The SaaS CFO

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, the conversation focused on the fast-changing world of software builds and how AI is transforming the SaaS landscape. The discussion explored how Hermetiq, co-founded by CEO Jake Newfield, is addressing a new bottleneck for engineering teams—not code creation, but the complexities of compiling, testing, and deploying at scale. 

One concept discussed was the need for deeper observability and intelligence around Bazel builds, leading Hermetiq to develop a "Datadog for Bazel" platform that helps developers identify and fix build issues efficiently. With major AI labs already leveraging this technology, the episode highlights the rapidly expanding demand for smarter build infrastructure. 

Several points were raised around early-stage SaaS company building, from fundraising and pricing challenges to the importance of conference outreach and direct engagement. Listen in for insights on navigating growth in a market where innovation moves at lightning speed. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Hermetic automates software build process 

04:15 Solving build issues for companies 

06:20 Starting up with direct outreach 

10:06 Big AI Lab Using Hermetiq 

12:56 Wrapping up with contact info 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/hermetiq-raises-2-2m-seed/ 

Jake Newfield's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakenewfield/ 

Hermetiq's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hermetiq/ 

Hermetiq's Website: https://www.hermetiq.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 The SaaS CFO Podcast. In this episode, the conversation focused on the intersection of AI, finance, and SaaS with Zach Marks, co-founder and CEO of Jia. The discussion explored Zach’s journey from working with microfinance in emerging markets to building AI-powered financial solutions that address the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses. Several points were raised, including Jia’s experience in leveraging AI for underwriting, the evolution of the company’s product offerings, the impact of technology on expanding access to credit, and the nuances of pricing and scaling in the rapidly changing world of fintech. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how AI, SaaS metrics, and a mission-driven approach are transforming financial operations for SMBs across the globe. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Discovering microfinance and joining Tala 

03:30 AI solutions for small businesses 

08:01 Using AI for credit analysis 

11:18 Business model and SME solutions 

15:37 Future of AI in finance 

18:27 Discussing risk strategies in lending 

21:51 AI enhancing financial service delivery 

23:34 Company founding and HQ details 

Links: 

SaaS Fundrasing Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/jia-raises-3m-seed/ 

Zach Marks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmarks/ 

Jia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jiaxyz/ 

Jia's Website: https://jia.xyz/ 

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 The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, Ben sits down with Edward Barrow, founder and CEO of Cloud Capital, for a timely and in-depth conversation about the challenges facing CFOs, controllers, and tech leaders as cloud and AI spending rapidly becomes one of the largest and most complex line items on the P&L. With spend on compute, tokens, and infrastructure rising—sometimes to over 30% of revenue—understanding, forecasting, and optimizing cloud and AI costs is no longer optional for SaaS leadership teams. 

Edward brings hands-on experience in both scaling software companies and overseeing strategic finance for cloud-native businesses, sharing research-backed insights and actionable strategies. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping unit economics, why traditional forecasting methods won't cut it in 2027, and what new controls and collaboration between finance and engineering are essential for sustainable growth. If you're preparing for 2027 budgeting and want to stay ahead of the curve on cloud and AI cost management, this episode is for you.  

Show Notes: 

00:00 Helping CFOs manage cloud spending 

05:43 AI investment in software businesses 

09:10 Balancing growth and profitability 

13:03 AI and Token Cost Management 

14:02 Understanding and managing cloud costs 

18:13 Automated financial forecasting tools 

20:50 Allocating and budgeting production costs 

27:11 Commitment challenges in tech projects 

27:51 Challenges of long-term tech commitments 

33:46 Planning cost optimization steps 

34:55 CFOs adapting to cloud and AI 

Links: 

Edward Barrow’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ebarrow/ 

Cloud Capital’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-cap/home/ 

Cloud Capital’s Website: https://www.cloudcapital.co/ 

To learn more about Ben check out the links below: 

Subscribe to Ben's AI in finance trends 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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben sits down with Giacomo Marchiori, CEO and founder of Talentware, an AI-native skill intelligence platform transforming the HR tech landscape.  

From his unique career path in engineering and automotive manufacturing to founding a rapidly growing SaaS company, Giacomo Marchiori shares the story behind Talentware’s creation, its innovative approach to skill assessment across industries and job functions, and the company’s impressive growth fueled by recent fundraising rounds.  

Join us as we dive into lessons learned in startup fundraising, navigating the crowded AI space, scaling go-to-market efforts, and building a tech company poised for expansion throughout Europe. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Improving Talent Management Processes 

04:03 Mapping and Assessing Skills 

06:56 Initial VC Fundraising Stages 

10:25 Starting VC conversations early 

14:20 Choosing a Technology Investment Strategy 

17:54 Upcoming events and expansion plans 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/talentware-secures-800-000-in-pre-seed-funding/ 

https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/talentware-raises-3-3m-seed/ 

Giacomo Marchiori’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giacomo-marchiori/ 

Talentware’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talentware-ai/ 

Talentware’s Website: https://talentware.ai/en/home/ 

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 this episode, Ben Murray is joined by Alex Lee, CEO and co-founder of Truewind, a company on a mission to build cutting-edge AI tools for accountants. With a background that uniquely spans aerospace engineering, venture capital, and SaaS startups, Alex Lee brings a fresh perspective to the future of finance. 

Listeners will hear how Truewind fits into the accounting close process, empowering accountants with AI-driven workpapers, journal entry automation, and digitized standard operating procedures. Alex Lee explains how the platform streamlines financial operations—without replacing ERPs—and discusses its impact on everything from audit readiness to accelerating the value delivered to customers. 

The conversation also explores the evolving role of accountants in an AI-powered world, lessons learned from raising $17 million in venture funding, and thoughtful go-to-market strategies tailored for CFOs and controllers. Don’t miss this episode if you’re interested in AI, SaaS, fundraising, or the future of accounting technology. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Building First Startup Blue Light 

03:30 Integrating AI with existing ERP 

06:40 Benefits of TruWind API integration 

10:07 Evolving roles in accounting 

14:37 Key fundraising lessons for startups 

16:56 Choosing the Right Investor Fit 

19:57 Understanding Partnership Tiers 

23:09 Tracking Customer Value and Engagement 

26:00 AI infrastructure in finance 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/truewind-raises-13-million-in-series-a/ 

https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/truwind-raises-3-million-in-seed-round/ 

Alex Lee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlee611/ 

Truewind’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truewindai 

Truewind’s Website: trytruewind.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 The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben sits down with Ali Mirzaei, CEO and founder of Dimension Studios. Dimension Studios is leading the charge in AI-powered automation for TikTok Shop operations with their flagship software, Seller OS. Ali Mirzaei shares the unexpected journey from building the top shop on TikTok to founding Dimension, discusses lessons learned in fundraising, and reveals how the company's unique AI agent—trained on real shop data and industry expertise—is leveling the playing field for brands of all sizes. Tune in to hear how Dimension Studios is scaling quickly, keeping customer acquisition costs low, and balancing both service and SaaS models while navigating the fast-evolving landscape of AI and e-commerce. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 AI Operator for TikTok Shop Support 

06:14 Advice for startup founders 

09:57 Analyzing user updates impact 

12:04 Macroeconomics and AI impact 

14:10 Sharing Ali's journey 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/dimension-raises-1-65m-seed/ 

Ali Mirzaei's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-mirzaei-a411791b4/ 

Dimension Studios' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dimensionstudios/ 

Dimenstion Studios' Website: https://www.dimensionstudios.co/ 

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 The SaaS CFO Podcast. In this episode, the conversation focused on one of the hottest topics for finance leaders and founders: managing and tracking AI spend within SaaS businesses. The discussion explored the rise of agentic AI platforms like Stackpack, which help companies take control of rapidly increasing vendor costs, manage contracts, and bring greater visibility into how AI tools are used across teams and departments. 

A key theme that emerged was the shift from traditional software spend management to new challenges presented by AI tools, which are often priced on usage, tokens, or credits. Several points were raised, including the limitations of invoice-level tracking, the difficulty in breaking down spend by employee or department, and the importance of integrating HR and SSO data to unlock more granular attribution. 

The episode also delved into the creation of effective dashboards for CFOs, strategies for governing AI usage and cost allocation, and tips for budgeting in a landscape where model choice, usage intensity, and pricing models are constantly evolving. The discussion wrapped with insights on measuring ROI from AI investments and how to adapt traditional software spend frameworks for the new era of agentic AI. If you’re a finance leader navigating the complexities of AI spend—or just trying to look good in front of your board this budget season—you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Tracking AI Usage Costs 

06:32 Teams plan data management 

08:29 AI dashboard essentials and trends 

13:26 Setting AI policy and costs 

14:24 Discussing AI budgeting tips for CFOs 

20:33 Increasing sales team output with AI 

21:51 Discussing the ROSE metric 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stackpack-raises-6-3-million-in-seed-round/ 

https://techfundingevents.com/companies/stackpack.ai 

Sara Wyman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-wyman/ 

Stackpack's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stackpack-ai 

Stackpack's Website: https://www.stackpack.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 

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray sits down with Yagiz Abik, CEO and co-founder of 5U AI. Yagiz shares his journey from building businesses in Turkey to immersing himself in Munich's startup scene, ultimately founding 5U AI—a company delivering digital employees to automate repetitive tasks for logistics companies.  
 
The conversation explores the challenges of selling AI-driven solutions to a traditionally tech-resistant industry, how 5U AI is carving out its niche with mid-market logistics firms in Europe, and the strategies Yagiz used to raise $3.2 million in pre-seed funding within just two weeks. Yagiz dives into the evolving financial metrics for AI-native SaaS, lessons from rapid growth, and what it's like to build a team and product from scratch.  
 
Whether you're a SaaS founder, investor, or curious about the impact of AI in legacy industries, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid stories from the trenches. 
 
Show Notes: 

00:00 Pivoting to New Opportunities 

04:45 AI adoption in logistics industry 

10:02 Challenges of Raising Pre-Seed Capital 

13:32 Charging per task done 

15:50 Optimizing with open source models 

19:48 Reaching out via LinkedIn 

20:49 Wrapping up and looking ahead 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/5u-ai-raises-3-2m-pre-seed/ 

Yagiz Abik's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abik/ 

5U AI's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5u-ai/ 

5U AI's Website: https://5u.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 The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben sits down with Dori Yona, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Simple Closure. Dori Yona shares lessons from building three companies, taking us on Simple Closure’s journey to becoming the go-to platform for automating and simplifying the process of shutting down businesses. With millions of US companies dissolving each year, Simple Closure is changing the landscape by offering tech-driven solutions that save founders time, money, and the hassle of compliance headaches. From monetizing overlooked assets to fundraising insights and AI-powered operations, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for SaaS founders, CFOs, and startup leaders navigating growth and closure alike. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Business closures and market stability 

05:44 Vision and launch of Asset Hub 

09:30 Creating FOMO in Fundraising 

11:22 Partner-driven revenue strategy 

15:29 Understanding the recurring market 

16:48 Tracking customer impact metrics 

Links: 

Dori Yona's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-yona-b8369877/ 

Simple Closure's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simpleclosure/ 

Simple Closure's Website: https://simpleclosure.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 The SaaS CFO Podcast. In this episode, Ben welcomes Ramsey Al-Ramahi, founder and CEO of RevReply, who shares his journey from scaling a lead gen agency to creating an AI-powered SaaS platform for sales conversion. 

Ben and Ramsey Al-Ramahi discuss the transition from services to software, the unique challenges of building a platform, and how RevReply found traction with B2B sales teams. They also cover the experience of fundraising, joining the Berkeley Skydeck accelerator, and raising a $1 million seed round. 

Ramsey Al-Ramahi opens up about the metrics that guide his business and the ongoing challenges—and opportunities—of leveraging AI in sales. Tune in for actionable insights and an inside look at building a SaaS company in today’s fast-changing landscape. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Refining sales techniques with experience 

05:06 Evaluating Meeting Productivity Issues 

07:11 Target customers: high-volume or complex workflows 

12:30 Scaling up and resource allocation 

14:27 Managing overwhelming inbound demand 

19:07 Focusing on customer retention 

22:00 Weighing AI vs. human costs 

23:31 Offering free pipeline advice 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/revreply-raises-1m-seed/ 

Ramsey Al-Ramahi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramseyalramahi/ 

RevReply's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revreply/ 

RevReply's Website: https://www.revreply.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