Category Visionaries Daniel Saks, CEO & Co-Founder of Landbase: $12.5 Million Raised to Power the Future of GTM Automation
Landbase is pioneering a new approach to go-to-market automation, using agentic AI to help businesses generate leads that convert. With $12.5 million in seed funding, Landbase is automating the mundane aspects of sales and marketing while leveraging machine intelligence to recommend high-converting campaign strategies.
In this episode of Category Visionaries, I spoke with Daniel Saks, CEO and Co-Founder of Landbase, about his journey from building the unicorn AppDirect to his latest venture. Daniel shared his vision for creating software that works for you, not the other way around, and how AI-powered tools can help reclaim your day by turning months-long campaign processes into minutes.
Topics Discussed:
- Landbase's mission to solve the challenge of generating leads that convert
- Using agentic AI to create go-to-market campaigns with high conversion potential
- The transition from months to minutes for launching marketing campaigns
- Daniel's journey building AppDirect into a unicorn and his decision to start Landbase
- The shifting landscape of B2B technology from on-prem to SaaS to AI
- Finding motivation beyond material success and focusing on mission-driven work
- Landbase's three core OKRs: faster, cheaper, better
- How AI can harness data to enhance human performance, not replace humans
- Building "GTM1 Omni," Landbase's domain-specific model for go-to-market insights
- The concept of "digital trust" and its importance in modern marketing efforts
GTM Lessons For B2B Founders:
- AI should augment humans, not replace them: Daniel emphasizes that AI's role is to "automate the mundane so humans can do more human things." The most effective AI implementation preserves human agency while enhancing performance through machine intelligence.
- Focus on micro-ICPs for higher conversion: Landbase's data shows that targeting micro-ICPs (Ideal Customer Profiles) or niche audiences with specific problems can yield dramatically higher engagement rates—sometimes up to 90% email open rates compared to 1% for broader approaches.
- Opportunity in underdigitized industries: Traditional businesses like tool and die manufacturing, landscaping, or mining represent untapped markets for digital solutions. Being the first to create content for these niches can give you a significant advantage.
- Digital trust is the new currency: Building trust through your digital presence is critical. This includes having relevant case studies (video performs better than text), third-party ratings and reviews, credible authorities discussing your brand, and strong domain authority through proper backlinks.
- The Y Combinator playbook is outdated: Daniel argues that the traditional lean startup methodology of building a point solution around a defined customer market doesn't work in today's AI landscape. Creating a sustainable moat requires thinking differently and taking greater risks.
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Sponsors:
Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership.
The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.