The SaaS CFO

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben sits down with Matias Mäenpää, co-founder of Videobot, to discuss his journey in the SaaS world. Matias shares his background starting in sales and eventually becoming a CEO and co-founder of a company that was later acquired. He then delves into the concept behind Videobot, a platform that offers interactive video solutions for websites. Matias shares the use cases for Videobot and sheds light on their go-to-market strategies and seed round funding. He also provides valuable insights for SaaS founders looking to raise capital and shares exciting plans for the future of Videobot. Tune in to learn more about Matias's entrepreneurial journey and the innovative world of Videobot.Show Notes:00:00 Chatbots familiar, social media shifts to videos, YouTube top search, Google investing in videos, future short form video answers.

03:35 In 12 months, 200 clients in 15 countries use video for website navigation, product or service landing pages, and customer journey exploration.

09:12 Early traction shown with enterprise clients, global relevance, real need, learning about ideal customer profile and marketing approach.

12:22 To succeed in fundraising, think of it as building a pipeline and research investors' track record.

16:31 Planning to build a unicorn company with revenue-driven approach.

17:38 Acknowledging need to focus on long-term plans vs. daily tasks; discussion about Videobot.Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/videobot-raises-2-million-in-seed-round

Matias’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasmaenpaa/?originalSubdomain=lu

VideoBot’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/videobot-com/

To know 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

Hello listeners, and welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast. In today's episode, I'm excited to be sitting down with a very special guest—Jason Vego, the dynamic CEO behind Bevz, a company that's revolutionizing how convenience stores sell their products in the digital marketplace.

We'll be diving into Jason's incredible story of steering Bevz through a complete business model pivot during the height of the pandemic, emerging on the other side with a robust SaaS platform and an impressive 600% annual growth rate. This kind of success doesn't come easy, and Jason will be pulling back the curtain on their path to attracting seed investors and scaling their operations with some smart strategies and a dedicated sales team.

If you're interested in learning from the challenges and triumphs of an actual SaaS startup, then you're in for a treat. We'll also touch on how Bevz has dealt with the fundamentals of fundraising, growth metrics, and even managing a distributed team.

So grab your headphones, get comfortable, and let's delve into these topics and more with Jason Vego. Here we go!

Show Notes:00:00 Mistaken solution for inventory management software. Shift to B2B SaaS. Emerging need for vertical software.

05:03 Realizing gaps in dog grooming and finance, sought expertise.

08:37 Industry move too slow, pandemic sped up change, flipped order of operations for online sales and ROI.

10:24 Discussion on transitioning bodegas to more restaurant-like. Focus is on non-perishable items.

16:09 Ops title, CEO pivot in 2021, led inventory management pivot, became CEO, Victor focused on industry partnerships and advertising deals.

16:52 Focused on launching SaaS, successful pivot, learning experience.

21:38 In summer 2022, the company secured key integrations and raised a $605,000 round from early investors.

23:57 Company had ten reps, lost two, now at eight with plans to expand and implement new strategies.

26:47 Recommendations for raising capital: pre-work, dedication, build relationships, meet investors in person.

29:56 Improving platform efficiency for increased GMV and store effectiveness.

34:11 Emphasizing the importance of hiring the right people with unique skill sets and strong personality, and managing internal conflict effectively for success.

36:12 Visit bevz.com or LinkedIn for more about Jason's work at Bevz.

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/bevz-secures-3-1-million-in-funding

Jason Vego’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvego/

Bevz’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bevz/

Bevz’ Website: https://www.bevz.com/

To know 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 riveting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! I'm your host, Ben, and today we have an extraordinary guest with us—Richard White, the founder and CEO of Fathom. With a background as a computer scientist, Richard quickly transitioned into the world of product design and has since become a pioneer in AI-powered software. He honed his skills and experience during his time with Y Combinator and through his previous venture, UserVoice, which laid the groundwork for his current success. Today, Fathom stands as the number one rated AI note taker on G2, making waves with its innovative approach to simplifying meeting notes and enhancing productivity.

In our conversation, Richard opens up about the unique fundraising strategies that powered Fathom's growth, including an impressive $27.3 million raised across multiple tranches and a notable series A. He also shares his insights on the evolving landscape of AI in SaaS products, discussing the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating advanced AI capabilities. Richard's perspective on the importance of user satisfaction, exemplified by Fathom's world-class NPS score, offers valuable lessons for any SaaS professional aiming to build products that not only solve problems but delight users.

Whether you're a startup enthusiast, a seasoned SaaS executive, or someone intrigued by the future of AI in business, today's episode is brimming with insights you won't want to miss. Richard's passion for creating products that truly enhance user experience and his strategic approach to building a successful SaaS company provide a goldmine of knowledge. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Richard White's remarkable journey and the innovative work happening at Fathom. Let's dive into the conversation!

Show Notes:

00:00 Fathom: free AI notetaker, popular, premium options.

05:54 Fortunate entry into Zoom marketplace accelerated success.

08:05 Aggressive Moore's Law application, Amazon-style long-term strategy.

12:47 Unique, coalition-building fundraising strategy with small checks.

14:51 Series A expectations now demand fully developed businesses.

17:57 Founder prefers direct approach over lengthy fundraising.

22:55 Monthly meetings assess MPS scores, engage customers.

23:47 Surfing AI wave: Insightful tools for teams.

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/fathom-raises-17-million-in-series-a

Richard White’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrwhite/

Fathom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fathom-video/

Fathom’s Website: https://fathom.video/

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, where your host Ben explores the intersections of sports, technology, and finance. Today's guest, Jason Syversen, brings his cyber security acumen to the sports industry with his venture, Sports Physio. Utilizing AI to transform how sports stats and highlights are created, Jason shares his hands-on approach to fundraising and the power of genuine investor relationships.

In this episode, we dive into his entrepreneurial strategies for achieving substantial Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), the significance of multi-channel go-to-market tactics, and the dynamic of running a SaaS business without diving into hardware.

Jason opens up about the early revenue stages of Sports Physio, targeting key decision-makers within sports programs, and the challenges of building a team in a remote work environment. For those interested in connecting with Jason or learning more about Sports Physio, stay tuned as we discuss the best ways to engage.

Get ready for a compact session brimming with insights on navigating a SaaS startup's growth, capital-raising adventures, and team management tips. Let's kick off this insightful episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast.Show Notes:00:00 Former hacker turned cybersecurity entrepreneur, retired after successful exit, now investing and developing AI sports technology.

05:56 Investor's lesson: CAC and LTV are key for any business. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) determine the success.

09:07 Staff mostly remote, considering office next year due to growth, cautious on fixed costs, values flexibility and in-person interaction.

11:50 New company with a growing customer base and positive feedback.

15:08 Pooling resources for common benefit is preferable.

19:06 COVID led to remote work realization, cost efficiency and flexibility in hiring.

19:52 Choosing local talent over hiring from abroad to support American workers and maximize return for shareholders.

26:10 Focus on ARR growth, metrics include customer engagement, NPS, and conversion rates. Aim for $2-3 million ARR for next round.

28:06 Discussed PR firm campaign success, raising awareness in crowded market.

30:10 Expresses gratitude, invites to sportsphysio.com or email, requests LinkedIn connection.Links:SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/sportsvisio-raises-3-million-in-seed-roundJason Syversen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsyversen/

Sports Visio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsvisio/

To know 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! 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-fundingRatnesh 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/