#273 Ed Frederici on AI, CTO role in Acquisitions, and the Future of SaaS

12/14/23 • 39 min

Have you ever wondered how the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry has evolved over the years? Get ready to unravel the intricacies of SaaS with Ed Frederici, the CTO of AppFire, as he shares his rich experiences from working with startups to giants like Salesforce. Our enlightening conversation journeys through the complexities of integrating various tools and the challenges that ensue. With Ed's know-how, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of SaaS, and how it has become a game-changer in the tech industry.

Shifting gears, we navigate the tricky terrain of acquisitions and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in businesses. Ed stresses the importance of setting solid expectations during acquisitions and the aspects to bear in mind while implementing AI. We conclude with a candid discussion on the trials faced by today's CTOs amidst the ever-evolving tech landscape. Whether you're an aspiring CTO or a seasoned tech leader, tune in for a deep dive into the fascinating world of SaaS, the art of mastering acquisitions, and harnessing the power of AI. This episode promises valuable takeaways and practical advice to help you conquer the challenges of leadership in technology.

More about Ed:

Ed is a seasoned tech executive whose experience has helped Appfire smoothly navigate the technological challenge of integrating the multiple apps and solutions the company has added via acquisitions.

Before joining Appfire, he served as CTO for Salesforce Marketing Cloud (previously ExactTarget), Terminus, Cheetah Digital and Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edfrederici

https://appfire.com

More about Ed:

Before joining Appfire, he served as CTO for Salesforce Marketing Cloud (previously ExactTarget), Terminus, Cheetah Digital and Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edfrederici

https://appfire.com

Previous Episode

#272 The Future of AI in Retail and E-commerce: Insights from Connectly's Co-founder, Yandong Liu

Join me for a compelling conversation with our fascinating guest, Yandong Liu, the tech genius behind Connectly. As the CTO and co-founder, Yandong takes us on his unique journey - from the world of academia to the cutting-edge universe of AI, with a specific emphasis on his decision to revolutionize conversational commerce. We tackle the power of business messaging, discussing its expansive potential and the superior experience it offers, throwing traditional communication methods out the window. You'll get a glimpse into how messaging establishes genuine one-on-one relationships between businesses and customers, reshaping the way businesses interact.

We also take on the transformative power of AI in marketing, particularly for the retail and e-commerce industry. Hear from Yandong on how AI is playing a crucial role in automating marketing campaigns, personalizing messages, and engaging customers with conversational AI. We delve into the future potential of conversational AI, envisioning it as a pivotal growth channel. Learn about the importance of integrating AI into businesses, bridging the data gap, and offering a plug-and-play solution for smaller retailers.

In our final segment of the conversation, we bring the world of retail into the spotlight, discussing AI's potential to enhance the shopping experience and the necessity of automation for staying competitive. Hear our personal experiences and insights as co-founders, navigating the startup ecosystem, and our journey raising Series A funding. Yandong opens up about the unique challenges of running an AI technology startup and offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. So, buckle up for a deep-dive into the world of AI, automation, and an inspiring startup journey!

More about Yandong:

https://www.connectly.ai

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yandongliu

Next Episode

#274 Fintech Innovations in Digital Lending with Andres Klaric

Can you imagine revolutionizing the auto loan industry? That's exactly what our guest, Andres Klaric, co-founder of Fuse, a cutting-edge fintech company, set out to do. With roots in the auto-loving community of Bolivia, he saw a pressing need for automation in the lending process and jumped in headfirst to create a solution. He gives us the scoop on how this led to a major transition from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B model, as well as the role of low-code platforms and APIs in transforming the traditional banking system. Toss in a dash of fierce competition with Silicon Valley and we're on a thrilling journey through the fintech landscape.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. In our deep dive with Andres, we take a closer look at the exciting future of digital lending and the potential of AI to shake things up. We uncover how AI can create a transformative wave in document creation and underwriting, potentially making loan offers more accessible for marginal borrowers. We also touch on the importance of having a diverse skill set when building a business and how strategic decision-making can align with long-term visions. Whether you have an interest in fintech, enjoy tales of start-ups, or are intrigued by strategic decisions, this episode is sure to be a treasure trove of insights.

More about Andres:

Andres Klaric is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Fuse, a next-gen loan origination system (LOS) that simplifies lending for financial institutions through self-serve customization, low-code API builders, and personalized agent portals.

Over the last decade, Andres worked on Wall Street, investing in tech and business services. This gave him an acute awareness of the issues slowing down lenders from achieving their highest potential, ultimately leading to starting Fuse.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/klaric

https://www.fusefinance.com