The SaaS CFO

Welcome to another insightful episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Paul Singh, the dynamic CEO of StrataPT, join us for an in-depth conversation. With a rich background ranging from web hosting and angel investing to co-founding a venture firm and launching a subscription box company, Paul brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives.  In this episode, we'll explore the intricacies of StrataPT's innovative billing-aware practice management platform which streamlines everything from EMR and scheduling to marketing. Paul delves into the company's efficient client onboarding process, their unique sales model involving clinicians as sales reps, and the strategic decision to raise $25 million after a decade of being bootstrapped.  We'll also discuss the significant impact StrataPT has on its clients, improving both financial and patient outcomes, and the company’s focus on key metrics like patient visits and unit transactions. Paul shares his philosophy of optimizing for fun and profit, his strategic approach to fundraising, and the importance of selecting the right growth partners.  Tune in as Paul provides valuable insights into running a SaaS business, navigating the challenges of the healthcare software industry, and his visionary approach to integrating various medical disciplines into StrataPT's comprehensive platform. Get ready to learn, be inspired, and gain actionable ideas for your own SaaS journey.  Show Notes:   00:00 Evolved businesses, fatherhood; founded Bump, StrataPT.  04:31 Billing-aware practice management platform for outpatient services.  08:47 Managing medical practices requires adaptable, varied strategies.  10:18 Variable revenue through collection percentage, no software fee.  13:51 EMR prices rising, focusing on patient visits.  19:25 Evolving into tech-focused company for profitability.  20:34 Navigating company culture while reinventing ourselves.  25:27 Email-gated chart identifies marketing qualified leads.  29:01 Guidance for profit-driven hire and onboarding process.  31:05 Maximizing sales by educating customers on opportunities.  35:05 Reflecting on life's time, fundraising challenges ensued.  36:47 Starting a business is stressful, needs guidance.  40:25 Optimizing for freedom, power, money, fun, profit.  43:10 Money can't solve this industry's unique challenges.  45:54 Track North Star and growth metrics monthly.  49:11 Insightful episode worth sharing with SaaS community.  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stratapt-raises-25-million-in-funding  Paul Singh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsingh/  StrataPT’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratapt/  StrataPT’s Website: https://www.stratapt.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Greetings, SaaS CFO enthusiasts! In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Bilal Tahris, the co-founder and CEO of FlowIt, a company revolutionizing people development through its AI-powered digital coach. Bilal's journey is nothing short of extraordinary—starting out as a diesel mechanic apprentice, he transitioned to helming his family business before diving into the SaaS realm.  Join our host, Ben, as Bilal shares how FlowIt focuses on sectors often overlooked, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality, and aims to improve employee engagement and retention. We delve into the unique modules FlowIt offers, designed to connect with frontline workers and address their specific needs. Bilal articulates how the company's innovative approach not only gathers insights through frequent, efficient surveys but also leverages AI to provide valuable, actionable feedback to leadership.  We also explore FlowIt's impressive growth and strategic expansion plans into the German and Nordic markets, with an eye on entering the Americas. Bilal opens up about their successful fundraising journey, sharing valuable lessons and tips for other founders navigating similar paths. Whether you're an aspiring SaaS founder or simply intrigued by innovative business solutions, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in!  Show Notes:   00:00 Engaging frontline workers through digital development.  05:38 AI enhances company insights and decision-making efficiently.  08:29 Newly unified employee platform expands in modules.  12:10 Decided to fundraise 3 million Swiss francs.  16:56 Secure strong investors early; double VC prospects.  18:22 Insight on aligning timelines and key metrics.  21:30 Learn more about Bilal's journey at Flowit AI.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/flowit-raises-4-2-million-in-seed-round  Bilal Tahris’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bil%C3%A2l-tahris-9074b320/  FlowIt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowit-ag/  FlowIt’s Website: https://www.flowit.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Gary Liskovich, the co-founder and CEO of Harmonyze, join us. Gary's journey is nothing short of fascinating—starting as a mechanical engineer, his career transitioned from academic research to working with cutting-edge technology at Deloitte and Evolution IQ. Today, he's channeling his diverse experiences into revolutionizing the franchise industry through Harmonyze.  We'll dive into how Gary and his team use AI to streamline operations, compliance, and decision-making for franchisors, making them more profitable and efficient. Gary explains the intricate dynamics between franchisors and franchisees and how Harmonyze's AI agent technology simplifies complex tasks and aggregates data to reduce risk and enhance cohesion within franchise networks.  Plus, we'll discuss the challenges and strategies of building and scaling a SaaS company from the ground up. Gary shares insights from Harmonyze's early days, including their Pre-Seed fundraising journey and the philosophy behind their product development. Whether you're a startup enthusiast, an AI aficionado, or someone intrigued by the nuances of franchising, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Let's get started!  Show Notes:  00:00 AI streamlined complex insurance claims management.  05:32 AI enhances relationships and value across franchise locations.  07:11 System analyzes franchises for overlaps, expirations.  12:27 Founder-led, product-driven, learning-focused seed stage startup.  14:46 Educating investors on franchising challenges through storytelling.  18:12 Focus on solving problems, not features.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/harmonyze-secures-2-million-in-pre-seed-round  Gary Liskovich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-liskovich/  Harmonyze’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmonyze/  Harmonyze’s Website: https://www.harmonyze.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another exciting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Pete Foley, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of ModelOp. With a rich background as a serial entrepreneur, Pete has successfully launched and sold several companies in the enterprise software space, including notable names like Infoblox and a thriving security company out of Israel.  Now, Pete's latest venture, ModelOp, is pioneering in the rapidly growing field of AI governance, helping enterprises seamlessly and safely integrate AI models into their operations. ModelOp offers an enterprise software designed to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations while maintaining the efficacy of AI models. This innovative approach positions ModelOp at the forefront of the AI market, which continues to expand at an unprecedented pace.  In this episode, Pete shares invaluable insights into his journey, market dynamics, and the strategic vision driving ModelOp forward. Whether you’re interested in AI, SaaS, or entrepreneurial growth, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Tune in for an in-depth conversation packed with industry expertise and forward-looking perspectives.  Show Notes:   00:00 Exited tech startups, ventured into emerging AI market.  03:43 Enterprise software for AI governance and orchestration.  07:49 AI interest spans all industries, emphasizing global opportunities.  09:58 Emerging Chief AI Officer role within organizations.  14:00 AI attracts significant attention and market tailwind.  19:09 Competitive advantage and strong multi-year contracts secured.  22:16 Understanding market maturity prevents over-investment mistakes.  23:44 ARR reflects growth and competitive advantage focus.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/modelop-raises-10-million-in-series-b  Pete Foley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petefoley2/  ModelOp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modelop/  ModelOp’s Website: https://www.modelop.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have a special guest, Alex Jekowsky, co-founder and CEO of Cents, as he joins our host, Ben, to delve into the dynamic world of modern laundromat management. Alex's unique journey from founding a payments platform for college campuses to investing in laundromats led him to identify a significant gap in sophisticated software solutions for the industry.  In this episode, we'll explore how Cents provides an all-in-one solution for laundromats, combining software and hardware to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. We'll also discuss the importance of a high-quality onboarding process to reduce churn, the role of fulfillment centers, and the company's strategic approach to revenue streams, including subscriptions, processing, and hardware sales. Alex will share insights on fundraising, emphasizing the importance of aligning with investors and the role of storytelling and metrics in securing capital.  Tune in to discover how Cents is revolutionizing the laundromat industry, covering thousands of locations across the U.S., and aiming for triple-digit growth with innovative solutions and a dedicated team. If you're interested in the intersection of SaaS, fintech, and the laundry industry, you won't want to miss this informative and inspiring conversation. Stay tuned!  Show Notes:   00:00 Considered investing in laundromats after Moto acquisition.  04:13 POS for laundromats enhances service management efficiency.  08:09 High-touch support with streamlined onboarding and implementation.  09:59 Focus on recurring revenue, hardware as loss leader.  15:28 Expanding laundry services across diverse real estate sectors.  17:51 Selling software and hardware through strong distribution.  21:13 Strategic M&A leverages market opportunities for growth.  24:04 Fundraise strategically; tailor stages to investors' expectations.  29:05 Focusing on innovation and deeper laundry industry integration.  30:25 Hiring for various roles; open to connections.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/cents-raises-40-million-in-series-b  Alex Jekowsky’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajekowsky/  Cents LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trycents/  Cents Website: https://www.trycents.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Greetings, listeners! Today on The SaaS CFO Podcast, we have an exciting episode lined up for you. Our host, Ben, sits down with Sam Oliver, the founder and CEO of OpenFi. Sam's entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring, having been involved in the startup world for over 14 years with both successes and lessons learned from failures. Notably, Sam grew his previous company, Lead Pro, into a market leader before exiting in a multi-million pound deal.  In this episode, Sam shares his insight into the motivations behind selling Lead Pro, the driving forces behind his current venture OpenFi, and the fascinating potential of conversational AI to transform sales processes. OpenFi, an innovative company specializing in automating the Sales Development Representative (SDR) role, aims to leverage AI to enhance follow-up efficiency, manage leads, and improve customer engagement. Sam provides an in-depth look at how OpenFi is poised to revolutionize professional services using Salesforce integration.  Whether you're a founder, an investor, or a tech enthusiast curious about the future of AI in professional services, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in to hear Sam's perspectives on building value, managing risks, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for OpenFi. Don’t miss it!  Show Notes:   00:00 Started company to solve problems, built value.  05:04 Impressed by AI, overcame doubts, founded company.  07:42 AI builds knowledge base, codifies sales script.  13:32 Third-time founders benefit from network, credibility.  14:34 Focus on targeted niche using Salesforce outreach.  20:45 Prefer direct customer sales over fundraising.  23:11 Excited for robust technology launch and scalability.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/openfi-closes-585k-in-pre-seed-round  Sam Oliver’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam0liver/  OpenFi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openfi-tech/  OpenFi’s Website: https://openfi.tech/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Greetings, SaaS CFO enthusiasts! In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Paul Dudley, the insightful co-founder and CEO of Streamkap. Paul shares his intriguing journey through the SaaS landscape, from his early days as an analyst at Quid to scaling Brightedge's sales in Europe, and eventually founding Streamkap in 2022. Paul dives deep into the world of streaming ETL, explaining how Streamkap is revolutionizing data movement by offering real-time data processing solutions.  We talk about the company's unique value propositions, ideal customer profiles, and pragmatic go-to-market strategies. Paul reveals how Streamkap tackles complex data problems by making streaming data much more accessible and faster than traditional batch processing. Real-world examples, such as real-time data needs in logistics and payments, help illustrate the practical applications of Streamkap’s technology.  Paul also outlines Streamkap's growth trajectory, funding rounds, and plans for the future. From early customer engagements to raising pre-seed and seed rounds, Paul delves into the company’s strategic decisions and lessons learned along the way. Listen in as we explore the exciting advancements in real-time data and gain valuable insights from Paul's extensive experience in the SaaS domain. Don't miss this enlightening episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes:  00:00 Streaming ETL for real-time data integration.  04:02 Shift to affordable, real-time streaming data systems.  07:59 Focus: Mid-market, small enterprises, not startups.  12:14 Launched data transfer product; secured customers, scaled.  15:30 Customer feedback is crucial for prioritization decisions.  18:28 Focus on integrating data into existing architectures.  20:44 New content, customer focus, product transformations.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/streamkap-secures-3-3-million-in-funding  Paul Dudley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldudley/  Streamkap’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/streamkap/  Streamkap’s Website: https://streamkap.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, our host Ben is joined by the dynamic team behind Toystack, a groundbreaking DevOps platform on Kubernetes designed to simplify and scale deployment for startups and SMBs. We have Mukund, Arun, Sravan, and Torun here to discuss how Toystack operates like an innovative coworking space for DevOps, providing essential services like security, logging, monitoring, and alerts.  Together, they delve into the origins of Toystack, targeting developers and startups who lack dedicated DevOps engineers, and how it accelerates product development while cutting costs. We'll explore their user growth strategy, community engagement on Discord, and future plans for integrating AI and new frameworks. The team will share insights on their monetization approach, focusing on converting trial users to paying customers, and their ambitious goals to double their user base in the coming months.  We'll also hear about their journey in securing initial revenue, their decision to maintain the name "Toystack" despite enterprise considerations, and their adventures in funding and team dynamics. Whether you're part of a small startup or an enterprise team, you won't want to miss the valuable lessons and strategies from the co-founders of this innovative platform. So tune in and get ready to be inspired by the story of Toystack!  Show Notes:   00:00 Investment banker turned entrepreneur with ecommerce marketplace.  05:30 Effortless cloud deployment for developers without DevOps.  07:04 Toystack: Scalable DevOps platform for startups' deployment.  12:24 Launched in February, achieved 7000 users globally.  16:19 Focusing on product-led growth for next years.  18:57 We bootstrapped until gaining traction before fundraising.  23:38 Doubling user growth, fostering an active community.  25:49 Community support and deployments are crucial metrics.  28:17 Toystack showcases live open source project deployments.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/toystack-ai-raises-325k-in-pre-seed-round  Toystack’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toystack/  Toystack’s Website: https://toystack.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have a remarkable guest joining us—Lin Qiao, the CEO and co-founder of Fireworks AI. Lin brings a wealth of expertise from her days as a researcher and software engineer, having worked at industry giants like IBM and Facebook. She'll share her inspiring journey from academia to leading innovations in the AI space.  In this episode, Lin takes us through the revolutionary products Fireworks AI offers, aimed at transforming how application developers and product engineers leverage GenAI technology. Imagine building advanced AI-driven applications in days instead of years, without needing an army of engineers. Lin expertly breaks down the company's offerings using a compelling car assembly analogy, making it easy for us to grasp the intricate layers of their technology.  We’ll also dive into the diverse industry applications of Fireworks AI, spanning startups, digital-native enterprises, and traditional companies. Lin discusses the groundbreaking shifts this technology can bring, the unique challenges and costs involved, and how her company aims to simplify this landscape for developers and enterprises alike.  Furthermore, Lin opens up about Fireworks AI's impressive milestones, including their fundraising journey, key metrics, and future product directions. Whether you're an app developer or an enterprise executive, this conversation promises invaluable insights into accelerating innovation with GenAI.  So, grab your headphones and join us for an enlightening discussion with Lin Qiao on The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes:   00:00 From researcher to impactful software engineer at Facebook.  05:47 Mobile apps revolutionized industries, creating vast opportunities.  06:49 Create videos for automation and business efficiency.  09:55 Latency challenges with engaging, high-size JNAI models.  13:33 Accelerating strategy and execution for diverse companies.  17:01 Critical partnerships, funding growth, expand AI system, teamwork.  22:05 Explore and deploy models with Fireworks AI.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/fireworks-ai-secures-25-million-in-series-a  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/fireworks-ai-raises-52-million-in-series-b  Lin Qiao’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-qiao-22248b4/  Fireworks AI’s Linkedn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireworks-ai/  Fireworks AI’s Website: https://fireworks.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray 

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we have an exciting conversation lined up with Nicholas Christiaen and Jonas Deprez, the co-CEOs and co-founders of Donna—a next-generation assistant designed to revolutionize the way sales reps manage their CRM data. Nicholas and Jonas bring a wealth of experience from their previous successful startups, Cashforce and Dalbix, respectively. They share their incredible journey of meeting through a mutual investment opportunity, leveraging their combined expertise to co-found Donna.   In this episode, we dive into the unique features of Donna, its target industries, and the significant pain points it addresses for field sales reps. We also discuss their recent fundraising success, raising $1.7 million in just three weeks, and their ambitious plans to scale globally. Whether you’re interested in how to streamline sales processes, the dynamics of starting a new SaaS venture, or the intricacies of fundraising, this episode has something for you. Stay tuned as Nicholas and Jonas reveal their insights and the future direction of Donna!  Learn more about Donna at askdonna.com. Let’s get started!  Show Notes:   00:00 Donna is the perfect assistant for sales reps.  03:26 Helping reduce admin for sales-intensive industries.  07:06 Main targets: VP sales, innovation leads, sales reps.  10:11 Focused on adoption and potential paid programs.  13:32 Raised $1.7 million quickly with unexpected momentum.  19:53 ROI, time saved, and increased business output.  21:37 Sales reps seeking advantages, PLG motion, enterprise.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/donna-secures-1-6-million-in-pre-seed-round  Nicolas Christiaen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaschristiaen/  Jonas Deprez’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonasdeprez/  Ask Donna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donna-by-dealside/  Ask Donna’s Website: https://askdonna.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray