The SaaS CFO

Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Michael Matias, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Clarity, join us. With a fascinating background in offensive cybersecurity from his time in the IDF and a multidisciplinary approach encompassing AI, behavioral economics, and deepfakes, Michael has a wealth of knowledge to share. 

In this episode, Michael dives into his journey, from working on AI and cybersecurity at Stanford to co-founding Clarity—a deep tech startup focused on identifying and combating deepfakes. He elaborates on Clarity's innovative solutions, ranging from infrastructure-driven APIs to enterprise use cases like video conferencing authentication. 

Michael also opens up about Clarity's growth, their recent $16 million seed round, and the challenges of navigating an emerging market. He discusses the importance of creating real value, focusing on the pain points of deepfake threats, and the evolving landscape of digital media trust. Whether you're a founder, investor, or someone intrigued by the future of cybersecurity and AI, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 

So, get ready to explore the cutting-edge world of deepfake detection and the future of digital trust with Michael Matias on The SaaS CFO Podcast. Tune in now! 

Show Notes:  

00:00 Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity, multidisciplinary background. 

05:38 Israeli AI and cybersecurity startup with US presence. 

10:09 Quickly attracted top talent, investors, and technology. 

12:31 Focus on pain point, team dedication, value. 

15:05 Creating value through media, interactions, analysis, adaptation. 

Links:  

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/clarity-secures-16-million-in-seed-round 

Michael Matias’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasmichael/ 

Clarity’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getclarity-ai/ 

To learn more about Ben check out the links below:

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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 exciting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Trevor Lee, the co-founder and CEO of Myko. Trevor brings a wealth of experience from the finance sector, having worked at Fitch Ratings and later transitioning into entrepreneurship.  

In this episode, Trevor shares the intriguing journey of his company, which began as Genius Sheets and evolved into Myko. He discusses the challenges and insights behind this major pivot, the innovative use of AI for sales and revenue data analysis, and the lessons learned from fundraising with top investors like Khosla Ventures.  

Tune in to hear about Trevor's vision, the current state of Myko, and what lies ahead for this promising startup! 

Show Notes:  

00:00 Formed partnership with Intuit, developed own language model. 

04:07 Data extraction from Quickbooks wasn't a priority. 

07:13 Hybrid tool combining revenue intelligence and BI. 

11:12 Sales focus: Leadership, mid-level managers, operations. 

15:42 Working with design partners to improve capabilities. 

19:28 Struggled with fundraising, then succeeded with persistence. 

20:45 Strong AI focus, early investor in AI. 

24:14 Guiding metric: customer activation for product success. 

27:36 Discussion on recognizing business roadblocks and pivoting. 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/myko-ai-secures-2-7-million-in-seed-round 

Trevor Lee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorlee20/ 

Myko AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myko-ai/ 

Myko AI’s Website: https://www.myko.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, we are thrilled to have David DeWolf, President and CEO of Knownwell, join us. David shares his incredible journey from being an engineer to founding and scaling Three Pillar Global, a digital product development company, to nearly $200 million in revenue with 2,500 employees worldwide.  

After taking a brief hiatus, David launched his latest venture, Knownwell, in September 2023. Knownwell is diving headfirst into the enterprise AI space, focusing on revolutionizing how B2B service companies institutionalize client intelligence to drive growth and retention.  

Tune in as David provides fascinating insights into his entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges and triumphs of starting a new business, the intricacies of customer-driven development, and valuable advice on raising pre-seed capital. Whether you’re a SaaS founder or just curious about the evolving landscape of AI in business, you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Former engineer turned successful digital product entrepreneur. 

03:49 Targeting middle market with potential for reinvention. 

07:23 Market needs customer-driven execution, enterprise AI focus. 

09:47 Professional services struggle with client intelligence, churn. 

12:48 Seizing opportunity, filled coffers for enterprise AI. 

15:51 Raising capital without product, validating market need. 

20:19 Created roadmap, focusing on marketing metrics and pipeline. 

22:12 AI understands, David shares experiences. Appreciative. 

Links:  

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/knownwell-closes-2-million-in-pre-seed-round 

David DeWolf’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddewolf/ 

Knownwell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/knownwell/ 

Knownwell’s Website: https://knownwell.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 today's episode, our host Ben sits down with Shameek Ghosh, the CEO and co-founder of TrusTrace. Shameek takes us through his unique journey from working in IT services to founding his startup in Sweden.  

TrusTrace is a B2B SaaS platform focused on product traceability and supply chain transparency, specifically in the fashion and textile industry. Shameek shares insights into the challenges big fashion brands face in managing their complex supply chains and highlights how TrusTrace's platform digitizes and streamlines this process.  

