The SaaS CFO

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast. In today's episode, we have a special guest, Ben Williams, CEO and co-founder of Loopin. Ben shares his fascinating background, starting from his time in the British Royal Marines Commandos to working with high-profile football clubs, and eventually finding his way into the business world.   He explains how the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to pivot and create a SaaS technology solution to address the disconnect between managers and employees. Ben gives us an inside look into Loopin's innovative approach, leveraging generative AI and personalized data to improve employee engagement, morale, and upskilling.   Join us as we dive deeper into the world of Loopin and explore the ways this technology is revolutionizing organizations' approach to creating high-performing teams. Stay tuned for an insightful conversation with Ben Williams on this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast.  Show Notes  [00:00:15] Military background led to creating SaaS tech.  [00:03:03] Uncertainty during the pandemic led to change.  [00:09:08] Product captures and learns about users' experiences. Encourages effective leadership and teamwork.  [00:11:26] Challenges in multiple markets, especially burnout.  [00:15:46] Tech world budget cuts, HR as buyers  [00:18:09] Funding journey for a start-up during recession.  [00:23:59] SaaS win with Oxford University, revolutionizing technology.  [00:25:55] Loopin offers coaching and connections.  Links Saas Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/loopin-raises-1-6-million-in-seed-round Loopin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lets-loopin/ Loopin Website: https://www.letsloopin.com/ Ben Williams’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-williams-vgs/    To know more about Ben check the links below: Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-pageSaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkoutFollow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Toni Holbein, CEO and co-founder at Growblocks, shares insights on revenue modeling and go-to-market strategies. The discussion covers the need for data-driven approaches in revenue operations, tracking progress, generating demand, and securing funding for product development and expansion.

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Denis Chernobaev, CEO and co-founder of Getplace.io. Denis shares his background in the fast-growing food tech industry and how it led him to the creation of Getplace.io. He explains how Getplace.io helps small and medium businesses make informed decisions about their future locations by providing affordable access to valuable data. Through their subscription-based service, businesses can analyze footfall, vehicle traffic, demographic insights, spending data, and competitor analysis, all at a fraction of the cost typically associated with such tools.Denis also discusses different use cases and patterns of usage among their current clients. Don't miss this insightful conversation on leveraging data for strategic decision-making. Stay tuned for more on The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes  [00:01:49] Affordable tool helps businesses choose ideal locations.  [00:04:04] Choose locations wisely based on research.  [00:06:55] Limited data, ongoing improvements attract and retain clients.  [00:10:51] Product launched in February, attracting paying customers.  [00:15:36] Co-founder experience, MVP delay, remote market.  [00:19:03] Plans to expand into Netherlands with more complex products and negotiate with partners; considering raising funds for future expansion. Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/getplace-io-raises-pre-seed-round Getplace.io's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getplace-io/ Getplace.io's Website: https://getplace.io/Denis Chernobaev’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-chernobaev/  To know more about Ben check the links below: Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-pageSaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkoutFollow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray #saas #thesaascfo #podcast #saasmetrics #saasmetricsschool #benmurray

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Charles Brecque, founder and CEO of Legislate. Charles shares his insights on the inefficiencies of dealing with contracts and the need for a better solution.   He explains how Legislate's contract creation and management platform is aimed at people operations and finance, rather than legal teams. Charles also discusses their unique approach of using Knowledge Graph technology to track and analyze contract data.   We delve into the challenges CFOs face with contract management and the value that Legislate brings to the table. So, join us as we dive into this fascinating conversation with Charles Brecque on The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes  [00:01:52] We offer a contract management platform for people operations and finance. Our key differentiators are user-friendly features and accurate contract tracking using Knowledge Graph technology.  [00:05:53] Early stage company pivoting to focus on larger clients and empower businesses to create contracts without legal involvement.  [00:08:45] Impressive growth, novel approach using knowledge graph, securing patents, ready for market after funding rounds.  [00:11:13] Fundraising is distracting and stressful for founders, but it's important to minimize distractions and focus on investors who understand the business.  [00:14:11] Contact us at legislate.AI for more information.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Story: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/legislate-secures-3-6-million-in-funding Charles Brecque’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-brecque/ Legislate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legislate/ Legislate Website: https://legislate.ai/ Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ 

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Paul Foster, founder and CEO of OnePlan. With a background in crowd science, Paul has extensive experience in managing large-scale events, including the Olympics.  Frustrated with the traditional methods of event planning, Paul embarked on a mission to revolutionize the industry with OnePlan. This innovative platform offers 2D and 3D mapping technology that not only streamlines the planning process but also optimizes risk management and enhances operational efficiency.   Join us as we dive into the world of event planning and discover how OnePlan is transforming the way we think about mapping and simulation.  Show Notes  00:01:36 Paralympic journey led to managing diverse events.  00:05:25 3D models used in operational planning, security, and commercialization.  00:08:56 Subscription model for event site plans.  00:11:55 Startup partner of Olympic Games, advertising methods.  00:14:12 Sustainable fundraising strategy, milestone-based growth, experienced investors.  00:17:06 Lessons learned in fundraising and investor strategy.  00:20:31 Focusing on target markets for progress and success. Links  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/oneplan-raises-5-3-million-in-funding OnePlan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-plan-events/ OnePlan Website: https://www.oneplanevents.com/ Paul Foster’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosteroneplan/ Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ 

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, I have the pleasure of hosting Max Brentzel, co-founder and CEO at Spoke AI. Max, hailing from Germany and now based in Berlin, shares his journey in the tech scene and how the city's startup ecosystem has evolved over the years.   With a background in economics and international expansion, Max brings a unique perspective to the table. Tune in as he discusses Spoke AI's privacy-first AI products that help users streamline and prioritize their communication across various tools, ultimately saving time and increasing efficiency.   Discover how Spoke AI's standalone app within Slack and web app cater to the needs of product managers, summarizing and organizing their busy channels and threads.   Max also delves into the importance of user control and the future plans for Spoke AI's premium tier.   Don't miss this insightful episode packed with valuable insights for SaaS founders and tech enthusiasts alike.  Show Notes   [00:01:54] AI products prioritize and summarize communication.  [00:03:53] User controls communication data processing for privacy.  [00:08:22] Limited company onboarding to ensure reliable Summarization.  [00:10:13] Early core team, AI expertise = success.  [00:15:27] Launching new product, enclosed beta in May. Exciting features coming to Slack app.  Links  SaaS Fundraising Story: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/spoke-ai-raises-2-million-in-pre-seed-round Max Brenssell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-brenssell/ Spoke.ai’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spoke-ai/ Spoke.ai’s Website: https://www.spoke.ai/ Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Ratnesh Verma, founder and CEO of Pidge. Ratnesh shares his diverse background, which includes working in seven different countries and holding prominent positions at companies like Whitbread and Hyatt.   Despite not having a tech background, Ratnesh ventured into the world of SaaS startups and founded Pidge. He discusses the timing and opportunity that led him to start the company in India's booming ecommerce ecosystem. Ratnesh also delves into the state of SaaS in India, highlighting the low digital adoption and legacy systems prevalent in the market.  He then provides an in-depth look at the unique products and services Pidge offers, emphasizing its end-to-end logistics solution with a focus on cash on delivery, customer experience, and demand aggregation. We learn about Pidge's self-serve and low code approach, as well as its pay-as-you-go pricing model.   Lastly, Ratnesh reveals that Pidge caters to anyone who delivers, regardless of the channel or industry, making it a versatile solution for various businesses. Stay tuned as we dive into the world of SaaS and logistics with Ratnesh Verma on this exciting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes: [00:02:12] Timing and opportunity fueled explosive growth in Indian ecommerce. It will reach a trillion by the end of the decade. The delivery ecosystem is fragmented and unorganized, which our solution is digitizing.  [00:04:32] Pidge offers unique end-to-end logistics solution.  [00:09:00] Keep it simple and understood by all.  [00:13:16] Raise enough capital for successful deployment; continue rapid growth; launch additional services; expand nationally.  [00:14:27] Fundraising is challenging, time-consuming, but rewarding.  [00:18:05] Pidge In: One-stop source for all things  Links:   Saas Fundrasing Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/pidge-raises-3-million-in-funding Ratnesh Verma’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratnesh-verma-8418a1a3/ Pidge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pidge-mobility/ Pidge Website: https://pidge.in/ Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ 

Luba Chudnovets, Co-founder and CEO of Cordless, discusses their telephony platform that uses AI-driven conversation intelligence for customer support. They focus on sentiment analysis, call categorization, and 100% visibility in support conversations. They predict conversation analysis will be used by all companies in the future.

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Janis Vavere, the co-founder of Trace Space. Janis shares his journey from starting as a Sales Development Representative to becoming a sales leader and eventually starting his own company. He discusses Trace Space's mission to empower and support innovators in the field of systems engineering. Janis explains the importance of requirements management in building complex products and how Trace Space aims to provide a purpose-built solution for engineers and innovators. We dive into the industries that Trace Space focuses on, their team size, and their recent pre-seed funding round. Join us as we learn from Janis's experiences and dive deeper into the world of SaaS and engineering solutions. It's an episode you don't want to miss!   Highlights: [00:00:18] Typical background, promoted, managed accounts, scaled company. Empowering innovators at Trace Space. [00:03:32] Managing large accounts for systems engineering products; organizing user conferences; passionate about the founder persona; working with companies building future products to improve efficiency. [00:09:11] Validating need, building team, obtaining practitioner validation. [00:11:31] Early validation, luck, and market analysis key. [00:15:42] LinkedIn is the best place to learn. Links: Saas Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/trace-space-raises-1-5-million-in-pre-seed-round Janis Vavere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2bsaas/ Trace Space LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trace-space/ Trace Space Website: https://trace.space/ Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/ 

Welcome to another exciting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we have very special guests who will reveal the secrets to seamless billing in usage-based pricing in the SaaS industry. Joining Ben are Griff Parry and John Griffin, co-founders of M3ter, a groundbreaking platform that is revolutionizing the way companies handle pricing, billing, and revenue operations. Get ready to dive deep into the world of SaaS finance as Griff and John, along with our host Ben, discusses the challenges of traditional pricing models, the power of usage-based pricing, and how M3ter is empowering CFOs to take control of their pricing strategies. Whether you're a SaaS company looking to optimize your revenue streams or a finance professional seeking innovative solutions, you won't want to miss this episode. So grab your headphones, sit back, and get ready to unveil the secrets of successful SaaS invoicing on The SaaS CFO Podcast! Highlights: [00:01:13] Early engineering career led to big data. Sold and built systems, worked with Griff. Specialized in complex IT systems for media companies. Expanded to work with Disney, AT&T, Liberty. Used basic tools like IBM, WebSphere, Oracle. [00:04:32] Usage based pricing pain points inspired Meta. [00:06:48] M3ter helps CFOs control pricing decisions, billing, and revenue through their platform, which consolidates data sources and provides real-time billing and revenue information. [00:13:29] Billing is difficult, revenue leakage is common, customer experience and continuous pricing are important. 00:15:47 Pricing agility and automation saves time, money. [00:20:15] M3ter excels at complexity, billing, and usage-based models. Ideal customers are mid-sized software companies. Key decision-makers are CFOs or product leaders. Primarily focused on North America and Western Europe. Rapidly expanding customer base in APAC. [00:24:34] Seed stage company, not established product-market fit. [00:28:40] Easier the second time around for founders. [00:29:34] Choose partners carefully; UK and US VCs helpful. [00:33:29] Customer case studies showing platform impact. Links: Griff Parry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinparry/ Founder and CEO John Griffin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpgriffin/ Founder and CRO m3ter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/m3ter/  m3ter’s Website: https://www.m3ter.com/ SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/m3ter-raises-17-5-million-in-seed-round Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray/