The SaaS CFO

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben sits down with Ryan Austin, founder and CEO of Cognota. Ryan shares his journey from being an entrepreneur with a self-described unconventional academic background to building Cognota, a company pioneering the "LearnOps" category for enterprise learning and development teams.   Together, they dive into the challenges of scaling in today’s market, discuss creative approaches to enterprise sales and pricing, and explore how AI is reshaping internal operations and competitive strategy. Whether you’re interested in SaaS growth, fundraising, or the evolving landscape of learning technology, this episode offers unique insights from Ryan's experience leading an agile team and navigating the fast-changing world of enterprise software.  Show Notes:  00:00 Integrating tech for better outcomes  04:53 Managing Longer Sales Cycles  07:20 Investing in leadership team  11:26 Exploring outcome-based pricing models  15:47 Discussing ARR and AI efficiencies  18:32 Making tough business decisions  20:19 Connecting on LinkedIn and LearnOps  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/cognota-raises-5-75-million-series-b  Ryan Austin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanaustin3/  Cognota’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cognotahq/  Cognota’s Website: https://cognota.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray is joined by Josh Axler, Managing Director at Flow Capital, for a deep dive into the world of SaaS fundraising, venture debt, and revenue metrics. Josh shares his perspective on what makes SaaS ARR truly financeable, the nuances between live and committed revenue, and why understanding the quality of your earnings is critical for securing debt financing.  Listeners will get practical advice on key SaaS metrics, due diligence readiness, and how to prepare for successful conversations with lenders. Josh also addresses the impact of AI on SaaS businesses, current expectations in SaaS lending, and common misconceptions about equity versus debt financing. Whether you’re a founder, CFO, or operator aiming for growth, this episode offers invaluable insight into navigating the evolving financial landscape for SaaS companies.  Show Notes:  00:00 Introduction to Flow Capital  03:13 Evaluating ARR quality and details  07:25 Evaluating SaaS Financial Health  10:08 Finding ideal customer profiles  15:04 Evaluating SaaS Lending Metrics  18:43 Using debt for growth capital  20:17 Challenges with venture debt repayment  25:07 Evaluating AI impact on business  26:55 AI companies and revenue concerns  29:21 Assessing value and revenue impact  33:49 Contacting Josh for more info  Links:  Josh Axler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshaxler/  Flow Capital’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowcapital/  Flow Capital’s Website: https://www.flowcap.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Brandon Min, founder and CEO of Herd Security, as he shares his journey in building an innovative SaaS company at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI. In this episode, we dive into how Herd Security is moving beyond outdated, compliance-driven training and transforming how enterprises educate their teams about security and AI adoption with ongoing, personalized programs.  The discussion covers Brandon’s path from engineering roles to entrepreneurship, the challenges and realities of startup fundraising in today’s market, and the bold steps Herd Security is taking with founder-led sales and customer acquisition. We also unpack the complexities of SaaS pricing models in the AI era, and Brandon’s approach to tracking operational metrics, product development speed, and customer feedback.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or anyone interested in cybersecurity, AI, or startup growth strategies, this episode of The SaaS CFO is packed with actionable insights and candid stories from the front lines.  🔹 Topics Covered:  How Herd Security rethinks security awareness with AI  Brandon Min’s entrepreneurial journey  Fundraising lessons and cap table considerations  Founder-led sales and go-to-market strategy  SaaS pricing models and the impact of AI  Key metrics and operating in a rapid innovation environment  Show Notes:  00:00 Improving security training with AI  05:15 Targeting mid-market companies for security  10:17 Planning a realistic company exit  11:29 Challenges in Securing Investor Interest  15:54 Cold calling and outbound sales  17:31 Pricing and product tiering basics  22:00 Product roadmap and testing ideas  24:24 Optimizing distribution channels  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/herd-security-lands-3m-in-funding  Brandon Min’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-min-356ab290/  Herd Security’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/herdsecurity  Herd Security’s Website: https://www.herdsecurity.io/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Join Ben Murray as he sits down with Guy Sheetrit, the innovative CEO and founder of Lyrie AI, for a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of SaaS, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The conversation focuses on Guy’s extraordinary journey—from being one of Israel’s first internet-connected teens and a pioneer in SEO, to rebuilding everything after a failed IPO, and launching a cutting-edge AI-powered cybersecurity platform in Dubai.  A key theme that emerges is resilience and reinvention. Ben and Guy explore the challenges and opportunities of building in stealth, redefining industry standards with autonomous cyber agents, and addressing threats others aren’t even detecting. Discover how Lyrie is transforming cybersecurity for organizations of all sizes, what it takes to raise strategic capital without losing product focus, and Guy’s vision to make the ATP protocol the new global benchmark.  Don’t miss this episode if you want a behind-the-scenes look at SaaS entrepreneurship, next-gen cybersecurity, and the future of AI in business defense.  Show Notes:  00:00 Early business success and pre-COVID struggles  03:51 Moving business to Dubai  10:44 Self-funding and costly GPU expenses  12:03 Meeting with Joshua in Dubai  15:19 Early revenue and growth strategies  19:02 Concerns about advanced AI access  22:56 Marketing plan for 1 million clients  24:27 Checking and improving SEO  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/lyrie-ai-raises-2m-pre-seed-round  Guy Sheetrit’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guysheetrit/  Lyrie AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lyrie-ai/about/  Lyrie AI’s Website: https://lyrie.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, Ben sits down with Rohit Bhadange, co-founder and CEO of Zamp—the operating system for sales tax compliance that’s bringing much-needed visibility and automation to a traditionally complex space.  From his roots in investment banking and private equity to launching Zamp in 2022, Rohit Bhadange shares how his team is reshaping compliance for the entire digital economy, serving everyone from early-stage SaaS founders to enterprises approaching $500 million in revenue. Learn how Zamp leverages AI and data transparency to drive operational leverage and win trust from both customers and accounting partners, resulting in rapid fundraising traction and a business growing 5–6x since their Series A.  We’ll discuss Zamp’s approach to pricing, global expansion, customer acquisition strategies, and hear Rohit Bhadange's insight on SaaS growth metrics, operating leverage, and what sets a modern compliance platform apart. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or just fascinated by the evolving intersection of AI and finance, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.  Show Notes:  00:00 Targeting mid-sized enterprise customers  03:20 Expanding international market reach  09:26 Building in Stealth Mode  11:03 Choosing the Right Investors  14:01 Improving AI with Transparent Workflows   17:48 Outcome-based pricing strategy  21:27 Growth and efficiency improvements  23:30 Where to find Rohit online  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/zamp-bags-30m-in-total-funding  Rohit Bhandage’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitbhadange/  Zamp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zamptax/  Zamp’s Website: https://zamp.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Join Ben Murray on The SaaS CFO Podcast as he welcomes Pac O'Shea, CEO and co-founder of Round Treasury. In this episode, Pac O'Shea shares his journey from fintech consulting to launching a SaaS company focused on automating finance operations for growing businesses.  Discover how Round Treasury is using AI and automation to streamline cash management, accounts payable, and reporting, empowering CFOs and founders to save time and make smarter financial decisions. Pac O'Shea talks about building secure agentic workflows, the realities of raising capital in today’s AI-driven market, and why transparency in pricing matters. Whether you’re a finance leader or startup founder, you’ll get practical insights into the future of back office automation, the challenges of scaling a SaaS company, and strategies for engaging with CFOs in a rapidly changing tech landscape.  Show Notes:  00:00 Early treasury product for businesses  04:48 Building AI for Stable Coin Payments  07:38 Testing AI for banking tasks  13:13 Customer referrals and word-of-mouth  14:36 Discussing the pricing model update  17:40 Hiring focus and enterprise projects  Links:   Pac O’Shea’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pac-o-shea/  Round Treasury’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roundtreasury  Round Treasury’s Website: https://www.roundtreasury.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Laina Chan, CEO and founder of MiAI Law, to discuss the intersection of legal expertise and cutting-edge AI. With a three-decade career as a construction law barrister and a background in mathematics, Laina Chan shares how her experiences led to building a platform that transforms legal research and risk management.  Laina Chan explains how MiAI Law stands apart by replicating the way barristers think, offering precise, first-principles of legal analysis and verification—features now attracting judges, large law firms, and in-house counsel. She dives into the challenges of bringing AI into traditional legal workflows, recent fundraising wins, and the company’s approach to value-based pricing given the high demands of AI inference.  Looking ahead, Laina Chan talks about MiAI Law’s rapid growth, its entry into the US market, and ambitious plans to reach $1 million in annual recurring revenue. Listen in for exclusive insights on building and scaling an AI-driven SaaS business in the evolving legal tech landscape.  Show Notes:  00:00 Unexpected markets for legal tech  05:38 Legal document analysis tools  06:34 Legal risk management system overview  10:27 Testing error validation with a judge  13:58 Subscription pricing and package features  19:17 Microsoft partnership and Azure listing  20:40 Potential UK firm subscription  23:26 Crafting detailed reports  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/miai-law-secures-aud-2-million-in-funding  Laina Chan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainachanbarrister/  MiAI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/miai-law/  MiAI’s Website: https://miai.law/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray catches up with Anna Berger, founder and CEO of Trayd, to discuss the company’s impressive journey from a $4.5 million seed round to a $10 million Series A in just a year.  Anna Berger shares how Trayd sharpened its focus on serving union and prevailing wage contractors, leading to 600% revenue growth and a team expansion from 14 to 35 employees. She dives into the challenges of hiring, the evolution of their leadership team, and the company-wide embrace of AI tools to boost productivity.  Listen in as Anna Berger discusses refining Trayd’s go-to-market strategy, the metrics that matter most, and what it truly takes to scale a SaaS company in the construction tech space.  Show Notes:  00:00 The Series A growth stage  06:08 Challenges of hiring staff  07:05 Teamwide AI tool integration  12:33 Understanding investor expectations  15:32 Organizing unstructured company data  17:56 Managing seasonal workforce needs  19:26 Staying resilient in tough times  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/trayd-raises-4-5-million-in-seed-round  Anna Berger’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annajberger/  Trayd’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/traydinc/  Trayd’s Website: https://www.buildtrayd.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast. In today’s episode, Ben sits down with Spiros Xanthos, founder and CEO of Resolve AI. With a robust background in developer tools and successful exits—including acquisitions by VMware and Splunk—Spiros Xanthos brings decades of insight from both startup and corporate environments. Now leading Resolve AI, he’s pioneering agentic AI solutions designed to transform how enterprises maintain and operate production software.  Spiros Xanthos shares candid lessons learned from building fast-growth, VC-backed companies, insights on fundraising strategy ($150M+ raised across Seed and Series A), and how the speed of AI innovation is reshaping company culture, product development, and go-to-market approaches. If you’re curious about the latest in SaaS, AI-driven incident response, scaling a technical team, or outcome-based pricing, this conversation delivers practical wisdom for founders and finance leaders navigating today’s rapid AI evolution.  Show Notes:  00:00 Building developer tools and acquisitions  05:44 Challenges with data overload  07:06 Challenges in managing complex systems  11:00 Early self-funding decisions  13:23 Lessons from experience in startups  17:53 Building a Strong Brand  19:33 Expanding customer support team  24:19 Defining success metrics in AI tasks  26:42 Maintaining culture while scaling  29:48 Innovating with Multi-Agent Systems  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/resolve-ai-raises-125m-series-a-at-1b-valuation  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/resolve-ai-secures-35-million-in-seed-round  Spiros Xanthos’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spiros/  Resolve AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/resolveai/  Resolve AI’s Website: https://resolve.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Ankur Goyal, CEO and founder of Fibr AI, to explore the cutting edge of AI-powered web experiences in the B2B tech landscape. Ankur Goyal shares his journey from engineering and early roles at Nestle and startups, through an MBA at Stanford, to launching and exiting his first venture before starting Fibr AI.  We’ll dive into how Fibr AI transforms static websites into intelligent, campaign-driven experiences, helping heavily regulated industries like banking and healthcare boost conversion and personalize customer journeys. Ankur Goyal also opens up about raising $7.5 million in funding, lessons learned from multiple startups, and why clear alignment with investors is crucial in early rounds.  Expect insights on enterprise SaaS go-to-market strategies, the realities of pricing complex AI products, and the operational metrics driving growth at Fibr AI. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, finance leader, or just AI-curious, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration.  Show Notes:  00:00 How Fiber AI started  03:41 Ensuring consistent web messaging  07:09 Entering B2B with banking clients  10:11 Raising funds with angel investors  15:30 Challenges with investor feedback  18:44 Explaining the pricing model  22:49 Tracking sales cycle duration  25:23 Focusing on internal scalability  26:46 Ending and show notes info  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/fibr-ai-raises-7-5-million-seed-round  Ankur Goyal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurgoyal22/  Fibr AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fibrai/  Fibr AI’s Website: https://fibr.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Bobby Ocampo, Managing Partner at Blueprint Equity, for a candid conversation that flips the script—from founder journeys to the investor’s perspective. Bobby Ocampo shares his path from physics major to private equity leader, and together they dive into what he calls the “missing middle” of growth equity investing.  This discussion explores how the SaaS landscape is being redefined by AI, what investors now look for in SaaS and AI-driven businesses, and how founders can build defensible, vertical software companies in today’s competitive market. If you’ve ever wondered how investment criteria are evolving—and what metrics, strategies, and AI trends matter most when raising capital—this episode offers actionable insights straight from the dealmaking front lines.  Show Notes:  00:00 Introduction to Growth Equity  05:30 Adopting AI in SaaS products  09:53 Building trust and community  10:27 Trust and support in software business  14:15 Early growth equity challenges  18:23 Challenges with AI Monetization  22:53 Valuation for legacy SaaS companies  25:10 Importance of AI in investments  29:47 What makes an investment attractive  31:02 Thinking about raising funds  34:43 Understanding venture capital returns  37:07 Discussing future growth strategies  Links:  Bobby Ocampo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bocampo/  Blueprint Equity’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blueprint-equity/  Blueprint Equity’s Website: https://www.onblueprint.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! This episode features Agastya Samat, co-founder and CEO of Zeya Health, who shares his unique journey from leaving corporate law to launching a SaaS company focused on AI-powered solutions for outpatient clinics in Asia. Ben Murray and Agastya Samat dive into how Zeya is tackling the technical challenge of delivering customized patient engagement tools at scale, and how founder-led sales, strategic partnerships, and early revenue have fueled their rapid growth.  The conversation covers key lessons from participating in the Antler startup residency program and sheds light on choosing the right pricing model, experimenting with product-market fit, and identifying the operational metrics that drive success.  Agastya Samat also discusses building and scaling an engineering team, leveraging AI in both product development and business operations, and Zeya’s ambitions for international expansion. If you’re interested in SaaS, digital health, or startup growth, this episode is packed with practical advice and fresh perspective.  Show Notes:  00:00 Bringing AI to healthcare in Asia  03:35 Building outpatient clinic solutions  08:01 Changes in residency program approach  10:25 Experiences in the Antler program  16:45 Finding the right North Star metric  18:57 Using new models for marketing  20:50 Where to learn about Zeah Health  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/zeya-health-raises-575k-pre-seed  Agastya Samat’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agastya-samat/  Zeya Health’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeya-health/  Zeya Health’s Website: https://zeya.health/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ryan Wenger, CEO and founder of In House, to discuss his fascinating journey from practicing law to building and selling a SaaS travel startup, and now, creating an AI-driven legal tech company. Ryan Wenger reveals how his experiences shaped In House’s mission to make legal services affordable and accessible for small businesses.  Ryan Wenger shares candid lessons about pivoting business models, the challenges of fundraising in today's SaaS landscape, and what it takes to reach product-market fit. He explains how In House leverages both AI and a network of legal experts to deliver smarter, safer legal solutions for SMBs and what operational metrics are driving their impressive growth.  If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or interested in how SaaS and AI are reshaping traditional industries, you’ll find this episode packed with practical insights. Tune in for a front-row view of the evolving world of SaaS, AI innovation, and startup growth strategies!  Show Notes:  00:00 Starting a travel discovery app  05:29 Realizing the need for accessible legal help  06:53 Challenges with DIY legal solutions  10:28 Improving document requests with AI  16:03 Navigating VC fundraising challenges  18:04 Finding success in GPT Marketplace  21:00 Understanding users' legal needs  24:34 Using in-house AI  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/inhouse-raises-5-million-in-seed-round  Ryan Wenger’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wenger-2122a0a/  Inhouse’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inhouseai/  Inhouse’s Website: https://www.inhouse.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Join Ben Murray on The SaaS CFO Podcast as he interviews George Nichkov, CEO and founder of TaxNova. Hear how George Nichkov’s journey from consulting and tech inspired him to solve R&D tax credit challenges for SaaS companies.  George Nichkov shares how TaxNova uses AI to automate finance operations—streamlining tax claims, connecting with tools like JIRA and GitHub, and simplifying compliance across global markets. Say goodbye to spreadsheets and manual processes.  If you're a SaaS founder or finance leader curious about leveraging global tax credits and AI-powered FinOps, this episode is full of insights you won't want to miss.  Show Notes:  00:00 Considering a career change  03:50 Translating projects for accounting  07:24 Easy data integration for companies  12:14 Choosing venture capital for growth  14:04 Building early brand trust  16:57 Discussing data-driven tiered pricing  22:49 Building Pack Snow from scratch  26:05 Integrating JIRA with global offices  26:53 Promoting TaxNova resources online  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/taxnova-raises-1-million-in-funding  George Nichkov’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichkov/  Taxnova’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxnova-ai/  Taxnova’s Website: https://taxnova.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Kristen Beck, CEO and co-founder of Elly, shares her career path from being Trello’s first revenue hire through leadership roles at Atlassian, Shogun, and Typeform, and explains why she returned to startups to build an AI-native recruiting platform.   Elly focuses on capturing and learning from unstructured conversational data across hiring—from kickoff through interviews and debriefs—to help teams make better decisions, reduce time spent, and reveal patterns in successful hires. Beck outlines Elly’s two main customer segments: high-volume employers (including manufacturing and home healthcare) and fast-growing startups, and describes how AI enables insights beyond basic efficiency gains.   She discusses Elly’s founding timeline, seed fundraising to $8M (Atomic incubation and Sorenson-led round), PLG-led growth via word of mouth, a free ATS with paid AI features using subscription-plus-usage pricing, and key metrics like K-factor and module adoption, with Elly headquartered in New York and a 10-person team. Show Notes: 00:00 Welcome and Intro   00:08 Kristen Beck Career Path   02:07 What Ellie Does   03:01 Why Build Ellie   04:44 Ideal Customer Profiles   06:08 How AI Changes Recruiting   08:57 Founding Story and MVP   09:41 Seed Round and Investors   10:35 Why Raise vs Bootstrap   11:49 Fundraising Lessons in Crowded Markets   14:20 Go To Market and PLG   18:42 Pricing and Usage Model  20:39 Key Metrics and Virality   22:19 Team and 2026 Priorities   23:56 AI Makes Distribution Matter   25:31 Where to Learn More  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/elly-raises-8-million-in-funding  Kristen Habacht’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-habacht-80288780/  Elly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellyai/  Elly’s Website: https://www.elly.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast. In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Ruth Bosse, founder and CEO of Ark Climate, a Munich-based SaaS company transforming how cities tackle climate action. With a background in politics, mathematics, computer science, and significant experience at McKinsey, Ruth Bosse brings a unique perspective to the intersection of technology, climate, and government.  We'll hear about the inspiration for Ark Climate, how the company rapidly built traction in the German market, the challenges and opportunities of selling SaaS to government entities, and their approach to fundraising and growth. Ruth Bosse also shares key lessons learned from launching a govtech startup, the importance of realistic sales forecasting, and her vision to expand Ark Climate into a broader government operating platform. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, govtech enthusiast, or simply interested in the evolving world of climate solutions, this conversation is packed with candid insights on metrics, go-to-market strategies, and scaling impact-driven technology.  Show Notes:  00:00 Starting a climate-focused company  06:29 Internal and external climate tools  08:04 Bootstrapping and pre-seed funding  12:02 Starting with cold calling  14:16 Why we stopped doing fairs  18:56 Expanding beyond climate tools  20:38 Closing remarks and future goals  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/ark-climate-raises-2-1m-pre-seed  Ruth Bosse’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthbosse/  Ark Climate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ark-climate-technologies/?originalSubdomain=de  Ark Climate’s Website: https://www.ark-climate.de/en/homepage  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Hiren Hasmukh, founder of Teqtivity, an IT asset management platform serving organizations from startups to global enterprises.   Hiren Hasmukh shares his journey from web and graphic design through custom software builds to leading a bootstrapped, profitable SaaS company with a global reach. Tune in as they discuss Teqtivity’s product evolution, the deliberate decision to avoid fundraising, lean operations, go-to-market strategies, and what it takes to retain big-name customers—all while maintaining a laser focus on customer support and product excellence.   If you’re interested in SaaS growth, profitability, and scaling without external capital, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.  Show Notes:  00:00 Career path to Techtivity  03:20 Origin of the smart locker idea  08:40 Driving growth through word of mouth  11:35 Focusing on retention and value  14:50 Staying flexible with marketing  Links:  Hiren Hasmukh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiren-teq/  Teqtivity’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teqtivity/  Teqtivity’s Website: https://www.teqtivity.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, Ben Murray sits down with Yogi Goel, co-founder and CEO of Maxima AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the accounting function for scaling SaaS companies. With two decades of experience in finance—from auditing at Ernst & Young to leading through multiple SaaS IPOs—Yogi Goel brings deep operational insights into the struggle for accurate, timely, and efficient financial closes.  We’ll dig into the founding story of Maxima AI, the challenges of automating record-to-report processes, and the future of agentic platforms that seamlessly integrate into established ERPs like NetSuite, Dynamics, and Oracle. Yogi Goel also reveals Maxima’s journey through fundraising, their rapid growth, and his perspective on SaaS financial metrics in the era of AI.  Whether you’re a SaaS CFO, controller, or founder curious about leveraging AI to ease regulatory pressure, reduce errors, and eliminate late nights for your accounting team, this episode is packed with practical insights and candid advice from the front lines of fintech innovation.  Show Notes:  00:00 Identifying accounting challenges at scale  04:52 When Maxima is the right fit  08:10 Streamlining accounting processes  11:30 Improving product accuracy and scalability  13:29 Why investors believed in us  19:33 Building awareness for AI finance  23:03 Focusing on customer satisfaction  24:35 Focusing on weekly active users  27:56 Where to learn about Maxima  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/maxima-raises-41-million-in-funding  Yogi Goel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogi-goel/  Maxima’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maximaai/  Maxima’s Website: https://www.maxima.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, we sit down with Dana Rochman, CEO and co-founder of Legato, an innovative company building an AI-powered app creation layer for SaaS platforms. With deep roots in product management and technology leadership, Dana shares how Legato is on a mission to empower non-technical business users — like CFOs — to build custom tools, dashboards, and workflows directly inside their existing B2B applications, eliminating the need for lengthy and costly customizations.  We explore Legato’s journey from inception in 2025, their $7 million seed round, and the importance of clear narrative and validation in fundraising. Dana also opens up about go-to-market strategies, pricing models in the age of AI, and how the platform aims to help SaaS vendors win the AI race by unlocking new revenue streams. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how Legato is bringing the power of app creation to the hands of business users everywhere.  Show Notes:   00:00 Building AI tools for non-engineers  03:44 Customizable tools and workflows explained  09:14 Starting fundraising with strong validation  10:51 Why investors believed in us  14:47 Vendors monetizing dashboards and customizations  17:19 Maintaining and improving the app  20:06 Closing remarks and AI vision  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/legato-raises-7-million-seed-round  Dana Rochman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danarochman/  Legato AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legato-ai/  Legato AI’s Website: https://www.legato.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Join host Ben as he sits down with Alex Novozhenov, CEO and co-founder of Nodu, on this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast. Alex Novozhenov shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, from building and selling companies in the gaming and fintech space, to launching Nodu—a startup transforming cross-border payments for SaaS and fintech companies.  Discover how Nodu leverages stablecoin technology to enable faster, seamless money transfers across borders, eliminating traditional banking barriers. Alex Novozhenov breaks down what stablecoins are, Nodu’s API-driven approach, and why global commerce needs new solutions for moving money.  Whether you’re a SaaS CFO, founder, or fintech enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on startup fundraising, adoption of cutting-edge financial tools, and the shift from bootstrapping to venture-backed growth. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the future of payments and entrepreneurship!  Show Notes:  00:00 "API-Driven Fintech & Stablecoins"  03:51 "Stablecoin Payments for Businesses"  09:28 "Funding Goals for Founders"  10:31 "Bootstrapping vs. Funded Startups"  15:10 "Hybrid Teams, Global Offices"  16:58 2026 Goals and Revenue Check  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/nodu-raises-1-45-million-pre-seed-funding  Alex Novozhenov’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/novozhenov/  Nodu’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nodufi/  Nodu’s Website: https://nodu.fi/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Matthieu Hafemeister, co-founder and CEO of Concourse. Matthieu shares his journey from growing up in Paris to launching a fast-scaling AI startup in New York, drawing on his experiences in venture capital at Andreessen Horowitz and operational roles at Jeeves. Together, they dive deep into how Concourse leverages agentic AI to revolutionize finance teams—from automating workflows across complex data sources to increasing team capacity and strategic output.  Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at Concourse’s rapid growth, its recent $12 million Series A raise, and the evolving landscape of AI for enterprise finance. Matthieu also offers insights on the challenges of founder-led sales, best practices for scaling go-to-market, and why staying lean is a key part of their strategy. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, finance leader, or simply curious about the future of agentic AI, this conversation is packed with practical lessons and fresh perspectives. Don’t miss it!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Startup Growth and Complexity Insights"  06:03 Data Integration for Workflow Efficiency  07:36 AI Adoption Accelerates Across Industries  10:59 "AI Automating Workflows, Not Tools"  13:40 "AI Startup's Breakout Journey"  19:47 Evolving Pricing with Token Model  23:26 "AI Impact on Margins"  25:53 Streamlining Finance Team Workflows  27:31 "Custom AI for Enterprise Success"  30:41 "Proof of Concepts Drive Success"  34:38 "Concourse.ai: AI Insights Hub"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/concourse-raises-12-million-in-series-a  Matthieu Hafemeister’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthafemeister/  Concourse’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/concourseai/  Concourse’s Website: https://www.concourse.co/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Rishi Grover, co-founder and Chief Solutions Architect at Vena Solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the FP&A technology space, Rishi Grover shares his journey—starting from his early days as an electrical engineer to founding one of the industry's leading financial planning platforms.  Together, they dive into the evolution of the FP&A landscape, the growing role of AI in financial planning, and how Vena's unique approach integrates Excel with enterprise applications. Rishi Grover also opens up about Vena’s fundraising story, insights on scaling a SaaS company to thousands of customers, and their recent strategic acquisition to accelerate growth.  Whether you’re curious about SaaS fundraising, go-to-market strategies, or how AI is reshaping finance, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for founders, CFOs, and finance leaders. Let’s jump in!  Show Notes:   00:00 "Comprehensive Enterprise Planning Integration"  04:55 "Navigating Uncertainty with Strategic Planning"  06:43 AI Trust and Practical Applications  12:48 Startup Growth and M&A Strategy  14:20 "Microsoft-Centric Enterprise Expansion"  16:52 "Unified Approach Across Businesses"  23:01 Driving Growth and Software Adoption  25:59 "Aligning Teams for AI Strategy"  27:57 "Accelerating Clean Data Needs"  Links:  Rishi Grover’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishi-grover-64480314/  Vena Solutions’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vena-solutions  Vena Solutions’ Website: https://www.venasolutions.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Santiago Nestares, co-founder of Dual Entry, to discuss the rapid rise of their AI-powered ERP built for the modern mid-market company. Santiago Nestares shares the inspiration behind Dual Entry, which emerged from firsthand frustrations with legacy accounting systems during his journey scaling a previous startup to $100 million in revenue. The conversation digs into what sets Dual Entry apart—an ERP designed from the ground up with AI, offering next-day migration, seamless integrations, and advanced agentic features for faster, more insightful closes.  Together, Ben Murray and Santiago Nestares explore the company’s approach to building a product that adapts as businesses grow, the challenges (and solutions) around complex ERP migrations, and why user happiness and rapid go-lives are among Dual Entry’s top success metrics. They also dive into Dual Entry's impressive fundraising journey, ambitious go-to-market strategies, and why they believe ERP trauma shouldn’t hold finance teams back from modern solutions.  If you’re curious about the next wave of finance tech for CFOs—or want to hear how Dual Entry is changing the game for SaaS and beyond—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Scaling Challenges with ERP Systems"  05:05 "Mid-Market Business Growth Strategy"  09:03 AI Tools for Business Automation  12:04 "Building Fast, Customer-Focused Teams"  14:56 "Strong Software & Migration Insights"  17:24 "Customer-Focused Go-to-Market Strategy"  22:11 Overcoming ERP Implementation Barriers  25:17 "Launching Agents, SaaS Expansion"  26:17 Dual Entry Resources & Community  Link:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/dualentry-raises-90-million-in-series-a  Santiago Nestares’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-nestares/  DualEntry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dualentry/  DualEntry’s Website: https://www.dualentry.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Ben Stein, co-founder and CEO at Double, to dive into the world of SaaS finance, automation, and the evolving tech landscape for accounting teams. Ben Stein shares his journey from his early days as a CFO at an AR startup, to launching Double—a cutting-edge month-end close management platform that automates everything from transaction categorization to flux analysis.  The conversation covers Double’s rapid growth, including its $13 million in capital raised, the strategic importance of AI in their platform, and the lessons learned from their Series A fundraising. Ben Stein also opens up about the challenges and learnings around company rebranding, finding the right investor–founder fit, and the metrics he relies on to steer the business. Whether you’re part of an outsourced accounting team or building the finance function inside a high-growth SaaS business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling finance operations, go-to-market strategies, and the future of accounting tech.  Tune in to hear why listening to customers, focusing on the right product, and getting your metrics right can make all the difference in building and scaling a SaaS company.  Show Notes:  00:00 Month-End Close Automation Tool  06:00 "AI Unlocks Growth Opportunities"  06:56 "Choosing Board Members Wisely"  10:36 "Client-Based Pricing Explained"  12:57 Finance Insights: Prioritize Simplicity  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/double-raises-6-5-million-series-a  Ben Stein’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfstein/  Double’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doublehq/  Double’s Website: https://doublehq.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, hosts Ben Murray and Matt Perrott sit down with Dan Beck, CEO and co-founder of 401GO, to dive into the world of SaaS-driven financial services and the unique challenges facing founders and small businesses when it comes to retirement plans.  Dan Beck shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the story behind launching 401GO with his brother, the company’s mission to simplify and automate 401(k) plans for smaller organizations, and how modern technology is transforming retirement solutions. From tackling outdated industry systems to enabling instant, automated plan set-ups, Dan reveals why 401GO stands out in a space dominated by complexity and legacy platforms.  We also explore Dan’s experience transitioning from bootstrapping businesses to raising over $48 million in venture capital, including the differences, stresses, and rewards between these two worlds. Whether you're a CFO, founder, or anyone curious about scalable SaaS solutions and startup growth, Dan’s insights on unit economics, partner channels, and operational metrics will leave you inspired and informed.  Tune in for actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and fresh perspectives on building a SaaS business that’s reimagining financial wellness for employees everywhere.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Challenges of Offering 401(k)s"  05:40 "Outdated 401(k) Systems Persist"  07:11 Modular Custodial Tech Enhancements  12:15 "Bootstrapping to Venture Funding"  14:19 "Understanding Different Investor Roles"  20:01 SaaS-Based 401(k) Pricing Model  21:19 "Growth, Revenue, and Retention Dynamics"  24:54 "Enterprise Layer Technology Solution"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/401go-secures-33-million-series-b  Dan Beck’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgbeck/  401GO’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/401go/  401GO’s Website: https://401go.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Nir Weingarten, co-founder and CEO of Eikona, to dive into the intersection of AI, lifecycle marketing, and the SaaS startup journey. Nir Weingarten shares his fascinating background in academia, AI research, and software development, and how that technical expertise fueled the birth of Eikona—a company aimed at transforming post-acquisition marketing through generative AI.  You’ll hear about the early days of Eikona, from ideation with his co-founder to securing $5.1 million in seed funding and finding that crucial product-market fit. Nir Weingarten breaks down how reinforcement learning and GenAI can disrupt traditional, manual approaches to email and SMS marketing, creating real ROI for brands with large customer bases.  Whether you’re interested in go-to-market strategies, startup fundraising lessons, or the future of AI adoption in SaaS, this conversation is packed with insights. Tune in to discover how Eikona is helping marketers unlock new value beyond customer acquisition and what’s top of mind for building the next wave of AI-powered growth.  Show Notes:   00:00 Lifecycle Marketing Revolution Explained  05:48 Social Media AI Disrupts Marketing  07:21 Mid-Market B2C Targeting Strategy  10:33 "GenAI Startup Journey"  14:00 "Fuzzy Autonomy in Marketing"  20:05 "The Right Kind of Stubborn"  23:17 "Building a Scalable Sales Funnel"  25:28 "Client Happiness Drives Success"  27:38 "AI Founder Insights & Metrics"  31:24 "Eikona.io: AI Resources & Networking"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eikona-raises-5-million-seed-round  Nir Weingarten’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-zvi-weingarten/  Eikona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eikonaio/  Eikona’s Website: https://www.eikona.io/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, host Ben Murray sits down with Helen Hastings, founder and CEO of Quanta, an AI-powered accounting service and finance platform designed specifically for software and SaaS companies. In this conversation, Helen Hastings shares her unique journey from software engineer to founder, recounting her transition into the world of finance automation after building internal accounting systems at Affirm. She pulls back the curtain on Quanta’s innovative blend of both product and service, walking us through how her team leverages in-house technology and automation to offer full-service accounting and reporting for early-stage and growth-stage companies.  We delve into what sets Quanta apart—its proprietary general ledger, instant onboarding for startups, and a vision for real-time, intelligent financial insights without the typical growing pains of legacy systems. Ben Murray and Helen Hastings also talk candidly about fundraising lessons, the importance of storytelling in venture capital, and what’s ahead as Quanta gears up to launch a standalone software product. If you’re a founder, a SaaS finance leader, or just fascinated by the future of accounting tech, this episode is packed with firsthand insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:   00:00 Engineers and Accountants: Kindred Spirits  03:28 Automated Accounting & Reporting Solution  08:18 "Growing with Our Customers"  10:28 Business Setup Time Variability  15:13 "The Power of Storytelling"  19:27 Flat-Rate AI Subscription Model  20:40 "Product Usage & NRR Focus"  23:26 "Find Helen at UseQuanta"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quanta-raises-4-7-million-in-seed-round  Helen Hastings’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbhastings/  Quanta’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usequanta/  Quanta’s Website: https://www.usequanta.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Luca Cartechini, co-founder and CEO of Shop Circle. With deep roots in equity research and venture capital across the European tech landscape, Luca Cartechini shares how his experiences led to the creation of Shop Circle—an innovative, long-term holding company that acquires and grows mission-critical, profitable SaaS businesses outside the traditional VC and PE model.  Listeners will get insider perspectives on the realities of scaling software companies in fragmented European markets, the metrics that matter most when evaluating SaaS acquisitions, and the evolving role of AI in operational excellence. Whether you’re a founder considering your next move or simply passionate about SaaS, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on building, buying, and holding vertical software companies for the long haul.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Challenges Scaling European Companies"  03:34 "ShopCircle: AI-Powered Software Platform"  08:51 "AI in Software Acquisitions"  12:06 AI's Role in Business Strategy  14:09 "Pricing, AI, and Value Strategy"  16:58 "Key Metrics for Business Acquisition"  22:28 "Operator-Focused, Long-Term Investment Approach"  25:13 Founder Missteps in Acquisition Process  29:28 Recurring vs. Usage-Based Revenue Analysis  31:51 "SaaS Revenue Analysis for ROI"  36:39 AI-Driven Efficiency and Expansion  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-raises-60-million-in-series-b  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-extends-series-b-to-100-million  Luca Cartechini’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-cartechini/  Shop Circle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shop-circle/  Shop Circle’s Website: https://shopcircle.co/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ben Winter, co-founder and COO at Stuut. Ben Winter brings a dynamic background in management consulting, design agencies, and executive leadership roles within scaling SaaS companies. He shares the story behind founding Stuut—an AI-powered platform designed to transform the order-to-cash process for businesses where working capital and collection efficiency are essential.  Ben Winter reveals how Stuut’s AI agents streamline everything from invoice communication to payment collection, targeting verticals like manufacturing, logistics, and medical devices that rely on fast cash cycles. The discussion delves into Stuut’s journey—from early customer pain points to rapid fundraising, the importance of founder–investor alignment, and their innovative approach to go-to-market and brand differentiation in the crowded finance technology space.  Listen in for actionable insights on SaaS metrics, building AI-driven solutions, and lessons learned in scaling an operationally efficient company—straight from a COO who’s at the forefront of fintech innovation.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Automating AR with AI"  05:19 "Optimizing Cash Flow for Growth"  07:11 Evolving CFO Strategies for Collections  12:34 "Delivering Value to Customers"  16:25 In-Person Impact and Clear Value  19:14 "Non-Traditional Marketing Strategies"  21:16 "Digital Coworkers for Collections Teams"  24:09 "AP & AR Strategy Insights"  29:57 "Scaling Efficiently with AI"  31:28 "Rethinking Team Structures Efficiently"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stuut-technologies-raises-29-5m-series-a  Ben Winter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengwinter/  Stuut’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stuut/  Stuut’s Website: https://www.stuut.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Vadim Rogovskiy, CEO and co-founder of Eve, an AI-powered sales enablement tool designed specifically for founders and small business owners. Vadim Rogovskiy shares his unique journey as a serial entrepreneur—from selling and exiting previous startups to launching Eve after discovering the challenges small businesses face managing leads without traditional CRMs.  Together, Ben Murray and Vadim Rogovskiy dive into Eve’s early days, its customer-first approach, the founding story, and how AI is transforming sales for SMBs. You’ll hear insights on fundraising in today’s fast-moving AI market, lessons learned across multiple ventures, and how grassroots, founder-led marketing is key in cutting through industry noise. Whether you’re scaling your SaaS startup or curious about AI’s impact on modern sales and revenue models, this episode is packed with real-world advice and thoughtful analysis on building and growing a successful tech company.  Let’s jump into the conversation!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Building EVE from Event Insights"  03:09 "Startup CRM Challenges and Demand"  08:59 "Sustainable Growth Over Hype"  10:46 "Prioritize IRL and Founder-Led Growth"  14:27 "Founder Discusses Early Fundraising Journey"  18:10 "Qualitative KPIs and User Growth"  20:53 "Achieving Product Market Fit"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eve-raises-2-million-in-pre-seed-round  Vadim Rogovskiy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadim-rogovskiy/  Eve AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joineveai/  Eve AI’s Website: https://joineve.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, Ben Murray sits down with Tony Petrilli, CEO of ViewTrade, to uncover the journey behind building a global fintech platform that’s redefining cross-border financial services. From writing code on early PCs to leading innovation at major institutions like Morgan Stanley and Citibank, Tony Petrilli shares how ViewTrade evolved from a brokerage into a full-stack SaaS provider serving 300 firms worldwide.  You'll hear candid insights about bootstrapping a complex product, the realities of scaling and global expansion, and the reasoning behind a customer-led, composable solution instead of a rigid, product-led approach. Plus, he reveals how ViewTrade balances profitability, growth, and innovation—including the strategic use of AI—and what’s next on the horizon as they target nine-digit growth.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, finance exec, or just curious about how technology is transforming financial services, this episode is packed with valuable lessons, operational metrics, and entrepreneurial wisdom. Let’s dive in!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Turnkey Cross-Border Financial Solutions"  03:57 "Modernizing Investment with Embedded Solutions"  07:07 Revolutionizing Financial Firms' Efficiency  12:15 "Customer-Led Solutions Drive Inbound"  15:15 "Fintech Sustainability and Responsibility"  18:35 "Starting Small, Scaling Strategically"  19:47 "CEO's Profit Margin Focus"  22:33 "Building Leaders and Expanding Globally"  25:38 Global Expansion and Wealth Ventures  Links:  Tony Petrilli’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-tony-petrilli-a2b59825/  ViewTrade’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viewtrade-holding/  ViewTrade’s Website: https://www.viewtrade.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Nick Holzherr, serial tech founder and the driving force behind GitLaw—an innovative AI-powered legal platform. Nick Holzherr shares his entrepreneurial journey, from exiting previous ventures like Whisk and Air HR, to launching GitLaw earlier this year with $3 million in backing.   The conversation goes deep into the frustrations of traditional legal services, how GitLaw leverages trusted templates and advanced AI orchestration for SMBs, and what sets their product apart from simply using ChatGPT for contracts. You'll hear about go-to-market growth loops, the challenges of scaling in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, and Nick Holzherr's focus on building a product that customers love and trust.   Whether you're interested in SaaS metrics, team dynamics, or the future of AI in legal tech, this episode is packed with insights from a founder who's in the thick of it.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Revolutionizing Legal Services with AI"  04:09 "Contract Review and Market Standards"  09:10 "Building Success with Trusted Team"  11:45 AI-Powered Legal Document Collaboration  15:19 "Startup Uncertainty Amid Rapid Growth"  18:35 "Challenges in Marketing Metrics Transparency"  21:24 Retention and User Feedback Focus  22:51 "Balancing SaaS Margins and Costs"  26:33 "Making AI Trustworthy and Useful"  29:03 Git.law Service Overview  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/gitlaw-raises-3-million-in-funding  Nick Holzherr’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickholzherr/  GitLaw’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gitlawco/  GitLaw’s Website: https://git.law/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, we're excited to welcome Nicolas Christiaen, CEO and co-founder of Donna, the AI assistant revolutionizing the lives of field sales teams. Ben Murray sits down with Nicolas Christiaen (introduced as Nicolas in the episode) to dive into Donna's journey from inception in late 2023 to its rapid growth and latest $5 million seed round. You'll hear how Donna leverages AI to boost sales rep productivity, seamlessly integrates with CRMs, and is gaining traction across verticals like medical devices, CPG, manufacturing, and insurance.  Nicolas Christiaen reveals their data-driven approach to finding ideal customer segments, lessons learned from fast-paced fundraising, and why partnerships with global consulting firms like Deloitte and PwC are fueling their go-to-market strategy. If you’re keen to learn about what’s driving growth for AI-powered SaaS, how to balance vertical focus, and why healthy SaaS margins are still possible with AI, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in to find out how Donna is scaling up in 2026 and what’s next for this ambitious SaaS startup!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Sales, Efficiency, and Acquisition"  05:05 "Adapting AI for Industry Needs"  06:45 "24/7 AI Assistant Support"  10:14 "Global Launch Leads to Growth"  14:59 "Early Success with Partners"  19:18 "Outbound Strategy with Multi-Channel Approach"  22:08 AI Costs Will Decrease Over Time  23:50 AI Companies Will Streamline Operations  Links:  Nicolas Christiaen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaschristiaen/  Donna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donna-by-dealside  Donna’s Website: https://www.askdonna.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Nitin Mahajan, founder of Quick Ads. With an impressive background spanning engineering, strategy, and consulting at firms like McKinsey and Accenture, Nitin Mahajan shares the story behind Quick Ads—a platform set to revolutionize advertising for small and medium businesses using AI and proprietary data.   The conversation dives into the challenges these businesses face, the evolution of ad tech, and Quick Ads’ unique approach of combining software and services with an outcome-based pricing model. Nitin Mahajan also opens up about the company’s capital-efficient journey, fundraising, and their mission to create a visual system of record for marketing teams, all while keeping growth and profitability in sharp focus.   Whether you’re a SaaS founder or just fascinated by the future of digital marketing, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:   00:00 Ad Inefficiency and Modern Challenges  06:12 "Choosing Your Business Growth Path"  07:56 "Data-Driven AI, Not Software"  11:10 "Future of Software in AI"  13:33 "Quick Ads Info and Insights"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quickads-raises-1-7-million-seed-round  Nitin Mahajan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitinmahajan2/  QuickAds’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickads-ai/  QuickAds’ Website: https://www.quickads.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, Ben Murray sits down with Michael Babineau, co-founder of Turnstile, to unpack the journey from software engineer to successful second-time founder. Michael Babineau shares how his engineering background and the exit of his first company, Second Measure, to Bloomberg helped shape the vision for Turnstile—a next-gen, AI-native quote-to-cash platform designed to handle the complex challenges of sales-led, recurring revenue businesses.  In this candid conversation, Michael Babineau dives into lessons learned from scaling and selling a company, the difficulties of automating revenue processes for custom deals, and why building a truly integrated, flexible system is crucial for SaaS companies looking to grow. You’ll also hear insights into Turnstile’s go-to-market strategy, their unique pricing approach, and what it’s really like to raise capital as a second-time founder.  Whether you’re a SaaS operator, CFO, or founder plotting your next move, this episode is packed with operational tips, market observations, and behind-the-scenes stories that you won’t want to miss!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Founders Ready to Start Again"  03:05 "Turnstile: Unified Revenue Management Platform"  07:12 Turnstile: CRM-ERP Integration Simplified  11:38 "Finding True Revenue Ground Truth"  13:15 "Venture Growth Through Mid-Market"  17:29 "Scalable Growth for Enterprise Success"  22:09 "M&A Process: All-Consuming Commitment"  24:08 Flexible Dealmaking for Company Growth  27:47 "Shifting to Marketing-Led Growth"  31:35 "Self-Serve Enterprise Software Simplified"  33:00 "Driving Growth for B2B Startups"  36:34 "Turnstile AI Discussion"  Links:   Michael Babineau’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbabineau/  Turnstile’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turnstile-co/  Turnstile’s Website: https://turnstile.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Rafael Broshi, co-founder and CEO of Notch, to explore the journey from early startup ideas through pivotal transformations in the world of SaaS and AI. Rafael Broshi shares his unique career path—from years in the Israeli army to product management, hedge funds, and now leading a cutting-edge AI company revolutionizing customer experience in the insurance industry.  You'll hear firsthand how Notch evolved from an insurance-focused MGA into a powerful AI agent platform for customer support, what drove their bold pivot, and why focusing on outcome-based pricing and measurable ROI is making waves for their global clients. Rafael Broshi offers invaluable insights on making hard decisions, raising capital, and what it takes to stand out in an ultra-competitive AI-driven SaaS market. If you're a SaaS founder, operator, or just fascinated by the future of AI in business, this episode is packed with lessons, metrics, and real-world advice you can’t afford to miss.  Show Notes:  00:00 Startup Challenges and Strategic Decisions  03:55 AI Platform for Customer Support Automation  09:05 AI Deployment in Insurance Industry  11:42 "Pivoting, Frugality, and Profitability"  15:17 "AI, Pivots, and New Beginnings"  17:26 "Strategic Focus on Market Verticals"  21:04 Outcome-Based Pricing Strategy  26:47 "Future of AI Pricing"  27:55 Automated Conversations Drive Growth  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/notch-cx-raises-7-million-in-seed-round  Rafael Broshi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-broshi-435a77105/  Notch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/notchapp/  Notch’s Website: https://www.notch.cx/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this special end-of-year episode, host Ben Murray is joined for the third time by Jim Williams, Managing Director at GLC Advisors, for an in-depth update on the state of the software M&A and capital markets. Ben Murray and Jim Williams dive into what's really happening in SaaS dealmaking, cutting through the social media noise to explore trends in deal volume, valuations, and what truly makes a quality asset in today’s market.  They discuss why 2025 felt “steady but not spectacular,” how founders can position their businesses for attractive outcomes, and the continued importance of the fundamentals—think retention, growth, and profitability. Jim Williams shares what buyers are looking for, why clean financials and clear revenue models are deal breakers, and what to expect if you’re planning to sell in the near future. Plus, they touch on timely topics like the shifting impact of AI, earnouts, deal structures, and preparing for due diligence.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or simply want a no-nonsense perspective on the M&A environment, this episode is packed with actionable insights and predictions for 2026—straight from the front lines of the software dealmaking world. Let’s jump in!  Show Notes:  00:00 "2025: Steady Market Trends"  03:33 "Deferred Deals and Future Growth"  08:38 "Evaluating Business Revenue Models"  10:55 Evaluating Recurring Revenue Quality  15:55 "Contextualizing Seasonal Business Metrics"  19:10 Renewal Rate and Visibility Challenges  20:50 "Clarity in Business Value Proposition"  23:17 "Misaligned Business Metrics Unveiled"  28:33 "Platform vs. Add-On Trends"  32:46 "Fair Earnouts and Deal Terms"  35:55 Equity Rollover and Founder Involvement  39:19 "Deal Delays and Due Diligence"  41:53 "Preparing Financials for SaaS Market"  45:45 Strategic vs. Sponsor Buyer Perspectives  50:25 "Achieving Product-Market Fit Fundamentals"  51:41 "Early-Stage Funding Uncertainty"  55:25 "Open, Accessible, and Supportive"  Links:  Jim Williams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-williams-5754953/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Aviv Frenkel, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonshot AI, to explore the fascinating journey from Israeli media personality to leading an innovative SaaS startup. Aviv Frenkel shares how his background as a radio DJ and television journalist ultimately inspired him to dive into the world of tech entrepreneurship.  You’ll hear the inside story behind Moonshot AI—a generative AI platform that transforms e-commerce websites into self-optimizing “living organisms,” helping online brands boost their conversion rates without massive teams or endless guesswork. Aviv Frenkel walks us through the company’s rapid trajectory, including their recent $10 million funding round, the importance of building with strong design partners, and what it takes to achieve real product-market fit in a crowded space.  The conversation covers the realities of founder-led sales, why Moonshot AI chose a straightforward subscription model, and the key operational metrics driving their growth. If you’re interested in SaaS metrics, startup fundraising, or the future of AI in e-commerce, this episode is full of actionable insights and candid startup wisdom. Tune in to learn more about Moonshot AI’s global journey and discover opportunities to join their growing team!  Show Notes:  00:00 "AI-Powered Ecommerce Optimization"  03:47 "Muncho: End-to-End Website Optimization"  07:53 "Scaling Fast from MVP to Funding"  12:21 Key Business Metrics Discussion  15:06 Evolving CEO Roles and Priorities  16:49 "Join Our AI-Driven Team"  Links:  Aviv Frenkel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-frenkel/  Moonshot AI’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-shot-ai/  Moonshot AI’s Website: https://moonshot-ai.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Michael Salorio, founder and CEO of Solentrex, an ambitious new player in the solar industry bringing an all-in-one, AI-driven ERP platform to residential solar companies. Michael Salorio shares his journey from a finance and wealth management background to building a cutting-edge SaaS product and highlights how Solentrex is streamlining operations for both solar installers and sales teams.  Tune in as we explore the evolving solar market, dive into Solentrex’s product launch roadmap—including a soft launch and a major industry conference debut—and discuss the challenges and lessons learned from fundraising and onboarding early customers. If you're interested in vertical SaaS, ERP innovation, or the future of solar tech, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Philantrix: Team-Driven Success"  04:11 "Streamlining Solar Sales Workflow"  08:30 Delaying Launch for Accuracy  11:37 Solar Growth Through Relationships  13:50 Key Metrics for Growth Focus  17:24 "Streamlining Polar Industry Operations"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/solentrex-secures-strategic-investment  Michael Salorio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-salorio-a55204108/  Solentrex’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solentrex/about/  Solentrex’s Website: https://solentrex.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, host Ben Murray welcomes John Glasgow, founder and CEO of Campfire—a fast-growing, AI-powered ERP solution built for modern finance teams. John Glasgow shares his background, from early days in finance at Adobe to leading partnerships at Invoice2Go and the inspiration behind starting Campfire.  Together, they explore the challenges of building a next-generation ERP, the role of AI in streamlining finance workflows, and Campfire’s rapid rise—including raising $100 million and landing marquee customers in just two years. You’ll hear insights on current trends in CFO tech stacks, best practices for disciplined growth, and why accounting is becoming more strategic than ever.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or just curious about the future of finance software, this episode is packed with honest lessons, actionable insights, and a look at what’s next for Campfire and the industry at large.  Show Notes:  00:00 "From Finance to Founding Campfire"  03:22 "Building the Modern ERP"  09:58 "Accelerating Growth in ERP Space"  11:44 "AI Growth and Rapid Funding"  14:37 "New Logo ARR Growth Focus"  17:21 "Building ERP: Focus and Conviction"  23:31 Capacity Planning and Growth Strategy  27:23 Finance Software Revolution Insights  28:54 "Ember AI: Agentic Workflows Evolution"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-raises-3-5-million-in-seed-round  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-secures-35-million-in-series-a  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-raises-65-million-in-series-b  John Glasgow’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnglasgow/  Campfire’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meetcampfire/  Campfire’s Website: https://campfire.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Kelby Zorgdrager, CEO and founder of Tritami, and Dave Murphy, go-to-market expert, to dive into the rapidly evolving world of corporate and technical training. With decades of experience in EdTech and a track record of building and exiting successful businesses, Kelby Zorgdrager shares his journey from leading Develop Intelligence to reimagining instructor-led training with Tritami. Dave Murphy brings his expertise in enterprise sales and AI marketplaces to the conversation, highlighting the industry’s shift towards live, customizable, expert-led experiences.  Together, they discuss how Tritami is leveraging AI and automation to streamline training logistics, empower engineering teams, and connect organizations directly with top-tier instructors—moving away from outdated, fragmented models. The conversation covers everything from their fundraising journey and building the initial MVP, to the importance of user-driven development, transparent pricing, and the growing demand for personalized learning in fast-paced tech environments.  Whether you're a SaaS leader, an engineering manager, or simply curious about the future of EdTech, this episode offers an insightful look behind the scenes at an innovative startup working to redefine corporate training.  Show Notes:  00:00 Disrupting Corporate Training Market  06:03 AI Tools Adoption Challenges  09:38 Rapid Feedback-Driven Product Iteration  13:06 "AI-Driven Training Automation Platform"  17:24 Flexible AI Training Models  21:11 Focus on User-Driven Development  22:16 "Testing Ads for January Launch"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/tami-software-raises-400k-in-pre-seed-round  Kelby Zorgdrager’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelbyzorgdrager/  Dave Murphy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemurf/  TryTami’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/try-tami/  TryTami’s Website: https://www.trytami.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Duncan Barrigan, founder and CEO of Lunos, to share his story and expertise. Drawing on a decade of fintech experience—including scaling GoCardless into a multi-billion dollar company—Duncan Barrigan discusses his journey from consulting to launching his own venture.  Tune in to hear how Lunos is tackling the longstanding challenges of B2B payments and receivables. Duncan Barrigan explains how AI workers are reshaping the manual processes of accounts receivable, making it easier for businesses to get paid with less effort and greater speed.  Whether you’re a SaaS CFO, finance professional, or startup founder, you’ll gain practical insights into fundraising, go-to-market strategy, and lessons learned from the trenches of building a fintech startup. Don’t miss this energizing conversation packed with actionable advice and real-world experience!  Show Notes:  00:00 GoCardless Growth Journey  06:09 "Swinging Big with Venture Capital"  10:06 "Similar Questions, Divergent Answers"  13:07 "Direct Motion and SaaS Solutions"  15:56 "Two-Model Service Approach"  17:12 "Optimizing Onboarding and Efficiency"  20:20 Instant Value via AR Scanning  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/lunos-ai-secures-5-million-pre-seed-round  Duncan Barrigan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanbarrigan/  Lunos AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lunos-ai/  Lunos AI’s Website: https://www.lunos.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Aleks Đekić, CEO and co-founder of Alguna, a startup that's reimagining revenue management for modern SaaS and fintech businesses. With a background deeply rooted in product, engineering, and commercial roles across leading fintech and accounting startups, Aleks Đekić dives into the pain points that inspired Alguna’s creation and why flexible, end-to-end revenue automation is becoming essential for scaling tech companies.  Together, they explore Alguna’s journey from early frustrations with billing and quoting tools, through their acceptance into Y Combinator, to fundraising and building a team distributed across the US and Europe. Aleks Đekić shares insights on when SaaS companies should upgrade their revenue management stack, how Alguna’s hybrid pricing and billing platform addresses the needs of subscription and usage-based businesses, and why net revenue retention is his north star metric. Plus, they weigh in on industry trends, from the rise of AI and new software categories to the evolving landscape of revenue management and automation.  Tune in for an engaging conversation about the future of SaaS finances, product-led growth, and lessons learned in building and scaling a next-generation SaaS infrastructure company.  Show Notes:  00:00 Founding Frustrations Spark AI Tool  03:34 "Modern CPQ and Billing Solution"  06:55 Scaling Challenges for Post-Series A Startups  11:11 Raising $4M for Infrastructure Startup  16:06 Focused Sales and Purposeful Growth  17:42 Pricing Strategy and Customer Metrics  20:48 AI Pricing and Monetization Challenges  24:57 "Adapting Quickly to Market Needs"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/alguna-raises-4-million-in-seed-round  Alek’s Jekic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksdjekic/  Alguna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/algunahq/  Alguna’s Website: https://alguna.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Matt Blumberg, CEO of Markup AI, to discuss his remarkable journey through the tech startup world. With over two decades of leadership experience—including building moviefone.com, scaling Return Path to $100 million in revenue, and leading executive search disruptor Bolster—Matt Blumberg brings a wealth of insight into startup growth, business transformation, and adapting to evolving technology.  In this conversation, Matt Blumberg shares the story behind Markup AI, a company redefining how businesses safeguard their content using AI-powered “content guardian agents.” He discusses the recent rebranding from Acrolinx, the impact of large language models on both product and customers, and their transition into a new API-first, consumption-based business model. Listeners will hear lessons about navigating private equity ownership, fundraising for transformative pivots, and crafting multi-pronged go-to-market strategies—from enterprise sales to developer-driven adoption.  Tune in for an honest look at leadership, innovation, and what’s next for Markup AI in the dynamic world of SaaS and AI content management.  Show Notes:   00:00 "AI Guardian for Perfect Content"  03:51 Acrolinx's AI Evolution  09:33 "Defining AI Content Guardians"  11:18 Private Equity Risks in Mid-Market  13:57 AI Adoption Strategies in Enterprises  18:44 "AI Growth and Rebrand Focus"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/markup-ai-raises-27-5-million-in-funding  Matt Blumberg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blumbergmatt/  Markup AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/markupai/  Markup AI’s Website: https://markup.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! This week, Ben Murray sits down with Albert Gozzi, the co-founder and CEO of Aleph, an innovative AI-driven FP&A platform transforming how finance teams operate. Originally from Argentina, Albert Gozzi shares his journey from Procter & Gamble to Bain, and later as a startup CFO, where he experienced firsthand the frustrations of spreadsheet-heavy workflows in finance. Together, they dive into the founding story of Aleph, its mission to streamline financial data and workflows, and how the company’s AI-powered solutions are empowering finance and FP&A teams to work smarter and faster.  In this episode, you'll get insider insights on Aleph’s rapid fundraising journey—having recently closed a $30 million Series B and totaling $47 million to date. Albert Gozzi candidly discusses what investors look for at each funding round, the nuances of scaling go-to-market efforts, lessons learned from dozens of investor rejections, and why finding product-market fit is just the beginning. Plus, they uncover how Aleph’s unique approach to implementation and pricing is winning fans among CFOs in mid-market and private-equity-backed businesses.  If you want a behind-the-scenes look at building and scaling a modern SaaS finance platform, this is the episode for you. Tune in to hear the latest on Aleph’s roadmap, practical advice for SaaS founders, and where the future of FP&A is headed.  Show Notes:  00:00 "AI-Powered Financial Data Management"  03:59 "Flexible Platform for Mid-Market"  08:18 "Road to Series C"  11:01 "Importance of Market Repeatability"  16:19 "Fast Implementation Drives Success"  20:24 "CAC Payback: A Cautious Metric"  22:14 "Doubling Down on AI Advancements"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/aleph-raises-29-million-in-series-b  Albert Gozzi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertgozzi/  Aleph’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getaleph/  Aleph’s Website: https://www.getaleph.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Nathan Gwilliam, the founder and CEO of PodUp, for an in-depth look at building and scaling a SaaS business in the ever-evolving world of podcasting. Nathan shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, from launching his first business at BYU to building and selling three successful companies—including Adoption.com, the world’s most-used adoption platform.  Nathan takes us behind the scenes of PodUp, a platform designed to streamline every aspect of podcast creation, growth, and monetization through a suite of over 60 integrated tools—including sophisticated AI features. He opens up about the inspiration behind PodUp, the challenges of integrating dozens of technologies for content creators, and how a focus on both software and done-for-you services (through Pod Allies) is redefining the podcasting ecosystem.  Together, Ben and Nathan discuss PodUp’s fundraising journey, the nuances of working with angel investors versus VCs, and key metrics that drive sustainable SaaS growth. Nathan also offers practical advice for founders on raising capital, finding the right investors, and why bootstrapping a functional MVP can dramatically improve your fundraising odds. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or SaaS enthusiast, this episode is packed with firsthand insight and actionable takeaways for anyone looking to win big in the creator economy.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Integrated Platform Solving Time Constraints"  06:23 "Comprehensive Content & Monetization Tools"  07:40 Podcast Monetization Strategy Explained  12:56 "Board Accountability and Updates"  14:11 Bootstrap Before Raising Money  18:13 DIY Software Market Challenges  22:13 Key Metrics for SaaS Survival  26:39 "Choosing SaaS Use Cases Wisely"  27:26 "SaaS vs Service Business Valuations"  30:37 "Start & Grow Your Podcast"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/podup-raises-5-8-million-in-funding  Nathan Gwilliam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/  PodUp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/poduppodcasting/  PodUp’s Website: https://podup.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, for an insightful conversation about the evolving landscape of finance technology. Ali shares his journey as an entrepreneur and operator, discusses the genesis and growth of Tabs, and dives deep into the world of revenue automation for B2B companies.  Tune in as Ali explains how Tabs leverages AI and automation to streamline everything from order-to-cash and revenue recognition to forecasting and metrics reporting. You'll hear about the company's impressive growth since its founding in 2023, the state of AI adoption among CFOs and finance teams, and Ali’s perspective on the dynamic ERP space.  Ben and Ali also talk shop about fundraising milestones, go-to-market strategies, and key financial metrics for SaaS companies scaling from Series A to Series B. Whether you’re interested in the future of AI-driven finance operations, the rise of best-of-breed finance tech stacks, or practical insights on team building and product innovation, this episode is packed with actionable advice for finance leaders and SaaS founders alike.  Show Notes:   00:00 AI-Driven Finance Automation Platform  04:36 B2B Growth Focused on Sales  08:13 CFOs Embracing AI Adoption Shift  12:18 "Modern ERP Collaboration Overlegacy"  15:23 "Sales-Finance Integration via AI"  19:30 Finance Expansion and Accountant Channels  21:58 "ERP Market Ripe for Disruption"  25:53 "AI Business Fundamentals & Metrics"  27:45 Automation, Margins, and Customer Focus  31:48 Cash Forecasting Insights for CEOs  34:20 "Finance Innovation & Future Outlook"  37:23 "Making Systems Transparent"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories:   https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/tabs-raises-7-million-in-seed-round  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/tabs-secures-25-million-in-series-a-funding  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/tabs-raises-55-million-in-series-b  Ali Hussain’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/  Tabs’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamtabs/  Tabs’ Website: https://tabs.inc/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Ari Bleemer, co-founder and CEO of One Crew, to dive into the world of construction tech and SaaS for so-called "less sexy" industries. Ari shares the story of how his background in computer engineering and management consulting at Bain led him to uncover a massive technology gap in the construction sector—specifically among paving contractors. You'll hear how One Crew is carving out its place as an all-in-one operational platform for contractors, streamlining every step from leads to invoicing, and eliminating the patchwork of spreadsheets and mismatched software solutions that have long plagued the industry.  Ari opens about the challenges and wins of fundraising, going from a tough seed round to a preempted Series A, and offers valuable insights for founders facing similar hurdles. We also talked about One Crew’s go-to-market strategy, pricing decisions, favorite metrics, and exciting upcoming launches—including their move into enterprise and new features like a subcontractor portal and AI-powered insights. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, investor, or just curious about digital transformation in traditional industries, this episode is packed with practical lessons and inspiration.  Let’s jump into the conversation with Ari Bleemer.  Show Notes:  00:00 Bridging Construction Tech Platform Gap  03:22 Demand for Effective Industry Technology  07:19 Scalable Business Solutions Guidance  10:40 Scaling to Serve Larger Enterprises  12:45 Venture Funding Challenges and Successes  17:06 Optimizing Go-To-Market Strategy  19:59 "Seasonal Growth Challenges and Metrics"  23:26 Enterprise Platform & AI Integration Launch  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/onecrew-raises-3-25-million-in-seed-round  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/onecrew-raises-7-5-million-in-series-a  Ari Bleemer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribleemer/  OneCrew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getonecrew/  OneCrew’s Website: https://www.getonecrew.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Brett Carlson, co-founder and CEO of ServiceUp, to share his entrepreneurial journey and the story behind his latest venture. Brett’s background spans over 25 years in tech, with experience founding and scaling startups on the business side. With ServiceUp, Brett turned his focus to the vehicle repair industry, spotting a massive, underserved $250 billion market ready for modernization and disruption.  Brett dives into how ServiceUp started by offering digital car repair solutions directly to consumers before pivoting to serve fleet operators and insurance companies. He explains the pain points that large fleet owners—think Amazon, UPS, and major rental car companies—face with outdated repair processes, and how ServiceUp’s platform streamlines transactions and increases efficiency for both fleets and repair shops. Brett also shares how thoughtful use of technology and automation, including AI-powered voice agents, has accelerated their reach and operational effectiveness.  Throughout the conversation, Brett offers an inside look at ServiceUp’s rapid growth and successful fundraising journey, including securing a $55 million Series B. He discusses the evolving expectations of investors, the importance of backing up metrics at each funding stage, and key lessons learned from navigating both the highs and lows of startup life. Whether you’re an aspiring SaaS founder or just curious about the intersection of technology and traditional industries, Brett’s insights into building ServiceUp are sure to inspire.  Show Notes:  00:00 Switching Focus to Fleet Services  04:20 Major Retailer Faces $175M Collision Costs  08:43 Frugal Growth and Investment Strategy  12:30 "Investor Monetization Contradictions"  15:21 DoorDash's Missed Market Opportunity  20:30 Advanced AI in Voice & Shop Tech  21:16 Automated Market Entry Strategy  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/serviceup-secures-55-million-in-series-b  Brett Carlson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettcarlson418/  ServiceUp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serviceupio/  ServiceUp’s Website: https://www.serviceup.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray is joined by Ricardo Ghekiere, co-founder of BetterPic. Ricardo takes us through his unconventional entrepreneurial journey, starting with running a coffee bar, dabbling in a variety of ventures, and eventually making his way into the tech space. He shares the fascinating story of how he acquired BetterPic for just one dollar, rebuilt the company from the ground up, and scaled it into a thriving AI-powered business that transforms selfies into professional headshots.  Ricardo talks about navigating the challenges of transitioning from a B2C to a B2B go-to-market strategy, lessons learned from his first fundraising efforts, and his approach to metrics and profitability. We also get a sneak peek into BetterPic’s expansion into the fashion industry, their recent $2.5 million seed round, and Ricardo’s candid insights on scaling, pricing, and international growth. Stick around for actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look at what’s next for BetterPic and its new ventures.  Show Notes:  00:00 Difficulty Attracts Talent  03:25 "Consumer-First, Expand to B2B"  08:53 Startup Secures $2.5M Funding  12:38 "Finding the Right Investors"  15:22 "B2B CRM Essential for Upselling"  17:49 Pricing Experiment Insights  20:09 Monthly Business Metrics Overview  23:52 Business Acquisition in San Francisco  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/betterpic-raises-2-5-million-in-seed-round  Ricardo Ghekiere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-ghekiere/  BetterPic’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterpic/  BetterPic’s Website: https://www.betterpic.io/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray