Podcasts about saastr

The hosts dissect Attio's AI-native CRM disrupting traditional customer management and examine the surprisingly resilient seed/Series B funding landscape despite economic headwinds. Learn how AI is fundamentally changing go-to-market playbooks, enabling tech companies to scale faster than ever before, and which AI sales tools have genuine staying power.Thanks for tuning in! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Key Moments:[02:07] AJ's Boating Adventure[04:05] Sam on Pavilion's CMO Summit and Personal Updates[06:56] Marketing and Revenue Insights[10:36] AI in Business[13:34] Economic Sentiment and Business Strategy[33:02] Hiring in Volatile Times[37:04] Compensation Strategies for Sales Teams[40:55] AI in Sales: A Conversation with an AI SDR Founder[48:06] The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing[01:00:15] Novel Uses of AI[01:08:54] Closing Remarks and Shoutouts

SaaStr 799: The Series A Landscape in 2025: Insights from Chemistry VC's Ethan Kurzweil SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin and Ethan Kurzwiel, previously partner at Bessemer Venture Partners and now founding partner at Chemistry VC, took us through a deep dive of exactly where Series A funding is right now in 2025. Current State of Early-Stage Venture Market The early-stage venture landscape has experienced significant shifts since the peaks of 2021. We're seeing: Deal activity decline: From the highs of 2021 (around 3.5B raised in Q4 2021), we're seeing a return to baseline levels but still below pre-zero interest rate era volumes. Longer funding timelines: Seed to Series A timelines have stretched from approximately 12 months to 25 months on average, requiring founders to plan for longer runways. More capital into fewer deals: While total capital deployment is returning to pre-2021 levels, it's being concentrated in fewer companies, making the environment more binary and competitive. Graduation rates plummeting: The percentage of seed companies successfully raising Series A has dropped significantly across all industries, creating a “crunch” for many startups. Listen in for more! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

LucidLink CEO and Co-founder Pete Thompson offers an inside look into how he rapidly scaled LucidLink, a company that transforms cloud storage into an accessible, high-performance drive. Pete discusses the critical steps and strategies that propelled the company from its inception in 2016, through struggles to find product-market fit, to achieving breakthrough success during the pandemic.Key Moments:[00:46] — Spotlight on Pete Thompson of LucidLink[01:42] — LucidLink's Innovative Cloud Storage Solution[03:09] — Finding the Ideal Customer and Product Market Fit[08:02] — Challenges and Breakthroughs During the Pandemic[18:21] — Rapid Growth and Fundraising Success[20:42] — Reflections and Future Outlook[23:05] — Closing Remarks and Recommendations[25:15] — Outro and Subscription InformationYou're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

What should founders and operators prioritize when the market swings 6% in a day? In this episode, Sam, Asad and AJ break down the fallout from historic tariff whiplash, trillion-dollar market swings, and the signals that separate resilient companies from risky bets. They debate:Defensive moves vs. offensive plays: When to cut costs, when to lean into growth, and why “profitable efficiency” is the new mantra.Customer psychology in chaos: Why “delay” is the word of the year—and how to combat it.The global ripple effect: How geopolitical instability impacts hiring, pricing, and even brand perception for U.S. companies abroad.AI, offshoring, and variable costs: Tactics to future-proof your team and margins.Plus, live data from Pavilion's pulse survey reveals how 56% of companies are already adjusting 2025 forecasts—and why the CEOs argue volatility isn't going away. Whether you're debating layoffs, M&A, or just how to sleep at night, this episode is your survival guide."Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion? You're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Key Moments:[01:19] – Market Volatility & Whiplash[07:07] – Defensive Strategies for Volatile Times[31:36] – Customer Psychology: Fighting "Delay" Mindset[47:01] – People Strategy: Building a Resilient Team[57:52] – Offensive Plays: When to Attack[01:05:41] – Wins & Fails

SaaStr 798: The Top 10 Reasons to Come to 2025 SaaStr Annual May 13-15 in SF Bay with SaaStr CEO Jason Lemkin SaaStr Annual is almost here! And we delve into the key reasons why you should attend SaaStr Annual 2025, happening from May 13th to 15th in the SF Bay Area. Learn about the unparalleled networking opportunities, including opt-in one-on-one meetings, braindates, and C-level summits. Discover how the event can help you meet potential C-suite hires and VCs, and stay ahead of the latest in B2B SaaS, Cloud, and AI through hundreds of workshops and sessions. Don't miss out on the chance to be inspired by top industry leaders and get actionable insights for your business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most SaaS companies don't fail because they grow too slowly—they fail because they grow too fast and ignore the warning signs.In this episode of Topline Spotlight, the team engages with Michael Dzik, an operating partner at Radian Capital. Mike shares insights from his extensive experience in the B2B technology sector, discussing the challenges and strategies for companies at different stages of their growth. Key topics include identifying growth stall points, the importance of product flexibility, the role of customer discovery, and best practices in pricing and packaging. Mike emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and reveals how Radian Capital supports companies through various investment approaches. Additionally, Mike recommends notable books he is currently reading, such as 'Blood Meridian' and 'The Mosquito'.Key Moments:00:00 — Introduction to Top Line Podcast00:45 — Spotlight on Michael Dzik02:21 — Radian Capital's Investment Strategy06:05 — Challenges and Solutions in Vertical SaaS19:36 — Insights on Pricing and Packaging21:59 — Book Recommendations and Closing RemarksYou're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

In this episode, Sam, Asad, and AJ sit down with Ben Kus, Chief Technology Officer at Box, to unpack how AI is reshaping enterprise tech—from the seismic shift to cloud-native infrastructure to the rise of AI agents that collaborate across platforms. We dive into the realities of leading through volatility, why AI adoption is moving faster than past platform shifts, and how enterprises can navigate the “FOMO” of generative AI without sacrificing trust. Plus, Ben's take on the future of software engineering, the myth of “non-technical founders,” and the books that keep him thinking ahead.Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion? You're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Key Moments:[01:14] – Meet Ben Kus: Box's AI Visionary[05:26] – Leading Through Volatility: COVID, ZIRP, and AI's Sudden Rise[11:57] – Why AI Adoption Is Moving Faster Than Cloud or Mobile[17:05] – Data Security in the Age of AI: Box's Guardrails[24:17] – AI Agents: The Next Frontier (or Hype)?[31:41] – Open vs. Walled Gardens: The Future of Enterprise Platforms[38:45] – Is Software Engineering Still a Valuable Skill?[46:33] – Stagnation, Patience, and the Long Game

Centralize's Co-Founders Rachit Kataria and William Wang tackle one of the most common sales challenges: deals stall when teams fail to connect with the right stakeholders. Their solution? Visualizing relationship networks to identify gaps, leverage extended connections, and ensure engagement with decision-makers. Listen to this week's episode to learn how to turn relationship intelligence into a competitive advantage in high-stakes sales.3:10 - Why deals are won at the individual level, not account level5:30 - Common multi-threading challenges in complex sales7:15 - Visualizing relationship networks to identify gaps9:40 - Leveraging extended connections to reach decision-makers12:05 - Balancing feature richness with user adoption14:30 - Key takeaways for sales leadersYou're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

Join Jason Lemkin and Sam Blond as they discuss the evolving role of AI in sales and marketing. Featuring insights from SaaStr's CRO Confidential Series with Rippling, Databricks, and Toast, this episode explores how AI is reshaping the sales landscape. Learn about the impact of AI on productivity, the effectiveness of cold calls, and how technical sales require specific expertise. Don't miss out on these valuable lessons and real-world examples from top industry leaders!   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do so many sales hires fail? In this episode, Ben Tagoe, CEO of Objective Management Group, breaks down the three critical components when assessing sales hires: fundamental selling skills, sales-specific beliefs, and mindset. Discover how bringing science to the art of sales talent development can dramatically reduce costly hiring mistakes.You're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

Many companies hit a growth ceiling—not because of a lack of ideas, talent, or market opportunity, but because they lack operational rigor. In this episode, we sit down with Anna Talerico, CEO of Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), to unpack how she tackled this challenge head-on.Anna shares her journey of stepping into a successful yet “execution-challenged” organization and the hard lessons she learned in implementing structure, accountability, and speed. She reveals why traditional operating systems weren't enough, how she introduced company-wide sprints to drive alignment, and the key frameworks that finally got her team rowing in the same direction.Join Chargebee at Beelieve in San Francisco on April 8th & 9th and London on May 8th. Use the code PAVILION for a free ticket.Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion? New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for expert insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Key chapters:(00:00) - Introduction to CFI and Anna Talerico(02:58) - Anna's Journey: From Bootstrapper to CEO(05:52) - Operational Rigor: The Need for Structure(09:02) - Establishing an Operating System(11:56) - The Pillars of an Effective Operating System(14:59) - Implementing Sprints for Alignment and Focus(18:05) - Maintaining Momentum and Accountability(20:53) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations

SaaStr 796: The Secrets Inside Google Cloud's Growth with Sarah Kennedy, Vice President Google Cloud Marketing   In our latest episode of the SaaStr What's New series, SaaStr CEO and founder Jason Lemkin spoke with Sarah Kennedy, VP of Google Cloud Marketing. The conversation explores the explosive growth of Google Cloud and what's driving this momentum. Kennedy highlights the critical role AI plays in their success, from Google's world-class infrastructure to the cutting-edge AI models like Vertex AI and Gemini. We dive into the specifics of why startups and enterprises are increasingly choosing Google Cloud, the importance of customer-centric strategies, and the shift towards developer-led decisions. We also explore Google Cloud's major partnership with Salesforce and how AI and security are transforming business strategies. Tune in for insights on how Google Cloud is shaping the future of AI and stay ahead of the curve with expert tips on leveraging these technologies for your business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When does healthy competition cross the line into corporate espionage? In this episode, we dive into the explosive saga unfolding between HR tech giants Rippling and Deel. What started as a high-growth race has spiraled into lawsuits, spy allegations, and one of the most bizarre B2B scandals in recent memory — complete with honeypots, toilet phones, and Slack search histories. But beyond the drama, this story reveals deeper truths about culture, leadership, and the risks of growing at all costs. We unpack what really happened, why it matters, and how every tech company should take note.Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion? New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for GTM insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Key Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction to Topline Podcast(01:30) - Birds and Neighbors: A Lighthearted Start(04:12) - Corporate Espionage: The Rippling and Deal Saga(11:08) - The Dark Side of Competition(17:38) - Personal Experiences with Corporate Espionage(24:04) - The Impact of Reputation on Employment(30:06) - Crisis Communication Strategies(34:17) - Navigating Modern PR Strategies(37:12) - The Talent Wars: Headhunting and Recruitment Dynamics(39:42) - The Impact of M&A on Employee Wealth(41:44) - The Wiz Acquisition: A Case Study in Market Dynamics(46:47) - LinkedIn's Scraping Controversy and Its Implications(52:19) - The Future of LinkedIn and Creator Dynamics