From fundraising to expansion plans, Shameek provides valuable lessons and future directions for the innovative company. Join us as we dive deep into the intricacies of SaaS, sustainability, and global business with Shameek Ghosh on The SaaS CFO Podcast. 

Show Notes:  

00:00 Large fashion companies face complex supply chain challenges 

04:57 Assessing supplier's sustainability with chain of custody. 

07:29 Traceability is typically under sustainability or CFO. 

10:21 Specializing in traceability for fashion industry. 

15:12 Series A regulations driving, Series B sees tailwind. 

18:10 Be patient, prepare well before fundraising. 

20:56 Expand in Europe and US, deepen existing markets. 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/saas-startup-trustrace-raises-6-million-in-series-a 

Shameek Ghosh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shameek/ 

TrusTrace’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustrace/ 

TrusTrace’s Website: https://trustrace.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

Greetings, SaaS CFO Podcast listeners! In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Tom Hamer, the co-founder and CEO of Marqo, join us. Tom, who started his career as a software engineer at AWS and has been developing apps since he was just 14, shares his journey from his early beginnings to founding Marqo in 2022.  

Marqo offers an end-to-end vector search platform powered by the latest AI models, designed to revolutionize information retrieval. Tom discusses the unique qualities of Marqo , including its open-source and cloud platform offerings, and how it's being used by diverse industries from ecommerce to government.  

He also delves into their fast-paced growth, fundraising journey, and plans to scale further with a focus on customer success. Stick around for insights into their innovative approach and the exciting road ahead! 

Show Notes:  

00:00 Vector databases revolutionize information retrieval with AI. 

04:10 Marko powers e-commerce search and recommendations. 

08:08 Open source community with users and talent. 

11:55 Open source growth led to strong commercial interest. 

13:17 Open source accelerates growth and developer trust. 

16:22 Build connections, engage investors, gradually lead fundraising. 

19:52 Promoting Marqo AI on LinkedIn, appreciated. 

Links: 
 
SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/marqo-closes-12-5-million-in-series-a 

Tom Hamer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hamer-%F0%9F%A6%9B-04a6369b 

Marqo AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marqo-ai/ 

Marqo AI’s Website: https://marqo.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 back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! I'm your host, Ben, and today we have an exciting episode lined up for you. Joining us is Sergio Gonzalez, the co-founder and CEO of Remuner—a groundbreaking SaaS platform aimed at optimizing remuneration for sales and customer success teams. With a rich background in business management consulting and entrepreneurship, Sergio has already founded and successfully exited multiple companies across diverse sectors, including fintech, food delivery, and digital signature services. 

In this episode, Sergio shares his journey from consulting to launching his fifth venture, the vibrant startup scene in Barcelona, and how Remuner helps companies streamline their variable compensation processes through a no-code, cloud-based platform. We'll delve into Remuner's focus on customer-facing teams, their diverse customer base, fundraising insights, and the company's future. Whether you're a burgeoning SaaS founder or interested in innovative compensation solutions, this episode is packed with valuable insights you're going to love. So, let's get started! 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Optimizing remuneration for growth with SaaS platform. 

04:58 We connect with customer systems using out-of-the-box connections. 

08:44 Complicated B2B SaaS business teams' compensation. 

11:56 Started 5 months ago, pleased with traction. 

15:53 September launch showed early traction, changed fundraising strategy. 

18:53 Currently focused on user adoption and engagement. 

20:02 Focus on executing, engaging customers, iterating efficiently. 

Links:  

SaaS Fundraisng Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/remuner-raises-2-million-in-pre-seed-round 

Sergio Gonzalez’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiogonzalezgaspar/ 

Remuner’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/remuner/ 

Remuner’s Website: https://remuner.com/en/ 

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 this special episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're delving into the cutting-edge world of data product management with Nadiem von Heydebrand, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Mindfuel. In today’s conversation, Nadiem shares his fascinating journey from working as a data scientist and consultant to leading a pioneering company that’s transforming how businesses manage and value their data initiatives.  

We'll explore the origins of Mindfuel, sparked by a crucial conversation about the necessity for a product mindset in the data industry. Nadiem will discuss the unique challenges and strategies in building Mindfuel’s groundbreaking SaaS application, which aligns data management with business opportunities and distinctly quantifies efforts in dollar values.  

Join us as we unpack the significance of UI/UX in their product Delight, learn about their recent fundraising success, and get insights into their ambitious expansion into the US market. Whether you're a manager, business professional, or just a tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable insights on navigating the intricate landscape of SaaS and data product management. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Customer meeting triggered need to justify investment. 

