The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors

In this engaging discussion, Kareem Amin, CEO and co-founder of Clay, shares his insights on AI-driven growth strategies. He delves into the evolution of go-to-market systems and how Clay has succeeded rapidly by leveraging data. The conversation highlights the transformative role of AI in sales, balancing automation with human touch, and innovative hiring practices to build diverse teams. Kareem also emphasizes the importance of customer engagement, revealing creative tactics like personalized interactions that promote organic word-of-mouth.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Kellogg, Executive in Residence at Balderton Capital and SaaS expert, joins Jason Lemkin to explore the future of SaaS in 2025. They delve into the anticipated surge of IPOs and the evolving dynamics of SaaS sales. The conversation covers the impact of AI on budgets, customer success strategies, and the critical importance of fair enterprise pricing. With insights on navigating private equity acquisitions and the challenges of slow growth, Kellogg offers invaluable advice for SaaS founders looking to thrive in a competitive landscape.

SaaStr 771: The Top Marketing Strategies for 2025 Growth with the CMOs of Snowflake, LinkedIn, and Carta Right now is one of the hardest times of the year for marketers. Most CMOs will be heads down wrapping up a year-end assessment and figuring out what to pitch for next year's budgetary spend to drive revenue, all while navigating an ever-changing environment of inconsistent metrics, lower conversion rates, and a rapid rate of change with the adoption of AI in SaaS. A CMO panel consisting of the CMO of Snowflake, Denise Persson, CMO of Carta Nicole Baer, and the VP of Marketing at LinkedIn for Sales, Gail Moody-Byrd all answer Carilu Dietrick's questions, CMO and advisor formerly at Atlassian, about all things growth for 2025. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code NOVEMBER20 for an extra discount on our very best pricing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is sponsored by: mmhmm.app Build client relationships faster with mmhmm, the app that helps you impress prospects in every meeting. Create and send recordings that help them get to know you. Try it free on Mac and Windows at mmhmm.app. That's M-M-H-M-M dot app

Discover how to spot bad VC investors with 11 practical tips. Learn the importance of reference checks and understanding an investor's long-term goals. Delve into the nuances of second checks and the risks of control in the founder-investor relationship. Explore the decision-making process between bootstrapping and venture capital. Gain insights on enhancing communication with potential investors to secure follow-up funding.

Tomasz Tunguz, General Partner at Theory Ventures, dives into the evolving landscape of SaaS Go-to-Market strategies. He discusses the recent shift from security concerns to ROI as the main barrier for AI adoption. The survey insights reveal longer sales cycles and increased sales quotas, yet founders remain optimistic. Interestingly, AI has yet to prove its value in conversion rates or ARR growth. For those contemplating pricing changes, introducing hybrid models could boost net dollar retention significantly.

René Lacerte, CEO and founder of BILL, shares insights from leading a financial operations platform serving half a million customers. He discusses the evolution of BILL's operations and revenue growth, emphasizing the importance of addressing multiple stakeholders. René highlights the role of AI and mobile accessibility in enhancing user experience and customer engagement. He also explores the challenges of vendor switching, competitive advantages, and the necessity of understanding SMB pain points to create scalable solutions.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing sales practices and the essential role of human intuition in the mix. Delve into the challenges of scaling SaaS companies, from recruitment to multi-product strategies. Gain insights on fostering strong leadership and team relationships, along with the critical nature of hiring top talent. Explore financial strategies crucial for navigating the SaaS landscape while maintaining a profitable Ideal Customer Profile. Real-world examples from industry leaders illuminate the path to innovation and success.

Explore the transformative wave of hyper-functional SaaS, as leaders face rising customer expectations amid fierce competition. Discover how AI and automation are reshaping strategies and the importance of multi-product approaches. Gain insights into current growth challenges, product-market fit issues, and the necessity for innovation. Real-world examples from companies like Slice, Datadog, and Monday highlight navigating market dynamics successfully. Don't miss key strategies for thriving in the modern SaaS landscape!

Join Sameer Dholakia from Bessemer Venture Partners, Julia Chapin of Abridge, Kate Jensen from Anthropic, Rami Karabibar of EvenUp, and Timothy Young from Jasper as they dive into the transformative impact of AI across industries. They discuss building defensible business models and highlight the importance of trust and partnerships to sustain growth. The conversation also covers adapting SaaS and healthcare communications through AI innovations, and the essential strategies for user retention in this rapidly evolving tech landscape.

In a compelling discussion, Loren Padelford, CRO of Slice and former Shopify Plus executive, shares his insights on selling and scaling in vertical SaaS. He breaks down how Slice supports independent pizzerias with tailored software solutions, emphasizing the distinct strategies needed to compete with larger chains. Loren discusses the resilience of the pizza industry, key characteristics of effective sales teams, and the importance of building trust with SMBs. A must-listen for those looking to understand the nuances of vertical SaaS!