243: Build in India, Sell to US | Nivas Ravichandran( Head of Marketing, Spendflo)

In this episode of the Startup Operator Podcast, Roshan talks to Nivas, a seasoned SaaS marketer, to discuss his journey and insights into SaaS marketing. Nivas shares his accidental entry into the SaaS world, joining Freshworks (then Freshdesk) post-acquisition of his startup in 2015. The conversation highlights the importance of building a world-class product, visionary leadership from Freshworks CEO Girish, and the challenges of educating the market about SaaS in its early days. Nivas also delves into his role at SpendFlo, emphasizing the value of investing in brand from the outset, developing an intimate event strategy for engagement, and managing expectations when expanding into the US market. 

Topics:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Joining FreshWorks: Early Days and Challenges
03:44 Working with Girish: Leadership and Vision
08:59 FreshWorks Marketing Strategies
14:57 The Shift to Mid-Market and Enterprise
17:26 The Zero to One Journey at SpendFlow
23:00 Navigating Founders' Ideas
24:36 Importance of Brand Investment
26:08 Building Trust Through Branding
29:18 Event Strategy and Execution
36:54 Expanding into the US Market
42:01 Advice for Startup Founders on Marketing

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