial—than ever before. But many leaders believe that their customer experience is far better than it really is—a costly blind spot that leads to missed opportunities for building trust and loyalty. How can organizations truly see their products and services through their customers' eyes and outpace the competition in building brand confidence? You won't want to miss this week's Delighted Customers Podcast, where Mark Slatin sits down with Baran Erkel, Chief Strategy Officer at User Testing. Baran's rich background—from developer to consulting to enterprise SaaS leadership—gives him a unique 360-degree view on why empathy at scale is the new differentiator and how User Testing's platform enables businesses to bring the authentic voice of the customer into every decision. If you're a leader who wants to turn insight into action, streamline feedback loops, and future-proof experiences in the age of AI, Baran's expertise is essential listening. Here are three compelling questions Baran Erkel answers on this episode: Why is traditional customer feedback (like NPS surveys) not enough for truly understanding and closing the customer experience gap? How does User Testing enable organizations to “get out of the building” and immerse themselves in real-time, video-based customer feedback—even at scale? What is the transformative role of AI in the future of human insights, feedback, and designing for trust? Tune in to this insightful conversation and discover how to proactively bridge blind spots in your customer journey. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify—or catch Delighted Customers on all of your favorite podcast platforms so you never miss an episode! Meet Baran Erkel Baran Erkel is the Chief Strategy Officer at User Testing, where he leads strategy, corporate development (including mergers and acquisitions), and product management for their industry-leading platform. With over 15 years in enterprise software and a career foundation in computer science and consulting, Baran's passion lies in helping businesses harness human insights to drive innovation and deepen customer trust. User Testing, founded in 2008, now serves over 3,000 clients—including global enterprises in financial services, tech, and retail—by enabling rapid, actionable feedback through both digital and physical customer experiences. Baran is committed to equipping organizations with the tools and mindset shifts needed to close the “experience gap” and thrive in today's competitive landscape. Connect with Baran on LinkedIn. Show Note References Coupa Café anecdote illustrating the powerful impact of real-time, direct customer feedback The Bain & Company “CX Gap” statistic User Testing's role in transitioning from reactive to proactive customer listening The future of AI-powered feedback and its integration with human insights Don't forget to listen and subscribe—transform your approach to customer experience starting today!

AI just taught me this cool thing... keep on listening to find out what it is! Today we talk about the massive and fast-moving implications of AI. We share the personal experiences with how AI challenges traditional business structures and workflows, requiring users to reimagine how work is done. We also explores how AI may replace many functions within organizations, from marketing to operations, while still lacking in areas like math accuracy and sales conversations. We also talk about Mary Meeker's AI report, noting unprecedented user adoption, the rapid rise of global competitors like China's DeepSeek, and the prediction that LLMs will become personal, customizable, and nearly costless. We need to rethink AI's role in business, its deflationary impact on cost, and how fast-changing technology may render old tools and concepts obsolete.  We discuss...  How humor and sarcasm could be the final frontier in distinguishing AI from humans. The greatest investment in AI is learning how to use it personally and professionally. How limited human imagination, not technology, is the biggest barrier to innovation with AI. AI's limitations in math were noted, with a warning not to fully trust it as a CFO despite its operational usefulness. AI isn't quite ready for high-touch sales calls but is rapidly closing the gap in other business areas. Global AI adoption is surging, with China's DeepSeek gaining ground quickly through much lower-cost models. Token costs have dropped nearly 100% in two years, and energy efficiency in GPUs has improved drastically. With the penny going out of circulation, it might be time to start saving them as collectibles. AI development curves are moving much faster than traditional SaaS models, making this a truly disruptive moment in tech. Meta's LLaMA has been downloaded 1.2 billion times in 10 weeks, with over 100,000 derivative models created. The performance gap between open-source and closed AI models is shrinking rapidly, with DeepSeek nearly matching OpenAI on benchmarks. The AI ecosystem is becoming decentralized, much like the shift from centralized platforms to blockchain-based alternatives. Decentralization is praised for enabling free speech, innovation, and diversity of thought, unlike centralized control. Most employees are already using AI tools like ChatGPT personally, even if companies haven't officially adopted them. AI is increasing personal productivity, but there's concern it may ultimately compress work rather than improve quality of life. Over 60,000 new AI-related job titles have emerged in just two years, indicating a massive career reshuffle. Without earned knowledge, people can misuse powerful tools like AI, just as they did with nuclear weapons. The future with AI could resemble either Skynet or Star Trek, and no one truly knows which way it will go. There is risk of psychological strain and social dysfunction if people are displaced without purpose. AI tools can now bypass paywalls and summarize articles, challenging traditional media revenue models. The current wealth gap and collapse of the middle class is unprecedented, even before full-scale AI disruption. Decentralized AI (e.g., having your own local models) is seen as essential to maintain independence and avoid manipulation. A growing imbalance of more sellers than buyers suggests further downward pressure on real estate prices. Political pressure is influencing Fed policy, with previous rate cuts seen as potentially timed to impact elections. Global conflict, such as recent Middle East tensions, is having surprisingly little impact on the stock market. Investors should focus on risk management given the unpredictability and detachment from fundamentals. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/ai-just-taught-me-this-cool-thing-723 

