The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors

Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot, shares insights on the AI-driven transformation in sales and marketing. She discusses how HubSpot navigated changes after ChatGPT's arrival and emphasizes the importance of adapting to evolving customer expectations. Rangan highlights the balance between AI and human engagement in customer interactions. The conversation also covers the shift from static websites to dynamic platforms and the necessity of curiosity and growth mindset in the tech industry.

Kyle Norton, Chief Revenue Officer of the billion-dollar company Owner, shares insights on the transformative role of AI in sales. He discusses the necessity for sales leaders to embrace AI technologies and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The conversation dives into the challenges and efficiencies AI brings to sales processes, including the future roles of sales professionals. Norton also explores the integration of AI in enhancing customer journeys and managing hybrid teams, providing practical strategies for navigating this evolving landscape.

The podcast dives into the urgent need for businesses to adapt quickly to the AI-driven transformation within the SaaS industry. It highlights real-world examples of AI improving sales, customer support, and coding productivity. A spotlight is placed on Palantir's impressive growth thanks to enterprise AI, contrasting it with slower traditional companies. Listeners are urged to rethink strategies, reskill teams, and innovate relentlessly to stay competitive. The discussion emphasizes that it's time to push boundaries or risk being left behind.

Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, shares insights on the transformative role of AI in B2B. He discusses major acquisitions like Tableau and Slack, and their impact on merging data with AI. Benioff highlights the competitive landscape against giants like Microsoft, and emphasizes the need for effective AI integration within companies. He also explores the importance of data management and Salesforce's innovative products like Agent Force, all while promoting philanthropy in entrepreneurship through the 1% model.

SaaStr 800: 10 Ways AI Is Going to Change Sales. For Real with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin

Ethan Kurzweil, founding partner at Chemistry VC and former partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, dives deep into the Series A funding landscape. He discusses the significant declines in deal activity since 2021 and extended funding timelines for startups. Kurzweil highlights the fierce competition with more capital concentrated in fewer deals and a drastic drop in graduation rates from seed to Series A, creating a challenging environment for founders. Strategies for adapting to these changes and the impact of AI on funding dynamics are also explored.

Explore the excitement building for the upcoming SaaStr Annual 2025 in the SF Bay Area! Discover unmatched networking opportunities, including personalized meetings with industry leaders. Learn how attending can connect you with potential C-suite hires and investors. Hundreds of workshops will keep you ahead in B2B SaaS, Cloud, and AI. Plus, get inspired by legendary speakers from top companies like Snowflake and OpenAI. Don’t miss the chance to win funding at the AI Demo & Pitch Stage!

Join Sam Blond, stealth CEO and former CRO of Brex, as he dives into the evolving interface of AI in sales and marketing alongside host Jason Lemkin. They discuss how AI is revolutionizing productivity and the nuances of cold calling versus cold emailing. Sam shares insights on the necessary balance between technology and personal engagement in sales. With real-world examples from industry leaders, they outline how B2B professionals must adapt to AI-driven changes and the critical role of communication in outreach.

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Kennedy, Vice President of Google Cloud Marketing and an expert in AI and cloud computing, shares insights on Google Cloud's explosive growth. She delves into the pivotal role AI plays in their success, highlighting cutting-edge innovations like Vertex AI and Gemini. The conversation also touches on why startups are increasingly drawn to Google Cloud, emphasizing customer-centric strategies and the shift towards developer-led decisions. Plus, discover how partnerships, especially with Salesforce, are reshaping business strategies in the AI era.

SaaStr 795: The AI Impact on Banking and Finance with CEO and Co-founder at Treasury Prime, Chris Dean Join SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin and Chris Dean from Treasury Prime as they delve into the intricate world of Banking as a Service (BaaS) and FinTech. The discussion spans a host of critical topics, including the fallout from Silicon Valley Bank, the complexities of reconciliation, Synapse and Evolve's banking controversy, and the evolving financial landscape. They also explore the resurgence of FinTech, the impact of AI on banking operations, and Treasury Prime's upcoming AI-powered operational tools. A must-watch for anyone interested in the future of banking and financial technology.    ----------------------   Alright everybody in SaaS, this is it.  The biggest, best, most action-packed SaaS + AI event of the year—SaaStr Annual 2025—is coming this May. Three full days. 10,000+ SaaS and AI leaders and more tactical, no-fluff content than you’ll find anywhere else.   If you want to scale faster—$10M, $50M, $100M ARR and beyond—you need the right playbooks, the right connections and the right people in your corner. And SaaStr Annual is where it all happens. We'll have 100's of Legendary speakers from companies like Snowflake, HubSpot, OpenAI, Canva, and more. More networking than you can handle—meet your next investor, co-founder, or biggest deal.  A New AI Demo & Pitch Stage— with your chance to win up to $5M in funding!  So don’t wait—grab your tickets now at SaaStrAnnual.com with my code jason100 to save $100 on tickets before prices go up. That's jason 100 at saastrannual.com   See you in May!    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Do you know what would make your customer service helpdesk dramatically better? Dumping it and switching to Intercom.  But, youʼre not quite ready to make that change. We get it!   Thatʼs why Fin, the worldʼs leading AI customer service agent, is now available on every helpdesk.   Fin can instantly resolve up to 80% of your tickets,  Which makes your customers happier. And you can get off the customer service rep hiring treadmill.   Fin by Intercom. Named the #1 AI Agent in G2ʼs Winter Report.      Learn more at : inter.com/saastr   ------------------------------------