In Episode 49, we sit down with Connor Jeffers, Founder of Aptitude 8 and CEO of Hapily, to explore what it takes to build an AI-native company. After scaling one of HubSpot’s leading services partners and launching a venture-backed SaaS business, Connor shares how AI is changing software development, marketing, partnerships, and the way startups compete.

We cover:

* Why AI is making small teams dramatically more productive

* Lessons from building both a services company and a SaaS company

* How HubSpot’s ecosystem created opportunities for founders

* Why product design is becoming more valuable than engineering capacity

* Building software for in-person events and customer engagement

* The future of partnerships in an AI-first world

* Where AI is creating the biggest productivity gains—and where it isn’t

If AI allows companies to operate at two or three times their previous scale, what does that mean for the future of teams, products, and competition?

Whether you’re a founder, operator, partnership leader, or executive navigating AI, this episode offers practical insights into how the next generation of companies will be built.