What does AI really mean for SaaS companies and startup founders? And why has venture capital suddenly cooled on SaaS funding?

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, Melissa Widner speaks with Marc Verissimo, Chair of Lighter Capital and former Chief Risk Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, about the economic forces shaping the future of SaaS, startup funding, and venture capital.

Marc explains how he analyzes the economy—from 10-year bond yields and labor participation to productivity growth and political risk—and what founders should actually pay attention to when planning for the next few years.

The discussion explores how AI will change the SaaS ecosystem, why SaaS companies remain foundational because they generate the data AI relies on, and why recent venture capital pullbacks from SaaS may be cyclical rather than permanent.

They also discuss tariffs, geopolitical shifts, and regulatory volatility, and how these factors impact startup growth, funding availability, and long-term economic outlook.

If you're building a SaaS company or navigating today’s startup funding environment, this episode offers practical insights on risk management, capital strategy, and economic trends every founder should understand.

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, we sit down with Sharon Nouh, founder and CEO of ProSpend and Lighter Capital’s first-ever Grit & Growth Award. Sharon shares how she built and scaled a SaaS company without traditional VC funding—and ultimately led it to a successful acquisition by UK-based ISH.

Sharon walks through the realities of bootstrapping: managing cash flow, choosing non-dilutive funding, maintaining control as a founder, and navigating the challenges she faced pitching VCs as a female entrepreneur. She also reflects on the pivotal moments that accelerated ProSpend’s growth, including key partnerships and integrations that unlocked scale.

Beyond her journey to success, she shares practical lessons on preparing for an exit, what founders should expect from the acquisition process, and why playing the long game can pay off in a big way.

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, Lighter Capital CEO Melissa Widner sits down with Sammy Abdullah, Co-Founder and Chair of Blossom Street Ventures, for a candid, contrarian, and refreshingly practical conversation about the state of the market for SaaS founders.

Sammy shares why he believes the pendulum has swung decisively back in favor of founders—despite the narrative that venture capital is still frozen—and why strong companies are getting funded quickly at valuations some investors won’t touch (but others clearly will).

He also pushes back on the “AI will kill SaaS” storyline, arguing that established software companies are best positioned to capitalize on AI, not threatened by it.

From his data-driven investment philosophy to his unusually open attitude toward cold inbound (yes—he actually prefers it), Sammy breaks down:

• Why SaaS fundraising is far more active today than many assume

• How lenders and private credit are reshaping the capital landscape

• Why quantitative metrics beat team pedigree every time

• The SaaS metrics he analyzes first—and why they matter more than pitch polish

• A contrarian view on profitability and why many companies are focusing on the wrong thing

• What he expects for SaaS, AI, interest rates, IPOs, and growth heading into 2026

If you're a B2B SaaS founder navigating fundraising, growth efficiency, or the rise of AI, this episode delivers uncommon insight wrapped in practical, founder-first advice.

Are you a SaaS founder wondering if your startup is truly on the path to success? In this episode of Bootstrapped, The Lighter Side, Melissa Widner, CEO of Lighter Capital, breaks down the nine most important metrics every founder should track to measure growth, efficiency, and long-term viability. From Burn Multiple and the Rule of 40 to AI-Adjusted Gross Margins, Melissa explains what each metric means, why it matters, and how to use them to impress investors and guide your business to sustainable success. Whether you’re raising capital or aiming for a successful exit, tune in for practical advice and actionable insights to help your SaaS company thrive—without giving up ownership or control.

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, host Melissa Widner—CEO of Lighter Capital —dives into the powerful strategy of combining non-dilutive funding with venture capital. Discover how founders are using this hybrid approach to fuel growth, strengthen their numbers, and negotiate better VC terms—without giving up ownership or control. Hear real-world examples, learn the pros and cons of different funding paths, and get practical tips to help your SaaS startup scale faster and smarter. Whether you’re just starting out or gearing up for your next round, this episode will help you unlock new options for your company’s success.

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, host Melissa is joined by Gaurav Bhasin (Managing Director, Allied Advisers) and Colin McNeil (M&A Tech Lead Partner, EY) to discuss one of the most pressing questions for SaaS founders: Is now the right time to sell your company?

Drawing on over 40 years of combined experience, Gaurav and Colin share their perspectives on current SaaS company valuations, the differences between strategic and private equity buyers, and the importance of running a competitive sale process. They offer practical advice on preparing your business for a successful exit, managing inbound interest, and maximizing value through partnerships and preparation. Whether you’re bootstrapped or VC-backed, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders considering an M&A event.

Founders wishing to learn more can download free resources from Allied Advisers on how to prepare their bootstrapped company for an exit.

From call center to CEO: In this episode of Bootstrapped, The Lighter Side, Steve Monterroso, CEO of ShareVault, shares his journey into tech, lessons on founder-led sales, making the right first sales hire, and scaling culture as a “re-founder.” He also dives into how ShareVault helps companies accelerate M&A, fundraising, and due diligence while staying deal-ready.

In this special episode, Melissa Widner sits down with Marc Verissimo⁠⁠, Chairman of Lighter Capital and former Chief Risk Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, to unpack how tariffs, market turbulence, and a shifting economic landscape may reshape the SaaS world. With Marc's decades of banking and finance expertise, he shares practical insights that SaaS founders will want to know for how to navigate a changing investment climate successfully.

This week on Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, we celebrate International Women’s Month with a special guest—Kylie Troy-West, Co-Founder and COO of Factor House. Kylie shares her journey as a female founder, from bootstrapping Factor House to leveraging non-dilutive funding for growth. She also discusses the pivotal decision to pursue VC funding to scale operations rapidly in the US and other markets. Tune in for an insightful conversation on funding strategies, entrepreneurship, and the power of resilience.

This week on Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, we sit down with Scott Sehon, founder of Mod4 Finance—an outsourced accounting and CFO consultancy for B2B tech companies. With over 20 years of experience, Scott offers valuable insights on the role of a CFO in a startup, when founders should consider bringing one on board, and why many opt for a fractional CFO instead of a full-time hire.