EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 1H
The Founder Multiverse: 60 VC Rejections, An Adobe Exit, and the Appetite to Dominate | Alex Packham
from Scaling Stateside · host USXP
In this episode of Scaling Stateside, David Rose and Matt Oxley sit down with Alex Packham, the mastermind behind ContentCal (acquired by Adobe) and the current CEO of JAAQ (Just Ask A Question).Alex breaks down the raw reality of the "Agency-to-SaaS" pivot, the grueling "David vs. Goliath" battle of selling to a Silicon Valley giant during a global lockdown, and why he believes the US market possesses an "appetite to dominate" that every European founder needs to experience.If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a "multiverse", balancing the public face of growth with the private stress of cash flow, this conversation is for you.📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS02:58 Early Entrepreneurial Experiences06:02 The Mindset of an Entrepreneur08:47 Career Path and Agency Experience12:09 Transitioning to ContentCal14:47 Fundraising and Venture Capital Journey17:59 Product-Led Growth and Market Expansion29:59 Identifying the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)33:06 Navigating the U.S. Market During COVID-1935:55 The Journey to Series A Funding39:58 The Acquisition Process with Adobe45:54 The Human Side of Entrepreneurship50:51 Transitioning to Jack: A New Venture57:44 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursABOUT ALEX PACKHAMAlex Packham is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and the former Founder & CEO of ContentCal, a social media planning tool he scaled to thousands of global customers before its high-profile acquisition by Adobe in 2021.Known for his "wise beyond his years" strategic thinking, Alex successfully navigated the complex transition from a profitable digital agency to a venture-backed SaaS powerhouse. Following his tenure as a Product Director at Adobe, he took the helm as CEO of JAAQ (Just Ask A Question), a mental health tech platform featuring world-leading doctors and celebrities. Alex is a frequent investor in early-stage startups and is passionate about helping founders navigate the mental and operational "multiverse" of scaling a business.🔗 CONNECT WITH Alex Packham LinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpackham/JAAQ ⮕ https://jaaq.app/home🔗 CONNECT WITH David RoseLinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbrose/🔗 CONNECT WITH Matt Oxley LinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdoxley/🏢 POWERED BY WILSON SONSINI This episode is powered by Wilson Sonsini, the leading law firm for technology and growth companies. Wilson Sonsini helps European founders navigate US expansion — from entity formation and regulatory compliance to VC fundraising and M&A. Their deep cross-border expertise ensures you structure it right from day one.US Expansion Partners ⮕ https://www.usxp.co/🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on scaling to the US the right way.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Scaling Stateside, David Rose and Matt Oxley sit down with Alex Packham, the mastermind behind ContentCal (acquired by Adobe) and the current CEO of JAAQ (Just Ask A Question).Alex breaks down the raw reality of the "Agency-to-SaaS" pivot, the grueling "David vs. Goliath" battle of selling to a Silicon Valley giant during a global lockdown, and why he believes the US market possesses an "appetite to dominate" that every European founder needs to experience.If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a "multiverse", balancing the public face of growth with the private stress of cash flow, this conversation is for you.📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS02:58 Early Entrepreneurial Experiences06:02 The Mindset of an Entrepreneur08:47 Career Path and Agency Experience12:09 Transitioning to ContentCal14:47 Fundraising and Venture Capital Journey17:59 Product-Led Growth and Market Expansion29:59 Identifying the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)33:06 Navigating the U.S. Market During COVID-1935:55 The Journey to Series A Funding39:58 The Acquisition Process with Adobe45:54 The Human Side of Entrepreneurship50:51 Transitioning to Jack: A New Venture57:44 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursABOUT ALEX PACKHAMAlex Packham is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and the former Founder & CEO of ContentCal, a social media planning tool he scaled to thousands of global customers before its high-profile acquisition by Adobe in 2021.Known for his "wise beyond his years" strategic thinking, Alex successfully navigated the complex transition from a profitable digital agency to a venture-backed SaaS powerhouse. Following his tenure as a Product Director at Adobe, he took the helm as CEO of JAAQ (Just Ask A Question), a mental health tech platform featuring world-leading doctors and celebrities. Alex is a frequent investor in early-stage startups and is passionate about helping founders navigate the mental and operational "multiverse" of scaling a business.🔗 CONNECT WITH Alex Packham LinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpackham/JAAQ ⮕ https://jaaq.app/home🔗 CONNECT WITH David RoseLinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbrose/🔗 CONNECT WITH Matt Oxley LinkedIn ⮕ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdoxley/🏢 POWERED BY WILSON SONSINI This episode is powered by Wilson Sonsini, the leading law firm for technology and growth companies. Wilson Sonsini helps European founders navigate US expansion — from entity formation and regulatory compliance to VC fundraising and M&A. Their deep cross-border expertise ensures you structure it right from day one.US Expansion Partners ⮕ https://www.usxp.co/🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on scaling to the US the right way.
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The Founder Multiverse: 60 VC Rejections, An Adobe Exit, and the Appetite to Dominate | Alex Packham
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