04:06 Friend became successful product manager; shared secret. 

06:59 Data product management solves data management problems. 

11:50 Discovered in 2020, invested in research. 

15:23 Research, feedback, rejection, problem discovery, product development. 

16:55 Second reason: tailored services for major enterprises. 

21:02 Bootstrapped company with professional services, raised funding. 

24:59 Understanding and justifying key performance indicators is crucial. 

27:46 Excited for US market entry with support. 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/mindfuel-closes-3-75-million-in-seed-round 

Nadiem von Heydebrand’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiemvh/ 

Mindfuel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindfuelai/ 

Mindfuel’s Website: https://www.mindfuel.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 back to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have an insightful conversation with Niclas Lilja, the founder and CEO of Younium. Niclas takes us on a journey through his extensive background in the SaaS and software industries, from his roots in Sweden to founding Younium, a company dedicated to subscription management and billing specifically for B2B SaaS and software companies. 
 
He delves into the niche needs of complex enterprise deals, the evolution of Younium, and shares expert insights into the challenges of fundraising, metrics that matter, and strategic growth.  
 
Stay tuned as Niclas gives us a peek into the future plans for Younium and his seasoned perspective on steering a SaaS company in today's competitive landscape. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Improved systems; created flexible enterprise solutions quickly. 

03:49 Managing customer relationships, revenue processes, integration. 

08:59 Maturing approach to software, more professional perspective. 

12:11 B2B SaaS helps companies with external requirements. 

15:22 Outbound and inbound marketing, events, customer focus. 

19:12 Timing for fundraising, despite challenges. 

23:14 Key metric: contracted ARR, expenses, cash flow. 

25:09 CFO discusses contracted ARR, cash burn, runway. 

27:38 Main channels for outreach: LinkedIn and website. 

Links: 

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/younium-secures-2-76-million-in-funding 

Niclas Lilja’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niclas-lilja/ 

Younium’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/younium/ 

Younium’s Website: https://www.younium.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 this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s insightful discussion, we are thrilled to have Jakob Šuster, the CEO and co-founder of Elv AI, join us. Jakob shares his fascinating journey into the world of SaaS, which began quite unexpectedly from a background in economics and political science.  

He delves into how Elv AI evolved from a CSR initiative in response to the increase in toxic online comments during the Ukraine crisis of 2022. We’ll explore Elv AI’s unique approach that combines artificial intelligence with human moderation to manage and filter online content, making digital spaces safer and more respectful.  

Jakob also discusses the challenges and triumphs of starting and scaling a tech business in Central Europe, touching on funding, customer acquisition, and future expansions.  

Whether you’re interested in the intricacies of content moderation, SaaS business strategies, or startup growth, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Join us as we uncover how Elv AI is tackling one of the internet's most pressing issues through innovative technology and strategic market approaches. 

Show Notes:  

00:00 Media and public institutions struggled with toxic comments. Solution was to hire people, but not scalable. 

04:09 Flexible content moderation integrates AI and human moderators. 

07:28 Expanding tech company focused on smaller countries. 

10:53 EU Digital Services Act mandates online content moderation. 

14:03 Focus on real problem to build product. 

16:59 Expressing gratitude and requests for future engagement. 

Links:  

Jakub Šuster’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakub-suster/ 

Elv.AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elv-ai/ 

Elv.AI’s Website: https://elv.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, where we explore the journeys of innovative founders in the tech world. Today, we're thrilled to have Alastair Blenkin, CEO and founder of Procure Pro, join us.  
 
Alastair, a former lawyer turned tech entrepreneur, shares his transition from law to launching his own SaaS company. We dive into the challenges and pivots along his journey, especially how his first startup adapted and evolved into Procure Pro during the unpredictable waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Tune in as Alastair discusses the nuances of building a procurement software aimed at revolutionizing the construction industry, their strategic funding rounds, and the road ahead for Procure Pro. 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Former real estate lawyer launched software platform. 

03:18 Managing complex construction projects through specialized software. 

08:22 Construction industry embraces practical solutions, sees opportunities. 

11:20 Focus on mid to enterprise market, not mega. 

15:00 Heavy R&D, enterprise product, angel investment, strategic growth. 

18:35 Prepare market sizing and pricing model early. 

19:23 Prioritize growth rate for billion-dollar business success. 

22:27 Strategic focus on building a successful business. 

Links:  

Alastair Blenkin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairblenkin/ 

Procure Pro’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurepro/ 

Procure Pro’s Website: https://procurepro.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