Zac Bookman, Co-founder and CEO of OpenGov, shares insights from his journey of building a GovTech powerhouse acquired for $1.8 billion. He discusses the complexities of enterprise sales and pricing strategies, stressing the importance of high gross retention in SaaS businesses. Zac reveals why founders and investors often misalign and how that can impact M&A decisions. He critiques inflated valuations in venture capital and reflects on the emotional journey of selling a company, illustrating the balance between innovation and financial health.

Zac Bookman, co-founder and CEO of OpenGov, shares his journey from an anti-corruption litigator to leading a billion-dollar govtech company. He discusses the challenges of transforming government efficiency using tech innovations, especially in navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Zac offers insights on integrating AI for better government operations and provides advice on utilizing DOGE for meaningful reforms. With a strong emphasis on transparency and responsiveness, he highlights the importance of local leadership in driving change.

Zac Bookman, Founder and CEO of OpenGov, shares his journey in revolutionizing local government finance through technology. He discusses the intricate dynamics of governmental structures, emphasizing the need for transparency and effective execution. Zac shares insights from his time advising on counter-corruption in Afghanistan and outlines the unique challenges of building vertical SaaS in regulated markets. Additionally, he reflects on the importance of community involvement, personal growth through mountaineering, and how feedback can shape successful organizations.

Jason opens the show with a brief recap of "Noodlegate" and the end of cancel culture (2:09). Then he chats with OpenGov CEO Zac Bookman for the latest installment of our Next Unicorns series (14:10) about what makes governments ineffective (25:46), preventing corruption (30:37), the challenges selling into governments (35:54), how some states like Idaho & West Virginia have made their detailed budgets public on the cloud and more!

Zac Bookman, CEO of OpenGov, transforms how government budgets are visualized, while Mike Kasperzak, a former mayor, shares invaluable insights on integrating tech in local governance. They discuss the tension between technology and government, highlighting how software can enhance public transparency. The duo emphasizes the need for centralized tech leadership and community engagement, as well as the challenges of bringing less tech-savvy citizens into the fold. Ultimately, they explore how these innovations could redefine our connection with civic services.