"Tech Finance" with Sasha Orloff: B2B Fintech | AI | Finance Tech
Puzzle, Turpentine
On Tech Finance, host Sasha Orloff brings you inside the office of the CFO - covering major tech finance news including funding announcements, deals, product launches, and emerging players shaping B2B fintech. We break down the week's biggest developments in finance tech and accounting, and explore how finance leaders are putting AI to work.Tech Finance is brought to you by Puzzle, the modern accounting platform with an AI-first ledger, built for speed, automation, and real time decision making. Learn more: puzzle.ioTech Finance is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 25, 2025 • 56min
E57: Lessons from Brex, SVB, a16z: How Jason Mok Spots What Founders Need Before They Know It
In this discussion with Jason Mok, VP & GM of Startups at Brex, we dive into Brex's evolution from credit card services to a full-fledged financial platform. Jason shares insights on how Brex simplifies startup onboarding with innovative features like one-click accounting, seamlessly integrating with Puzzle for real-time bookkeeping. He reflects on his time at Silicon Valley Bank and how its culture shaped his approach to supporting founders. The conversation highlights the importance of proactive financial infrastructures in scaling startup success.
Sep 17, 2025 • 43min
E56: 5,000 Startups Later: Tax Lessons Every Founder Needs with Joe Faris
Joe Faris, founder of Accountalent and a veteran in helping over 5,000 startups, shares invaluable insights from his 40 years of experience. He discusses essential tax strategies, emphasizing the importance of 83B elections and timely compliance to avoid costly mistakes. Joe also highlights payroll challenges startups face when hiring across state lines and shares tips on maintaining robust bookkeeping practices. His expert advice empowers founders to navigate the complex world of taxes and finance with confidence.
Sep 5, 2025 • 40min
E55: First Round and YC-Backed Startup 'Eliminating Business Bullshit' | Josh Wymer, CEO of CentralHQ
Josh Wymer, Co-founder and CEO of Central HQ, shares insights on revolutionizing business operations with AI. He discusses raising $8.6 million from First Round Capital and Y Combinator to streamline back-office tasks through Slack-based automation. The conversation reveals how AI can alleviate the burdens of payroll and compliance for startups, highlighting the importance of trust and transparency in automation. Wymer also emphasizes the need for emotional branding and differentiation in the competitive finance sector, ensuring businesses stay agile and efficient.
Aug 27, 2025 • 38min
E54: Filling the Gap Between QuickBooks and NetSuite with SoftLedger CEO Ben Taylor
Ben Taylor, CEO and Co-founder of SoftLedger, offers insight into revolutionizing accounting with his API-first general ledger. He discusses his journey from personal challenges to creating a solution for businesses outgrowing QuickBooks. The conversation highlights the integration of AI in accounting, emphasizing its potential to streamline complex processes while maintaining user-friendly interfaces. Taylor also shares innovative approaches to fundraising, shifting from traditional models to customer-driven strategies that underscore the importance of client satisfaction in tech finance.
4 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 38min
E53: How AI Agents are Replacing Manual Accounting Work with Truewind CEO Alex Lee
Join Alex Lee, the co-founder and CEO of Truewind, a pioneer in AI-powered accounting. He discusses how Truewind's technology is revolutionizing traditional accounting by cutting data reconciliation time from hours to minutes. Alex shares insights on the adoption of AI in the industry, the challenges of fundraising in a tough climate, and how customer feedback drives innovation. He also highlights the importance of retaining human oversight in finance, emphasizing that AI enhances accountants' roles rather than replacing them.
4 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 37min
E52: Building a Viral Contract Platform: Will Hubbard, CEO of Agree
Will Hubbard, Founder & COO of Agree, dives into the creation of a game-changing platform that integrates contracting, invoicing, and payments seamlessly. He shares insights on Agree's rapid growth and the impact of their recent $7.2M seed round. The conversation highlights the importance of user-centered design in finance tech and how AI is reshaping the industry. Hubbard also reveals how their platform simplifies the contracting process, turning tedious tasks into delightful user experiences, and discusses the significance of fostering customer empathy in product development.
Jul 24, 2025 • 43min
E51: Ramp for Revenue: The Tabs Playbook for Faster Cash Flow with CEO Ali Hussain
Ali Hussain, CEO of Tabs and a former PhD student, dives into how AI is transforming revenue and collections management. He shares insights on reducing days sales outstanding (DSO) and boosting efficiency for finance teams. The discussion covers his $25M funding journey and the integration of AI to streamline financial processes. Ali also highlights the challenges faced by traditional finance systems and the potential for automation to drive scalable growth. Ultimately, he envisions a future where finance professionals adapt creatively to these tech advancements.
Jul 21, 2025 • 38min
E50: Zuora CFO Todd McElhatton on Why 70% of Finance Stacks Hold Back Growth
Todd McElhatton, CFO of Zuora, shares his vast experience from Oracle and VMware, focusing on the evolving role of finance leaders. He discusses the critical challenges posed by outdated systems and the importance of embracing AI in accounting. Insights from the 'Modern Finance Leader' report highlight how technology can streamline operations. McElhatton emphasizes the transformative potential of modern tools for improving efficiency and reducing administrative burdens, positioning CFOs as strategic decision-makers in the face of rapid technological change.
4 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 37min
E49: Why Accel Backed Campfire to Build the Modern GL, with John Glasgow, CEO
In this engaging discussion, John Glasgow, CEO and CFO of Campfire, shares his journey of building an AI-native ERP system designed for finance teams. Fresh off a $35 million funding round, he dives into the challenges of modernizing legacy systems and the critical role of automation in finance workflows. Glasgow also emphasizes the urgent need for innovation in accounting tech, highlighting real-world impacts and success stories that showcase the shift toward strategic finance in today's fast-paced business landscape.
Jul 9, 2025 • 40min
E48: Why Sequoia Invested $25M in Accounting Software with Rillet CEO Nicolas Kopp
Nicolas Kopp, CEO & Founder of Rillet, is on a mission to reshape accounting with AI. They chat about Rillet's impressive $25 million funding from Sequoia and how their innovative software is revolutionizing financial management for mid-market companies. He discusses the necessity of clean data and the role of AI in streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and supporting lean finance teams. Real-world success stories illustrate how Rillet empowers businesses to make faster, more accurate financial decisions.