Attention entrepreneurs: If you think working 80+ hour weeks makes your business more valuable... the data says otherwise.This conversation will change how you think about business building forever.James Brown didn't just sell his business for multiple cash offers he proved that less owner involvement equals higher business value.James is the founder of BizTech Guru, a business consultant who transformed his own accommodation business over many years from requiring 120-hour work weeks to just 30 minutes of monthly involvement. After surviving multiple economic challenges including the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19, he eventually sold the business with 7 offers, 3 of which were cash.In this episode, he exposes the shocking truth about why 80% of businesses aren't sellable, reveals his exact automation playbook, and shares the mindset shifts that create truly passive income.We talked about business automation, but not the tech-heavy complicated kind.We talked about remote team management, but not the micromanagement nightmare kind.And we talked about exit preparation, the kind that actually increases your quality of life WHILE building value.This completely changed my perspective on what makes businesses valuable.Perfect for: SaaS founders, service business owners, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and anyone building for eventual exit. • • •FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/jamesbrown• • • FOR MORE ON JAMES BROWNJames Brown's LinkedIn BizTech Guru WebsiteFOR MORE ON COREY KUPFERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/http://coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

In this episode, Graham unravels Operation Endgame - the surprisingly stylish police crackdown that is seizing botnets, mocking malware authors with anime videos, and taunting cybercriminals via Telegram.Meanwhile, Carole exposes the AI-generated remote hiring threat. Could your next coworker be a North Korean hacker with a perfect LinkedIn?And BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy joins us to talk about "Ctrl-Alt-Chaos", his new book diving into the murky world of teenage hackers, ransomware gangs, and the strange motivations that lie behind digital mayhem.Plus: competitive pond husbandry, dead slugs, Hitster the board game, and a shoutout to the AI startup that hijacked Graham's SEO.All this and more is discussed in episode 423 of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault - it's like a cauldron of life... but for cybersecurity.Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.Episode links:Operation Endgame.Ctrl+Alt+Chaos.Lizard Squad Member: Why I Took Down Xbox and PlayStation - YouTube.Reckoning With the Rise of Deepfakes - The Regulatory Review.Deepfake interviews: Navigating the growing AI threat in recruitment and organizational security - Fast Company. Why Your Hiring Process is Now a Cybersecurity Vulnerability - Pindrop.Best Practices for Defeating Deepfake Candidate Fraud - Dice Hiring.Phanpy - A minimalistic opinionated Mastodon web client.How to make a mini pond - Gardener's World.Hitster board game.Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)Sponsored by:Vanta– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!Flare- Uncover the latest threats across the dark web and Telegram. Start your free trial today.Trelica by 1Password - Access Governance for every SaaS app. Discover, manage, and optimize access for any of your SaaS apps - whether managed or unmanaged.SUPPORT THE SHOW:Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on

SaaStr 808: AI and Cybersecurity: Scaling Rubrik to a Billion Dollar Enterprise with Rubrik's Co-Founder and CTO In this episode, Kit Colbert, former CTO of VMware and Platform CTO at Invisible, sits down with Arvind  Nithrakashyap, Co-founder and CTO of Rubrik, to discuss the company's journey and innovations over the last 11 years.    Arvind  shares insights into Rubrik's platform for cyber resilience, their approach to scaling with multiple product pillars, and their unique use of hackathons to spark innovation. The conversation also delves into customer satisfaction strategies, the implementation of AI in both their products and internal processes, and how they measure the ROI of AI initiatives. With highlights of Rubrik's 39% year-over-year growth, a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 80, and the launch of their AI product Ana, this episode offers valuable takeaways for businesses looking to scale and innovate.   ------------------ This episode of the SaaStr podcast is sponsored by: Attio This episode is brought to you by Attio — the AI-native CRM. Connect your email, and Attio instantly builds a powerful CRM - with every company, contact and interaction you've ever had. Get 15% off your first year at https://attio.com/saastr   ------------------ This episode of the SaaStr podcast is sponsored by: Attention.com Tired of listening to hours of sales calls? Recording is yesterday's game. Attention.com unleashes an army of AI sales agents that auto-update your CRM, build custom sales decks, spot cross-sell signals, and score calls before your coffee's cold. Teams like BambooHR and Scale AI already automate their Sales and RevOps using customer conversations. Step into the future at attention.com/saastr ------------------ Hey everyone, we just hosted 10,000 of you at the SaaStr Annual in the SF Bay Area, and now get ready, because SaaStr AI is heading to London! On December 2nd and 3rd, we're bringing SaaStr AI to the heart of Europe. This is your chance to connect with 2,500+ SaaS and AI executives, founders, and investors, all sharing the secrets to scaling in the age of AI. Whether you're a founder, a revenue leader, or an investor, SaaStr AI in London is where the future of SaaS meets the power of AI. And we just announced tickets and sponsorships, so don't wait! Head to SaaStrLondon.com to grab yours and join us this December in London. SaaStr AI in London —where SaaS meets AI, and the next wave of innovation begins. See you there!

Send us a textWork with Jordan personally at www.ecommerceos.coWork with social commerce club at www.socialcommerceclub.comGet 27 strategies in 27 days at https://socialcommerceclub.com/pages/27-strategiesJoin Tiktok shop elites mastermind at https://www.skool.com/tiktokshopelite/aboutStruggling with Meta CPMs rising 30 % while TikTok creators cash in?Welcome to the playbook you've been waiting for. In this hands-on workshop, Social Commerce Club founder Jordan West shows you how to turn TikTok Shop user-generated content into high-performing creator-handle ads across Meta, YouTube Shorts, and beyond—without paying $450 for a single UGC clip.Timestamps:00:00 – 02:40 Why “Whitelisting on Steroids” Beats Brand Ads02:41 – 07:00 Live Case Study: $3.5 K Spend → $55 K Revenue07:01 – 13:20 Tool Stack Deep Dive (Refundle demo)13:21 – 21:45 Building the Cross-Channel Content Engine21:46 – 29:30 30-Day Rollout Plan & Budget Allocation29:31 – 33:00 Advanced Tactics: CPM-Arbitrage + Pay-Per-Impression DealsWhat You'll Learn:Why creator-handle ads win: the hard numbers behind 60 % higher CTR and 50 % lower CPA compared with brand-run creative.One-click whitelisting workflow: how Refundle surfaces high-GMV TikTok posts and auto-requests creator permissions—no spreadsheets, no DMs.Cross-channel deployment: copy-paste winning TikTok hooks into Meta Advantage+ and YouTube Shorts to exploit cheap, fresh impressions.30-day game plan: audit your top creators, launch three test ad sets, and scale spend while the algorithm does the heavy lifting.Scaling secrets: CPM-arbitrage, creator rev-share vs. flat CPM payouts, and bundle offers that bump AOV by 20 % or more.Who Should WatchDTC brands doing $50 K–$5 M per month that need a scalable edge beyond Meta ads.Growth agencies searching for a repeatable, measurable lever clients will gladly pay for.SaaS founders & info-product creators looking to borrow creator trust and shorten sales cycles.

Embedded finance offers a chance for fintech firms, vertical SaaS companies, and marketplaces to drive revenue growth and build a sticky offering.  Always strapped for cash and with their owners juggling multiple responsibilities at once, small businesses increasingly adopt vertical SaaS platforms to run their operations, the demand for integrated banking, payments, and lending solutions continues to accelerate.   For firms that can successfully navigate this landscape, embedded finance offers a powerful pathway to differentiation in an increasingly competitive market while addressing the critical financial needs that traditional institutions have struggled to meet effectively. On the show today, I am joined by three leaders in the space sharing insights into what it takes to succeed: Yoseph West, Co-founder and CEO of Relay which is a digital business banking platform serving SMBs, Sol Lax, CEO of Revenued, a leader in revenued-based financing and  Caleb Avery, founder and CEO of Tilled, a modern embedded payments provider for software companies Tune in to hear us plot the market shift from embedded payments to lending, underwriting challenges for thin-file customers, and strategic partnership models that create comprehensive solutions for small businesses.  In this episode we will examine two case studies: how  Relay and Tilled are implementing embedded lending in their platforms through their work Revenued and sketch out a plan for fintechs that want to mature their embedded finance offerings to offer sophisticated products like lending and working capital to their SMB customers. If you're a platform serving SMBs, embedded lending isn't just a feature – it's a way to make your product indispensable.  As customers look for financial solutions that meet them where they are, platforms that deliver seamless, flexible capital access will win. This episode is a must-listen for any SaaS, fintech, or ma

Precision tracking and reporting in Google Ads is key to effectively optimising your campaigns and driving meaningful sales. In today's episode, we dive into how understanding different buyer personas can significantly enhance your advertising strategy. We break down the importance of providing accurate attribution data to the Google Ads platform, which allows it to optimise for high-value customers rather than just any lead. Our guest, Michael Cole, shares insights from his experience at Everflow, where they successfully implemented these strategies to see a remarkable increase in quality leads.Precision tracking and reporting in Google Ads is crucial for driving sales and maximizing ROI. Michael emphasizes that merely relying on Google's native tracking can lead marketers astray, as the platform often attributes conversions based on a variety of factors that may not reflect the actual effectiveness of an ad. He suggests that using a third-party tool allows marketers to capture more accurate attribution data, enabling them to focus on high-value customers and optimise their ads accordingly. By sharing specific buyer behaviors and conversion metrics back to Google, advertisers can steer the algorithm towards what truly matters: identifying and targeting users who are likely to return for repeat purchases, thereby nurturing long-term customer relationships.We also explore the differing types of buyers and how understanding their behaviors can inform ad strategies. Michael shares insights from his own experience, showing how their approach led to a significant increase in quality leads, even in the competitive landscape of SaaS marketing. He outlines the need for businesses to adapt their tracking methods to capture not just immediate purchases but also long-term customer engagement, which can drastically change the effectiveness of ad campaigns.As we wrap up, Michael provides valuable insider tips on maximising Google Ads performance, encouraging listeners to prioritize understanding their customer data and refining their attribution models. Ultimately, the episode serves as a guide for marketers looking to refine their Google Ads strategies by focusing on precision tracking and effective reporting, ensuring that they can make informed decisions that lead to sustained growth and profitability.Takeaways:Understanding different buyer types is crucial for effective Google Ads marketing strategies. Utilizing third-party tools can significantly enhance the precision of your Google Ads tracking. It's essential to provide accurate conversion data back to Google Ads for optimal ad performance. Ad platforms often have different incentives than advertisers, making independent data crucial for success. Treat your customers differently based on their buying behavior to foster long-term relationships. Optimising Google Ads is a continuous process that requires regular adjustments and data analysis.Episode sponsored by Everflow. To find out how Everflow can help your brand, visit everflow.io .Find the notes here: https://keepopt.com/262Download our ebook >> https://keepopt.com/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" ****Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://keepopt.comLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://keepopt.com/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here:

In this episode of The Scott Show, Scott sits down with Acquire.com founder and CEO Andrew Gazdecki to explore the fast-growing world of micro acquisitions. From his early Twitter rise to landing the premium domain Acquire.com, Andrew shares how he built a breakout marketplace where anyone—from side hustlers to solopreneurs—can buy or sell profitable businesses with ease. Scott and Andrew dive into the future of entrepreneurship in a post-AI economy, where owning digital assets like newsletters, SaaS products, or niche content brands may be the new path to self-employment. They break down how Acquire.com works, why niche is the new scale, and how the platform unlocks liquidity for founders who might otherwise have no path to exit. Plus, Andrew shares his brand-building playbook: bootstrapped growth, the art of founder-led marketing, and how a he bought an entire category for $200K. What You'll Learn: - Why micro acquisitions are the future of entrepreneurship - How Acquire.com is changing the game for bootstrapped founders - The power of premium domains and founder-led branding - Why the “dream” phase of a startup often beats early revenue - What solopreneurs should build, buy, or sell in a post-AI world Support the show by creating a free account at Kingscrowd.com. Follow Andrew on Twitter @agazdecki Follow Scott on IG/Twitter @Kitun

In this episode of The Product Experience, Lily and Randy sit down with Moshe Mikanovsky—product coach, educator, and host of the Product for Product podcast—to explore what makes an effective product management toolkit. From identifying the real problems in your workflow to choosing and implementing tools that stick, Moshe outlines a pragmatic, user-centric approach to tool selection. Chapters:2:59 – From Engineering to Product Management5:25 – Why Choosing Tools is Hard8:11 – Elements of a Product Stack10:49 – From Roadmaps to Analytics14:01 – A Framework for Selecting Tools18:01 – Comparing Tools Beyond Features21:18 – Test and Validate Your Tool Choices26:01 – Why Implementation is Critical28:04 – What's Changing in Product Tools29:26 – AI and the Future of Product Management32:01 – Keeping Your Stack Modern34:29 – Making the Case for Budget & ROI37:23 – When ROI Forces a Change38:45 – Final Thoughts & Listener Call to ActionFeatured Links: Follow Moshe on LinkedIn | Moshe's Product Manager Toolkit | PostHogOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.

Andrea Malagodi, CTO of Sonar, discusses how the company successfully transitioned from on-premise to SaaS, leveraging AWS partnership and maintaining focus on developer-centric code quality and security solutions.Topics Include:Andrea Malagodi is CTO of Sonar, guest on podcastSonar founded 16+ years ago by three software engineersFounders wanted to help developers understand code quality issuesFocus on giving developers precise, actionable insights for improvementProducts include SonarQube Server, Cloud, and IDE versionsRecent acquisitions: ACR, Tidelift, and Structure 101 companiesSaaS journey began seven years ago with SonarQube CloudInitially targeted individual developers, then expanded to enterprisesNow multi-region with comprehensive enterprise features availableSeven million developers rely on Sonar's solutions globally400,000 organizations and 28,000 enterprise customers use SonarStarted SaaS to test market demand, not assumptionsEngaged customers early to understand migration requirements neededRecommends alpha versions with design customers for feedbackFree tier for open-source code enables quick trialEnterprise certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2) build trustAWS partnership includes enterprise support and technical resourcesUsed CDK for infrastructure-as-code, experienced early adoption challengesMulti-region strategy should be considered from the beginningAWS Learning partnership certified all engineers in cloudCloud enables faster development cycles than traditional infrastructureRecommends avoiding architectural one-way doors during transitionConsider data residency requirements for global customer baseAI-generated code creates productivity gains but needs validationSonar provides deterministic rules for AI-generated code reviewWorking on MCP protocol and AI code quality solutionsSecurity approach is "start left" not "shift left"Advanced Security offering includes dependency scanning and vulnerabilitiesAvailable on sonarsource.com and AWS MarketplaceFree tier offers 50,000 lines of code analysisParticipants:Andrea Malagodi – Chief Technical Officer, SonarFurther Links:Website: www.sonarsource.comSonar in the AWS MarketplaceSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at https://aws.amazon.com/isv/

On the 53rd episode of Enterprise AI Innovators, hosts Evan Reiser (Abnormal AI) and Saam Motamedi (Greylock Partners) talk with Sineesh Keshav, Chief Technology Officer at Prologis. With over 1.3 billion square feet under management and over 8 billion in revenue, Prologis is the world's largest logistics real estate company. In this conversation, Sineesh shares his perspective on how Prologis drove 95% company-wide adoption of generative AI through personal productivity use cases. He also discusses the future of SaaS as enterprises begin to take greater ownership of their data and AI models, and how AI is enabling a shift from static infrastructure to dynamic, self-optimizing supply chains.Quick hits from Sineesh:On understanding build vs. buy with AI: "If everyone has access to the latest, greatest models, which should be our assumption, then the only thing that differentiates your company is your data, and how you use it. And anything that touches proprietary data should be built internally.”On the importance of enterprise AI strategy: "This isn't something you can afford to sit out. There's a minimum investment every company needs to make—don't skimp on licenses; don't wait to see how it shakes out. Make it accessible, find champions, and start now.”On how AI empowers employees: "At the most basic level, it's a productivity driver. Some people use it to proofread emails, others use it to summarize a 40-page memo, or draft that memo entirely. Every employee can use it in completely different ways—and that's exactly the point.”Recent Book Recommendation: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi--Like what you hear? Leave us a review and subscribe to the show on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Enterprise AI Innovators is a show where top technology executives share how AI is transforming the enterprise. Each episode covers the real-world applications of AI, from improving products and optimizing operations to redefining the customer experience. Find more great insights from technology leaders and enterprise software experts at https://www.enterprisesoftware.blog/ Enterprise AI Innovators is produced by Josh Meer.

From Zero to One: SaaS Founder's First Five Years with Ivan Perez Chamorro

Welcome to another powerful episode of Pitch Cafe Podcast!

This podcast is for SaaS founders who feel stuck chasing feature parity—and anyone wondering if there's a smarter way to build something customers can't live without. Most SaaS founders won't kill a profitable company. They'll optimize it to death instead. Chris Brisson, CEO of SalesMsg, took a different path. He killed his first company while it was still making money. Then spent two years building what messaging should actually do—create conversations, not broadcasts. This inspired me to invite Chris to my podcast. We explore why choosing destruction over optimization creates breakthrough opportunities. Chris reveals his thinking about engineering backwards from outcomes, disrupting yourself before others do, and building what customers consider indispensable. You'll discover why he chose the harder path of starting over—and what happens when you stop chasing features and start solving friction. We also zoom in on two of the 10 traits that define remarkable software companies:  They acknowledge they can't please everyone They master the art of curiosity Here's one of Chris's quotes that captures his contrarian philosophy: "We always take that approach, like, how are we going to disrupt ourselves before someone else does? All right, what are we going to do? How do we disrupt ourselves. Just leaning into, ‘Hey, you know what? We got to kill that product.' The reality is that it actually doesn't solve the problem. What really solves the problem is this.” By listening to this episode, you'll learn: Why killing profitable products unlocks bigger opportunities What happens when you engineer backwards from outcomes Why saying yes to custom features can actually scale your platform Why friction removal beats feature addition every time Chris's story proves traction starts by doing what most others avoid—choosing to disrupt yourself before someone else does. Guest Info  Chris Brisson, CEO and Co-Founder at SalesMsg  Website: salesmessage.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating effective SaaS pricing can be challenging. You need to balance customer value with business goals while making it easy for prospects to choose the right plan. In this episode, Wes reveals the exact 4-step Value Ladder Framework that top SaaS companies use to nail their pricing strategy - plus shows you how to build a complete pricing page in under 15 minutes using AI. Key Highlights: 01:03: The Value Ladder Framework overview02:06: Identifying your value metric 03:17: Finding your ideal price point04:30: Live demo - Using the ProductLed Pricing Page GPT10:00: How to determine pricing based on competitor research12:08: Designing the final pricing page with AI tools Stop guessing at your pricing.  Use this scientific framework to build pricing pages that actually convert prospects into paying customers. Resources:

Would you trust your company's future to a team that's obsessed with precision, storytelling, and preparing for every possible scenario?In the high-stakes world of SaaS M&A, the difference between a good deal and a great one can change the course of a founder's life—and their legacy.In this episode, Diamond Innabi, Principal at Software Equity Group, reveals the behind-the-scenes secrets that drive SEG's 94% “first pass” success rate in vertical SaaS deals—plus the underrated factors that buyers and sellers often overlook (at their peril).You'll discover…The one storytelling move that instantly sets a SaaS business apart from every other deal on the tableWhat most founders don't know about “tension”—and why it may be the key to unlocking next-level M&A outcomesHow SEG's “overstaffed” model creates winning deals (and what happens when other firms focus on volume instead)The surprising region of the US most SaaS founders call home—and why it matters for buyers and investorsA new insurance hack that finally levels the playing field for smaller deals in the lower middle market

Lauren Petrullo, founder of Mongoose Media, dives deep into her revolutionary "Email Triage" strategy—an AI-enhanced approach to onboarding emails that radically departs from stale templates. Learn how she reengineers the traditional 5–14 email sequences into dynamic, ultra-relevant pathways that scale personalization without sacrificing automation. Whether you're running an eComm brand, SaaS startup, or B2B agency, this episode will challenge how you welcome leads and redefine your first impression. Tune in to discover how relevancy rules, and why your welcome email might just be your most powerful sales tool yet.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Lauren's Takeover of Perpetual Traffic00:00:41 - Why “Email Triage” Will Change Everything You Know About Onboarding00:02:27 - The Secret Sauce: Why Relevancy Beats Automation Every Time00:05:10 - Turning Cold Leads into Superfans with Personalized Sequences00:07:27 - What Happens When They Ghost You? Unsubscribes Done Right00:10:05 - Don't Miss This: How to Wow Returning Customers from Email #100:12:13 - Spotting the Serial Sign-Uppers — And Winning Them Back00:18:06 - Desktops vs. Mobile: How Device Data Powers Smarter Emails00:19:55 - Level-Up Time: Inside the Most Advanced Triage Tactics We Use00:21:34 - Crafting Hyper-Personalized Journeys at Scale00:21:59 - “Proof of Life” Emails: The Oddly Effective Trigger You're Ignoring00:23:44 - Beyond the Inbox: Why SMS + Email = Maximum Engagement00:27:13 - Boosting Open and Click Rates Without a Subject Line Trick00:35:03 - They're Not Clicking — Now What? Ninja Moves for Dead Leads00:40:47 - Wrapping with a Challenge: Rethink Your Email Game & Join the CommunityLINKS AND RESOURCES:Tier 11 JobsPerpetual Traffic on YouTubeTiereleven.comMongoose MediaPerpetual Traffic SurveyPerpetual Traffic WebsiteFollow Perpetual Traffic on TwitterConnect with Lauren on Instagram and Connect with Ralph on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Perpetual Traffic? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!Mentioned in this episode:Free Snapchat CreditsUnbounce - Code PT10off

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” But for online business owners, taxes aren't always so certain, especially when it comes to sales tax. In this episode, we're joined by Jessica Rhoads. Jessica is an internationally experienced CPA and self-confessed “dumpster fire accountant” who specializes in helping business owners untangle messy tax situations. We cover the key types of taxes every entrepreneur should understand, and zoom in on the one that's most commonly misunderstood, and most likely to derail a future exit: sales tax. Jessica breaks down how sales tax applies to non-tangible goods like SaaS products and apps, what triggers a sales tax nexus, and why ignoring it can lead to massive headaches during due diligence. She also shares insight on the best and worst states to set up your business from a tax standpoint, when to file a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA), and how to stay compliant if you're selling across borders. If you're building a business with the goal of selling one day, this episode is a must-listen. It could save you from tax troubles that scare off buyers, or cost you more than you bargained for. Topics Discussed in this episode: The different types of taxes businesses should be aware of (03:45) Why sales tax is so important when selling your business (06:49) How sales tax is applied to software and apps (11:43) An overview of sales tax nexus (17:30) The different tax softwares that can help you figure out your taxes (19:50) The best and worst states to set up your business in (23:07) How to stay compliant if you have sales tax nexus (28:16) How tax works if you're selling in foreign countries (30:37) When to file a VDA (33:56) A major misconception founders have about sales tax that hurts them later (39:39) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Jessicanomics.com Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to get your business taxes in order - before it's too late.  