Snipd CEO Kevin Smith shares how his team navigated the challenge of monetizing their app after realizing they couldn't rely on investor funding and were headed toward bankruptcy. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, Kevin shares the emotional highs and lows of launching Snipd's monetization strategy, handling user backlash, and questioning whether they made the right move. He also reveals the unexpected moment that reassured him they were on the right path and how Snipd turned a tough challenge into a sustainable business.Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion? New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for expert insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!Key chapters:(00:00) - Introduction to Snip and Its Features(02:47) - Facing Financial Challenges as a Startup(06:12) - Transitioning to a Freemium Model(08:57) - User Reactions to Monetization(11:52) - Finding Validation Through User Feedback(15:05) - Lessons Learned and Future Outlook(17:49) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations

SaaStr 795: The AI Impact on Banking and Finance with CEO and Co-founder at Treasury Prime, Chris Dean Join SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin and Chris Dean from Treasury Prime as they delve into the intricate world of Banking as a Service (BaaS) and FinTech. The discussion spans a host of critical topics, including the fallout from Silicon Valley Bank, the complexities of reconciliation, Synapse and Evolve's banking controversy, and the evolving financial landscape. They also explore the resurgence of FinTech, the impact of AI on banking operations, and Treasury Prime's upcoming AI-powered operational tools. A must-watch for anyone interested in the future of banking and financial technology.    ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   ------------------------------------

In this milestone episode, Sam, Asad, and AJ reflect on how they've grown as leaders, how their perspectives have evolved, and what lessons they've learned along the way. We discuss the increasing difficulty of leadership in volatile times and why mental resilience is more critical than ever. From the exhaustion of constant adaptation to the importance of maintaining optimism, we explore the realities of leading through uncertainty and why community—rather than isolation—is the key to enduring these challenges. Thank you for being a listener.   Thank you to everyone who has supported Topline on the way to our 100th.   Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for GTM insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key Chapters: (00:00) - Celebrating 100 Episodes (03:00) - Reflections on Longevity and Health (05:46) - Navigating Economic Volatility (09:03) - Mental Health and Leadership (11:49) - Lessons from the Past Episodes (15:07) - The Impact of External Factors on Business (18:00) - The Role of Community in Times of Change (20:47) - Communication Strategies in Uncertain Times (23:49) - Embracing Individuality in Business (27:06) - Forecasting in a Volatile Environment (35:16) - Navigating Personal Health Amid Market Volatility (38:08) - The Outlook for 2025 and 2026 (41:52) - Investment Opportunities in Times of Crisis (44:34) - The Importance of Community and Connection (50:25) - Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution (01:01:59) - Memorable Conversations and Reflections  

SaaStr 794: The Top 10 Customer Success Metrics Investors Care About in 2025 with Gainsight CEO Nick Mehta   Nick Mehta is the CEO of Gainsight, the customer success platform that helps businesses deliver value to customers and drive scalable growth.   Over the past 12 years, Nick has met with more than 5,000 companies and hundreds of investors, becoming one of the foremost authorities on customer success strategies. In this engaging presentation, Nick discusses the crucial role of customer success in driving business growth and securing investments. He breaks down the top 10 questions investors grill companies about, covering key metrics like net retention, gross retention, and early warning indicators. Nick also highlights the importance of customer stickiness, value demonstration, and efficient customer success operations.   Additionally, he shares a personal story of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, drawing parallels between the entrepreneurial journey and the challenging yet rewarding climb to success.   ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

In this Topline Spotlight episode, Demetra Anagnostopoulos, CCO at SurePeople, shares insights on navigating a critical shift in SurePeople's Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) from serving large enterprises to targeting startups. Demetra dives into the challenges of aligning customer success processes, redefining customer journeys, and ensuring her team has the skills to manage diverse expectations. Demetra emphasizes the importance of avoiding organizational silos, fostering cross-team collaboration, and leveraging data-driven approaches.   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for expert insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (04:59) - Navigating Innovation and Market Changes (10:55) - Customer Success and New ICP Challenges (15:35) - Leveraging Data for Team Dynamics (18:39) - Inspirational Resources and Closing Thoughts  

SaaStr 793: The 10-Point Checklist For When You Sell Your Company with David Frankel Managing Partner at Founder Collective and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin David Frankel is Managing Partner at Founder Collective, a successful seed fund with investments in companies like The Trade Desk, Olo, and Coupang. With decades of experience as both a founder and investor, David brings a unique perspective to the often-misunderstood process of selling a company. He openly admits that many of his past exits were mistakes, which makes his advice on the topic particularly valuable. He joined SaaStr Workshop Wednesday LIVE to do a deep dive with Jason Lemkin on his 10 Point Checklist when you sell your startup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AI is revolutionizing the way revenue teams operate, but how much of the hype is real? In this episode of Topline, Sam, AJ, and Asad are joined by Kyle Norton to dive deep into how AI is actually being used in go-to-market strategies. They explore the balance between centralized AI tools and individual adoption, the impact of AI on productivity, and whether AI is leveling the playing field or widening the gap between top and bottom performers. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of ARR in a world shifting toward usage-based pricing, the importance of execution as a company's true competitive advantage, and how leadership teams can effectively communicate vision and strategy without falling into bureaucratic traps.   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for GTM insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (02:46) - Personal Updates and Market Reflections (05:58) - The Impact of AI on Work (12:32) - Operationalizing AI in Business (17:57) - Balancing Centralization and Individual Creativity (22:44) - Quantifying AI's Impact (26:57) - Deep Research and AI Applications (33:14) - The Future of ARR and Revenue Models (40:26) - Understanding Usage-Based Pricing (43:10) - Valuation and Revenue Streams (46:05) - Communicating Business Value (49:47) - The Role of Values in Organizations (56:30) - Balancing Structure and Flexibility (01:01:44) - The Importance of Operating Systems (01:07:25) - Personal Motivations and Chips on Shoulders

SaaStr 792: Why I'm Scared to Buy New SaaS Apps Now with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin highlights nine key reasons that create friction in the modern SaaS buying cycle. He emphasizes how these factors can deter new customers and impact overall growth. Through examples involving well-known companies and the importance of a seamless customer experience, Founders are encouraged to evaluate and reduce these hurdles within their own SaaS products to ensure they remain true to "Software As a Service." ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    

The AI market is noisy, but real business value is hard to prove. In this episode, Alon Talmor, CEO of Ask-AI, tackles the biggest challenge in AI adoption—demonstrating measurable ROI. He shares why many AI solutions fail to justify their cost, how Ask AI approaches value-driven AI, and what businesses should consider before investing.   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for expert insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Alon Talmor and Ask.ai (02:50) - The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on B2B Customer Experience (06:04) - Challenges in Differentiating AI Solutions (08:54) - The Importance of Value Selling in AI (11:48) - Measuring ROI and Productivity in AI (14:58) - Future Trends in AI and Customer Experience (18:09) - Consolidation of Tools and Final Thoughts

SaaStr 791: CRO Confidential: How Codium Built A Billion-Dollar AI Company and a Winning Sales Machine with VP of Worldwide Sales, Graham Moreno Join us on this episode of CRO Confidential as host Sam Blond dives into the remarkable journey of Codium's VP of Worldwide Sales, Graham Moreno. Discover how Graham led Codium from a 30-employee startup to a unicorn with 150 employees in just one year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of Topline, we sit down with Ryan Burke, VP of Sales at CyberArk (former VP of Sales at Zilla Security), to dive deep into the $175 million acquisition of Zilla. Ryan shares what it's really like to navigate an exit in today's market—from the unexpected nature of M&A deals to the grueling due diligence process and the tough decisions that founders and executives face. We also explore the evolving cybersecurity landscape, why big platforms are scooping up smaller companies earlier, and how AI is both a threat and an opportunity in the industry. Plus, we discuss the power of trusted networks in sales, whether the "Rolodex hire" is making a comeback, and how partnerships are shaping go-to-market strategies.   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for GTM insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key Chapters: (00:00) - The Exciting Exit of Zilla Security (07:40) - Navigating the Acquisition Process (16:19) - The Impact of Market Conditions on Startups (25:04) - Sales Team Dynamics During Transitions (32:32) - Trends in Cybersecurity and AI's Role (35:20) - Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges (38:38) - Mergers and Acquisitions in Cybersecurity (40:32) - The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity (43:14) - The Role of Trusted Networks in Sales (49:06) - Innovative Partnerships and Their Importance (01:00:01) - Effective Communication in Professional Settings  

SaaStr 790: AI at Scale: 8 Learnings from monday.com Co-Founder and Co-Ceo Eran Zinman and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin Join us for an inspiring conversation with monday.com co-CEO and Co-Founder Eran Zinman and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin. From humble beginnings at $10 million ARR in 2017 to smashing the $1 billion ARR mark in just eight years, Eran shares their journey, challenges, and strategies that have fueled their remarkable growth. Discover the importance of customer diversity, maintaining NRR and GRR levels, leveraging AI for business efficiencies, and the impact of adopting a multi-product approach. Learn how monday.com effectively manages SMB, mid-market, and enterprise customers, and gain valuable insights into the future of AI in SaaS solutions. Perfect for SaaS founders and tech enthusiasts looking for proven strategies to scale their businesses.   ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do you build a revenue engine that doesn't just generate pipeline—but generates the right pipeline? In this episode, Kyle Lacy, CMO of Jellyfish, shares how his team tackled one of the biggest challenges in B2B go-to-market: pipeline predictability.   In this episode of Topline Spotlight, Kyle explains why traditional metrics like Stage 1 pipeline weren't cutting it, how Jellyfish revamped its approach with deeper segmentation and leading indicators, and the impact of launching a Pipeline Council to align sales and marketing around quality, not just volume. Sam, Asad, and Kyle also touch on the biggest forecasting mistakes GTM teams make, why tracking pipeline per rep, source, and channel is a game-changer, how AI is reshaping marketing strategy, and what it takes to be a great CMO in 2025.   Are you being paid what you're worth? Help us refresh Pavilion's industry-standard compensation report for 2025 by taking our anonymous survey at joinpavilion.com/comp and get early access to the results!   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for expert insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Top Line Spotlight (02:20) - Overview of Jellyfish and Its Purpose (04:15) - Addressing Challenges with Leading Indicators (09:50) - The Shift to Marketing for Engineers (11:42) - The Role of AI in Modern Marketing (16:22) - Inspiration and Closing Thoughts  

SaaStr 789: 10 Things No One Tells You About Getting Acquired for $1.5B Steve Mitzenmacher, Former Vice President Corporate Development, Own Company Join Steve Mitzenmacher as he reveals the hidden truths about getting acquired for $1.5 billion. Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate development, Steve discusses the rare odds of closing a deal, the unseen challenges, and the insider dynamics that play a crucial role in successful acquisitions. From pre-LOI preparations to integration post-closing, explore valuable lessons and strategic advice to navigate the complex M&A landscape. Learn why relationships matter, the importance of managing expectations, and how to leverage negotiations in your favor. Don't miss these key insights that can make or break your next big deal. ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Kellogg is a seasoned venture capitalist, serial tech executive, and one of the most respected voices in SaaS metrics. As an Entrepreneur in Residence at Balderton Capital, he brings decades of experience leading companies like Host Analytics, Salesforce, MarkLogic, and Business Objects (acquired by SAP). A sought-after speaker, Dave's SaaStr talks consistently rank among the most watched, and he's known for his bold predictions and sharp analysis of industry trends. He is also an advisor, director, blogger, and podcaster, sharing insights that shape the future of SaaS and enterprise software. In this conversation, we discuss:Dave Kellogg's bold predictions for 2025 and how he scored himself on last year's forecasts, from AI's continued hype cycle to the rise of PR as the new SEO.Why venture capital is evolving, with AI-first companies reshaping funding strategies and a widening gap between US and European investment trends.The future of search—why traditional SEO may be dying and how businesses must adapt to AI-driven content discovery.The unlikely revival of branding—how companies are rediscovering brand differentiation in a "sea of sameness" where SaaS products look increasingly alike.AI's impact on SaaS metrics and go-to-market strategies—can AI-driven sales and marketing tools help companies achieve the Rule of 40?The future of LinkedIn and social media in business—Dave's concerns about LinkedIn's engagement-driven model and why it might be entering the "social media death cycle."Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Dave Kellogg on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How AI is Making Networks Smart 

Is outbound sales really dead, or are we just doing it wrong? In this episode of Topline, AJ and Asad dive into one of the most debated topics in B2B sales—whether outbound still works in today's market. Asad argues that companies with strong product-market fit can still crush outbound, while AJ pushes back, saying it's no longer the best way to scale. They break down cold call connect rates, changing sales tactics, and why partner-led growth and brand marketing are taking center stage.   Are you being paid what you're worth? Help us refresh Pavilion's industry-standard compensation report for 2025 by taking our anonymous survey at joinpavilion.com/comp and get early access to the results!   Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?    New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday with new Topline Spotlight mini-episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to never miss an episode.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments, emerging go-to-market trends, and valuable benchmarking data. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter for GTM insights from Asad Zaman every Thursday.   Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. He dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success as a revenue leader, featuring real operators like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.   Your're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   Key Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (05:00) - Board Meeting Insights and Dynamics (15:08) - Investor Sentiment and Market Challenges (19:56) - The State of Outbound Sales (30:12) - Debating Outbound Sales Effectiveness (34:06) - The Evolution of Status Symbols in Tech (39:33) - Shifting Metrics of Success (43:13) - The Changing Landscape of Startup Equity (50:29) - The Life's Work Mentality vs. Exit Strategy (56:27) - The Role of Human Interaction in AI (01:00:27) - Lessons from Recent Failures  

SaaStr 788: The Real Data on What it Takes to Go Big and Eventually IPO with Meritech Capital Join Alex Clayton and Kathy Choi from Meritech Capital as they delve into the path to IPO for SaaS companies. With 25 years of experience and over 60 IPOs, they explore the size, performance, qualitative factors, and post-IPO success metrics that matter. Learn essential considerations for going public, from creating a compelling story to demonstrating durable growth, operational excellence, and predictable business outcomes. They also provide case studies of successful companies like HubSpot and CrowdStrike, underscoring the importance of durable, long-term revenue growth and strategic multi-product approaches. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Synopsis: Venture capital is evolving, and so is biotech. In this episode of Biotech 2050, host Alok Tayi, CEO and co-founder of VibeBio, sits down with Alex Bangash, Founder of Transpose, an investment firm backing both startups and funds. With over 20 years of experience in venture investing, Alex shares his unconventional journey from engineering to investing and how his unique perspective has shaped his approach to funding. He breaks down the shifting startup landscape, the critical role of LPs in biotech, and why AI is a game-changer for both tech and life sciences. Alex also offers sharp insights into what it takes to build a successful venture fund today and the structural shifts that are redefining the industry. Whether you're a founder, investor, or biotech enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on navigating the future of venture capital. Biography: Alex Bangash is the Founder of Transpose Platform, an anchor fund for the most disruptive venture funds of this decade. He is also the co-founder and former CEO of Trusted Insight, a machine learning–driven platform that hosts the world's largest network of institutional investors. Prior to TI Platform, Alex managed capital for clients at premier endowments, foundations, family offices, insurance firms, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds since 2003. He has helped invest over $2 billion in 50 funds with a track record of investing over $1 billion in 50+ funds for institutional investors with an IRR of 30%+ and a 2x NAV. He advised the first checks in Accel, First Round Capital, Founders Fund, Emergence, Y Combinator, Khosla, SaaStr, Initialized, Crystal Towers, and Baseline. Earlier in his career, Alex was an engineer and executive at AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Bell Labs, and GE. Alex holds an MBA from the Wharton School (where he is a frequent guest lecturer); an M.Eng. in Operations Research from Cornell, and a BS in Computer Science, English, and Economics from Cornell.

SaaStr 787: The 2025 SaaS Vibe Check: What Founders Need to Know Right Now with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin delves into a comprehensive 2025 vibe check, focusing on the state of tech, AI, and SaaS industries. He discusses the returning presence of founders in San Francisco, the resurgence of venture capital interest reminiscent of 2021, and the significant shift towards AI and AI-native investments. Additionally, he addresses the challenges faced by B2B founders, the importance of rapid product development, and the evolving dynamics of the venture capital landscape. Key insights include the rise of AI applications within SaaS, the critical need for growth over mere profitability, and practical advice for startups looking to secure funding or hire their first account executive. The session concludes with an open Q&A. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you'll find anywhere else. If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don't wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com See you in May!  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it! Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SaaStr 786: Going Long: How Procore's Founder Tooey Courtemanche Built a Billon-Dollar SaaS Empire Over 23 Years What does it take to build and scale a vertical SaaS giant over two decades? According to Tooey Courtemanche, CEO and Founder of Procore, it's about focus, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to customer success. In a recent conversation with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin, Tooey shared insights into his 23-year journey as CEO of Procore, the leading SaaS platform for construction management. From surviving economic downturns to scaling into a multi-product enterprise serving millions, Procore's story is a masterclass in vertical SaaS excellence. Tooey offers insights into maintaining work-life balance, strategic shifts during the financial crisis, transitions to multi-product offerings, and the impact of AI in the construction industry. Tooey also emphasizes the importance of customer-centricity and how Procore's brand has become ubiquitous in the U.S. construction market while exploring new international territories. Whether you're a SaaS enthusiast, a founder, or interested in the construction tech landscape, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and forward-thinking strategies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier this year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 785: The Playbook for Going Upmarket with Stripe's CBO, Jeanne Dewitt Grosser, and Checkr's COO, Lindsey Scrase Want to know when to move upmarket and how to actually pull it off? Jeanne Dewitt Grosser, Chief Business Officer at Stripe, and Lindsey Scrase, COO at Checkr, have done it multiple times at companies like Google Cloud, Stripe, and Checkr. They came to SaaStr Annual to share what they've learned about making the move to go more enterprise actually work. They dive into their professional histories, strategies for startups when targeting and pivoting to enterprise markets, and the signals to watch for before making the leap. Learn from their experiences, including the importance of an aligned company push, the evolution of pricing, and tips for managing unit economics efficiently. Don't miss their actionable advice on understanding unit economics and building a solid operating model to enhance your business success. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 784: From $1M to $3B ARR: Databricks CRO Ron Gabrisko on Scaling a Revenue Rocket Ship In the latest episode of SaaStr's CRO Confidential Series, our host Sam Blond sits down with Ron Gabrisko, CRO of Databricks, to unpack the journey from $1M in ARR to crossing $3B ARR at the end of January 2025. With Databricks now one of the largest pre-IPO technology companies, with $10 billion of expected non-dilutive financing and a valuation of $62 billion, Ron's insights are gold for any revenue leader looking to scale. Dive into the journey of Databricks, from its early days with less than a million in ARR to becoming one of the largest pre-IPO technology companies. Ron shares his insights on the importance of having a technical background in sales, strategic hiring, and the evolution of Databricks' pricing and customer acquisition strategies. Learn how leveraging unique business advantages and building strong community ties with customers can drive exponential growth. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned revenue leader, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 783: How to Build a World-Class Customer Success Machine - Top Lessons from the CRO of Notion and VP of CS at GitHub Join Erica Anderson, CRO of Notion and Abbas Haider Ali, VP of CS at GitHub, as they share their unique experiences and professional journey starting at GitHub and continuing to Notion. Learn about building effective customer success teams, the importance of the right KPIs, balancing investments, and fostering great CRO-CCO relationships. Find out how both structured and pod organizational models can contribute to business growth, and gain insights into effective monetization strategies for various customer-facing roles. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 782: The Future of AI in B2B SaaS: Insights from Synthesia's CEO and Theory Ventures. Hosted by SaaStr CEO Jason Lemkin As the AI revolution accelerates, it can be hard to keep up with the pace of innovation. SaaStr's AI Day 2025 brought together the top minds in the SaaS, AI and Cloud to dive deep into the intersection of AI and B2B. Featuring insights from Victor Rippabelli, CEO of Synthesia, and Tomas Tunguz of Theory Ventures, Jason Lemkin leads the discussion that covered everything from enterprise AI adoption to the evolution of video technology and the changing landscape of venture funding.  Learn about the latest advancements in AI video models and how they enhance productivity and innovation. The discussion also explores the evolving landscape of venture funding in AI, the impact of cheaper AI models on enterprise costs, the dynamics of seat-based vs. outcome-based software pricing, and the future of AI agents in business workflows. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the current and future state of AI in the enterprise. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 781: The RevOps Playbook: Owner.com CRO's Secrets to Scaling Join Kyle Norton, CRO at Owner.com, as he dives into the fundamentals of operating a revenue team with excellence. In this 40-minute session, Kyle outlines his SaaS-focused 'revenue operating system,' inspired by analogies of the Iron Man suit. Learn about the four key components crucial for predictable revenue growth: measuring, managing, planning, and communicating. Kyle shares practical tools, metrics, and rhythms designed to streamline business operations, turning chaos into order and accelerating organizational growth. Gain insights from his extensive experience and take away actionable steps and templates to implement immediately in your own business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 780: 9 Things You Can Do to Grow Faster this Year with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin Join us for this insightful podcast where SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin discusses the key strategies to differentiate a successful year from a mediocre one. Focusing on 9 practical and effective layers to add to your business, this session covers everything from outbound strategy, customer conferences, and going multi-product, to the importance of customer success and global expansion. Learn from real-world examples and actionable advice to drive your growth and add value effectively.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 789: What to Expect from a New CRO with Kathy Lord, CRO at Zensai and Jason Lemkin, SaaStr CEO and Founder SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin sat down with Kathy Lord, CRO of Zensai (and formerly of Intacct), to talk about what CEOs and CROs should really expect from one another, especially in those critical first 90 days. Kathy shares her journey and insights, and together they discuss the critical aspects CEOs and founders should align on when hiring a CRO or VP of Sales, the importance of having a real 90-day plan, and the differences in expectations between a CRO and a VP of Sales. Kathy provides actionable takeaways for ensuring alignment and setting realistic goals while addressing common pitfalls in hiring executive sales roles. This episode is packed with valuable strategies and real-world examples, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in scaling up SaaS companies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 788: Going Multi-Product in the Age of AI with Webflow, Rubrik, Zoom, and ProductBoard At SaaStr Annual's AI Summit, we asked product leaders from some of the fastest-growing SaaS companies to share their insights on navigating the AI revolution while scaling multi-product strategies. This panel of product leaders featured Anneka Gupta, CPO at Rubrik, Mahesh Ram, Head of AI Product at Zoom, Hubert Palan, CEO at Productboard, and Rachel Wolan, CPO at Webflow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 787: 10 Ways Sales is Different in Vertical SaaS with Mangomint's VP of Sales Marchelle Mooney While some might dismiss sector-specific vertical SaaS software as ‘too small' or ‘too niche', companies like Veeva ($40B), Clio ($3B), Toast ($1.3B), and Slice ($1B) have proven there's massive value in going deep rather than broad. Mangomint has quietly built an impressive vertical SaaS business in the spa and salon space, growing 100% year-over-year to approach $20M ARR with 110% NRR. So we asked Mangomint's VP of Sales Marchelle Mooney to share 10 ways sales is different in vertical SaaS. Marchelle's personal journey took her from early adopter of Mangomint, to 6 years later, VP of Sales over a 25+ person SMB sales team. Here's some of what she's learned along the way. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

SaaStr 786: Adding AI to SaaS: Inside the AI Product Strategies of Figma, Cloudflare, GitHub and Ramp At SaaStr Annual's AI Summit, we gathered an all-star panel of product leaders who have built some of the most widely-used AI features in production today. The speakers included Mario Rodriguez, Chief Product Officer at GitHub at GitHub, Diego Zaks, VP of Design at Ramp, Dane Knecht, SVP of Emerging Technologies at Cloudflare, and Vincent van der Meulen, Design Engineer at Figma, and Dani Grant, CEO at Jam.dev. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 785: Usage-Based Revenue Models: Successes and Pitfalls from Checkr COO Lindsey Scrase on CRO Confidential In the latest episode of our SaaStr CRO Confidential podcast, host Sam Blond sat down with Lindsey Scrase, COO of Checkr (and former CRO), to discuss her tactics for driving growth at the background screening unicorn. Lindsey shares valuable lessons on transitioning from a CRO to COO role, how usage-based pricing effected commission structures, leveraging data for operational improvements, aligning incentives to drive company success, and enhancing customer experience to ensure long-term growth. Dive deep into the strategic approaches that have led Checkr to become a $5 billion generational SaaS business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 784: What Really Works When Hiring VPs and Executive Teams with HubSpot Co-Founder and Chairman Brian Halligan and SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin The success rate for executive hires at high-growth SaaS companies can be surprisingly low - you're often lucky if 50-60% of your management team works out long-term. In a recent conversation between HubSpot Chairman and co-founder Brian Halligan and SaaStr Founder and CEO Jason Lemkin, they shared their advice on what actually works when hiring VPs and building your SaaS executive team.  

Dave is joined by Jason Lemkin. Jason is the founder of SaaStr, the world's largest community of SaaS executives, founders, and entrepreneurs. Before SaaStr, Jason founded EchoSign, which was sold to Adobe in 2011.They discuss:Why Jason started SaaStrWhat makes a great VP of Marketing in SaaS and how to hire oneHow tech and SaaS have changed since 2020CROs vs CMOsImportance of alignment between the CEO and marketing teamTimestamps(00:00) - - Intro (07:26) - - Understanding the Importance of Revenue Goals (10:50) - - Evolving Motivations and Changing Perspectives (14:56) - - From Solopreneur to Founder: The Journey of Exit Five (18:52) - - The Challenge of Transitioning from Solopreneurship (20:51) - - Insights into Jason's Content Creation Process (23:35) - - Efficiency in writing: a five-minute rule (30:34) - - LinkedIn: A Haven for Text-Based Writers (32:00) - - LinkedIn's Good Community and Marketing Potential (36:36) - - Importance of Building Relationships in Business (41:21) - - Marketing Essentials: Brand, Field, Demand, Growth (43:58) - - Finding the Right Fit: Aligning Marketing Roles with Company Vision (47:03) - - Finding Alignment: The Role of Marketing in Company Leadership (51:15) - - CROs and Marketing (54:04) - - Balancing Heads: Sales, Marketing, and Post-Sales in SaaS Leadership (57:24) - - Event Planning (59:19) - - SaaStr: Connecting Founders and Revenue Professionals Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.comJoin the Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterCheck out the Exit Five job board: https://jobs.exitfive.com/Become an Exit Five member: https://community.exitfive.com/checkout/exit-five-membership***This episode of the Exit Five podcast is brought to you by our friends at Paramark. You've heard it before – every B2B marketer's top pain point is marketing attribution. It's complicated, messy, and too often leads to fights with your CRO over whose lead deserves credit.That's where Paramark steps in. Their platform makes it simple to understand what's driving results (and what isn't) with tools like marketing mix modeling and incremental testing. No more relying on outdated click attribution or chasing UTM links. Instead, Paramark gives you actionable insights across channels, campaigns, and geographies to help you grow.Paramark's founder & CEO Pranav has been in your shoes as a B2B marketer. He's so passionate about solving this problem, he's offering listeners a free brand assessment. Pranav will personally analyze your brand's performance and share his insights—an opportunity you don't want to miss.Slots are limited, so act fast. Head to paramark.com/brand-consult to claim your spot. Trust us, this is worth your time.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

SaaStr 783: HubSpot Co-Founder and Chairman Brian Halligan on SaaS Markets and AI (Part 1) SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin recently sat down with HubSpot Chairman and co-founder Brian Halligan, who shared valuable insights on the current state of SaaS, evolving board meeting formats, and how AI is reshaping the industry. Here are the key takeaways from part 1 of this interview. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:00 Early Days and Growth of HubSpot 02:41 IPO Reflections and Market Insights 04:06 Regrets and Lessons Learned 06:38 Public Company Challenges and Board Dynamics 14:03 Innovative Board Meeting Formats 21:15 The Dreaded Monday Morning Meeting 22:10 Meta Learnings and SaaS Market Vibe Check 22:55 Navigating the SaaS Downturn 24:35 Challenges for SaaS Companies in 2024 29:11 AI in B2B: Who Wins? 32:46 The Future of AI and Pricing Models 36:18 AI Parity and Customer Support 40:31 Real-World AI Implementation Challenges   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 782: How to Train Your Sales Leaders: Key Learnings from HubSpot and BILL with Michelle Benfer Former Head of Revenue at BILL and HubSpot Americas leader Michelle Benfer recently joined us to share her insights on one of the most critical roles in any SaaS organization: the frontline sales manager. Having led sales teams of 500+ at BILL and 800+ at HubSpot, Michelle has unique insights into what makes great frontline managers and why investing in them is crucial for sustainable growth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SaaStr 781: How to Think About Product-Led Growth, Bootstrapping vs VC, and Early Exits with Jason Lemkin At the closing AMA (Ask-Me-Anything) of SaaStr Annual, SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin delves into key topics facing SaaS startups including bootstrapping, private equity (PE) opportunities, and achieving product market fit. With practical advice and real-world examples, the Q&A covers critical issues such as growth strategies, funding options, and the dynamics of venture capital. Additionally, Jason addresses the importance of sales, the potential pitfalls of relying on design partners, and the nuances of pricing strategies. A must-watch for any SaaS founder or entrepreneur looking to navigate the complexities of scaling their business in today's competitive market.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing.

SaaStr 780: From Outbound to Channel Partnerships: Your Burning Sales Questions Answered by SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin At the closing AMA of SaaStr Annual, SaaStr CEO and Founder, Jason Lemkin shared candid insights about what's really happening in SaaS today. In this Ask Me Anything Part 1, Lemkin answers the questions:  What does SaaStr Annual attendee data tell us about the state of SaaS? Is outbound sales dead?  When sales slow how do you keep the team motivated and push through? How important are channel partnerships for sales and revenue? When should founders make their first executive hires? Let's find out the answers.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   This episode is sponsored by: Anrok A question for SaaS finance leaders, do you know where your customers are? Anrok tracks where your sales are creating exposure, and automates tax calculation and filing worldwide. Built for high-growth software companies, Anrok protects your revenue and saves you time. Visit anrok.com/saastr to learn more.