Dan Uyemura, founder of the top-rated gym software company PushPress, joins Ryan Atkinson on The UpFlip Podcast to share his journey of building a successful SaaS business. As a former internet engineer and gym owner, Dan intimately understood the need for better software development in the fitness industry, leading him to create PushPress. This episode dives into the core challenges and triumphs of building a software company from the ground up.Learn about the surprising inspiration behind the company name, the long game strategy that drove  business growth, and the valuable lessons he learned about identifying market needs and building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).Tune in to hear Dan's candid insights on scaling a software platform, the importance of listening to customer feedback, and his unwavering commitment to providing genuine value. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to refine your business strategy, this episode offers a practical look into the SaaS market.Takeaways:- Entrepreneurship often involves turning frustrations into opportunities, as Dan built PushPress to solve his own problems with gym software.- Customer service can be a significant differentiator, especially in the early stages of building a SaaS company.- Authenticity and a genuine love for your customer base are crucial for long-term success in niche markets.- Scaling a vertical SaaS business can be a slow and steady process, requiring patience and perseverance.- Your initial product might be more of a learning tool, and you need to be prepared to rebuild or significantly iterate as you understand customer needs better.- Listening to customer feedback and allowing it to guide product development (like PushPress Grow) can lead to significant revenue streams.- Having a strong conviction about your product and target audience can help you make strategic decisions, including when to say "no" to potential clients.- A holistic marketing approach, including SEO and paid advertising, becomes important for sustained growth.- Building a successful SaaS company requires a long-term perspective and the ability to weather numerous challenges.- Providing value to your customers should be the primary driver, with financial success being a result of that value creation.Tags:  SaaS, Tech Ventures, Software Development, Business Growth, Business FundingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/3ZJxGqn Connect with Dan : https://www.instagram.com/danielsan/?hl=en

Ever made a costly mistake in a startup? David Hirschfeld, founder of the 17-year-strong custom software firm Tekyz, turned his "startup scars" into SaaS stardom. He shares the brutal honesty of a past venture hitting a wall and how that forged his unshakeable belief in rigorous client qualification. Discover his 5-minute method to identify serious prospects, why not charging from day one can be fatal, and how Tekyz is riding the AI wave to deliver massive client value. If you're building a tech business or consulting with startups/scale-ups, David's hard-won lessons are pure gold!

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer hosts Charles Beyrouthy, Managing Partner at Forma Prime, a venture capital firm, to explore the exciting intersection of deep technology and the future of education. We dive into the profound shifts happening in our world, from the cutting-edge advancements in quantum computing, new sensor technologies, and cybersecurity, as well as the impact of generative AI on all of this. Key Takeaways: Charles Beyrouthy's Journey: Charles shares his fascinating career path, from studying chemical engineering and biochemistry at UMass Amherst to accidentally falling into chemical engineering, working in microfluidics research, and eventually transitioning into oil and natural gas consulting before founding a lab software startup called LabCloud. The Boston Biotech Ecosystem: We discuss Boston's rise as a biotech hub, examining how VC firms like Flagship and Polaris provided not just funding but also operational support, placing executives and consultants to bridge the gap between IP-centric research and commercialization. This transformation was fueled by institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Boston University, and supported by a robust supplier base. Deep Tech Investment Landscape: Charles explains Forma Prime's focus on deep tech, particularly semiconductors, and why this sector sits uniquely between SaaS (low IP moat, high market following) and biotech (high IP moat, long regulatory cycles). Semiconductors offer a high IP moat, a low regulatory environment, and massive implementation potential. Quantum Technology & Its Applications: We delve into quantum computing, moving beyond the theoretical to discuss real-world applications like quantum GPS that don't rely on satellites and the system on the International Space Station which uses room-temperature neutral atom technology developed by Infleqtion. We also touch upon other use cases like quantum radio frequency technology and quantum GPS timekeeping for synchronization. Q Day and Cybersecurity: We also explore the concept of "Q Day" – the hypothetical point where quantum computers could break conventional encryption. While Charles believes conventional encryption standards like RSA 256 are still robust, he acknowledges the need for continued research and government support for quantum encryption. Gradient Technologies, a Forma Prime portfolio company, is pioneering hardware-authenticated access to enhance cybersecurity. Challenges in Academia and Industry Alignment: A critical theme is the disconnect between academia and entrepreneurial activity in the private sector. Charles advocates for better alignment in curricula, teaching styles, and practicums to ensure graduates emerge work-ready. He also emphasizes the need for professors to upskill in emerging technologies and for academia to prioritize practical application and societal value over purely academic pursuits. The Semiconductor Workforce Crisis: Charles issues a powerful call to action regarding the urgent need for skilled technicians and engineers in the US semiconductor industry. He highlights that we need at least 35,000 technicians for new fabs and urges educators to step forward to develop practical training programs to address this. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the bleeding edge of technology and its implications for our future. We unpack complex topics like quantum computing and its real-world applications, offering a clear and accessible overview. We also engage in a timely discussion about the critical role of education in preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving technological landscape, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry. Don't miss it! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify.

Peter Deng has led product teams at OpenAI, Instagram, Uber, Facebook, Airtable, and Oculus and helped build products used by billions—including Facebook's News Feed, the standalone Messenger app, Instagram filters, Uber Reserve, ChatGPT, and more. Currently he's investing in early-stage founders at Felicis. In this episode, Peter dives into his most valuable lessons from building and scaling some of tech's most iconic products and companies.What you'll learn:1. Peter's one‑sentence test for hiring superstars2. Why your product (probably) doesn't matter3. Why you don't need a tech breakthrough to build a huge business4. The five PM archetypes, and how to build a team of Avengers5. Counterintuitive lessons on growing products from 0 to 1, and 1 to 1006. The importance of data flywheels and workflows—Brought to you by:Paragon—Ship every SaaS integration your customers wantPragmatic Institute—Industry‑recognized product, marketing, and AI training and certificationsContentsquare—Create better digital experiences—Where to find Peter Deng:• X: https://x.com/pxd• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterxdeng/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Peter Deng(05:41) AI and AGI insights(11:35) The future of education with AI(16:53) The power of language in leadership(21:01) Building iconic products(36:44) Scaling from zero to 100(41:56) Balancing short- and long-term goals(47:12) Creating a healthy tension in teams(50:02) The five archetypes of product managers(55:39) Primary and secondary archetypes(58:47) Hiring for growth mindset and autonomy(01:15:52) Effective management and communication strategies(01:19:23) Presentation advice and self-advocacy(01:25:50) Balancing craft and practicality in product management(01:30:40) The importance of empathy in design thinking(01:35:45) Career decisions and learning opportunities(01:42:05) Lessons from product failures(01:45:42) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• OpenAI: https://openai.com/• Artificial general intelligence (AGI): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_general_intelligence• Head of ChatGPT answers philosophical questions about AI at SXSW 2024 with SignalFire's Josh Constine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgbgI0R6XCw• Professors Are Using A.I., Too. Now What?: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/1252663599/kashmir-hill-ai#:~:text=Now%20What• Herbert H. Clark: https://web.stanford.edu/~clark/• Russian speakers get the blues: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11759-russian-speakers-get-the-blues/• Ilya Sutskever (OpenAI Chief Scientist)—Building AGI, Alignment, Future Models, Spies, Microsoft, Taiwan, & Enlightenment: https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/ilya-sutskever• Anthropic's CPO on what comes next | Mike Krieger (co-founder of Instagram): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/anthropics-cpo-heres-what-comes-next• Kevin Systrom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsystrom/• Building a magical AI code editor used by over 1 million developers in four months: The untold story of Windsurf | Varun Mohan (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-untold-story-of-windsurf-varun-mohan• Microsoft CPO: If you aren't prototyping with AI, you're doing it wrong | Aparna Chennapragada: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/microsoft-cpo-on-ai• The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can't stop using | Michael Truell (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-rise-of-cursor-michael-truell• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (CEO and co-founder): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Granola: https://www.granola.ai/• Inside Bolt: From near-death to ~$40m ARR in 5 months—one of the fastest-growing products in history | Eric Simons (founder and CEO of StackBlitz): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/inside-bolt-eric-simons• OpenAI's CPO on how AI changes must-have skills, moats, coding, startup playbooks, more | Kevin Weil (CPO at OpenAI, ex-Instagram, Twitter): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/kevin-weil-open-ai• Fidji Simo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fidjisimo/• Airtable: https://www.airtable.com/• George Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geolee/• Andrew Chen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewchen/• Lauryn Motamedi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurynmotamedi/• Twilio: https://www.twilio.com/• Nick Turley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasturley/• Ian Silber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iansilber/• Thomas Dimson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdimson/• Joey Flynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-flynn-8291586b/• Ryan O'Rourke's website: https://www.rourkery.com/• Joanne Jang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jangjoanne/• Behind the founder: Marc Benioff: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/behind-the-founder-marc-benioff• Jill Hazelbaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-hazelbaker-3aa32422/• Guy Kawasaki's website: https://guykawasaki.com/• Eric Antonow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonow/• Sachin Kansal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachinkansal/• IDEO design thinking: https://designthinking.ideo.com/• The 7 Steps of the Design Thinking Process: https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration/design-thinking-process• Linear's secret to building beloved B2B products | Nan Yu (Head of Product): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/linears-secret-to-building-beloved-b2b-products-nan-yu• Jeff Bezos's quote: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27778175• Friendster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendster• Myspace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace• How LinkedIn became interesting: The inside story | Tomer Cohen (CPO at LinkedIn): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-linkedin-became-interesting-tomer-cohen• “Smile” by Jay-Z: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSumXG5_rs8&list=RDSSumXG5_rs8&start_radio=1• The Wire on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/the-wire• Felicis: https://www.felicis.com/—Recommended books:• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind: https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Humankind-Yuval-Noah-Harari/dp/0062316095• The Design of Everyday Things: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654• The Silk Roads: A New History of the World: https://www.amazon.com/Silk-Roads-New-History-World/dp/1101912375—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe