The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator Podcast

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, we had the opportunity to host Patricio Utz, founder of Abstract. Abstract provides NLP tools to help lobbyists and companies understand how government policies and legislations impact their business.

Patricio talks about Abstract’s journey from a research project to a VC-backed SaaS with millions in funding. He also shares how they’re using AI to grow their product, Abstract’s early challenges, and his vc rejection story.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Best way to retain employees.

~ Integrating Sales & Marketing Teams.

~ GTM strategies for enterprise sales.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:30) - How Abstract.us started and what’s its mission.
• (01:07) - How Patricio realized the business use case of Abstract.us.
• (03:51) - Using B2C customers to reach B2B customers.
• (05:44) - How is Patricio leveraging AI to expand Abstract’s use case.
• (07:38) - Abstract’s funding history, team growth, and milestones.
• (10:52) - Paricio’s approach to Go-to-Market strategy in enterprise sales.
• (13:41) - Team composition of Abstract.
• (15:32) - Integrating marketing and sales into a growth team.
• (19:10) - Challenges and focus areas for the year ahead.
• (21:31) - Maintaining company culture and employee retention strategies.
• (23:40) - Key lessons learned in 2023 and strategy moving forward.
• (25:45) - Where can you find Patricio and Abstract.
• (26:24) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Patricio Utz:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-utz/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatricioUtz

Mentioned In The Episode

Abstract - HR Platform for distributed workforces.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, we had the opportunity to host Tony Jamous, founder and CEO of a billion dollar HR platform Oyster. Oyster provides tools to help with hiring, onboarding, benefits and salary management for both contractors and full-time remote employees all around the world.

Tony talks about his motivation behind starting Oyster and how he led it to unicorn status. He also shares his thoughts on becoming a better leader, creating a supportive work environment, and his life as a CEO of a billion dollar company.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How to become a better leader.

~ Best way to lead a fast growth billion-dollar startup.

~ How to create a work environment that helps people to be their true selves.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:32) - What Oyster is and what problem does it solve?
• (01:04) - Typical customer profile for Oyster.
• (02:05) - How much is OysterHR worth? Its mission and growth details.
• (04:00) - Flexibility and leadership during hyper growth.
• (05:14) - Advice for first-time founders on maintaining flexibility and leadership.
• (07:34) - Tony's motivation for starting another company after Nexmo exit.
• (09:55) - Motivation behind building a mission-driven company.
• (11:58) - How to be intentional about creating an impactful, high-growth business.
• (13:58) - Criteria for selecting early executives for Oyster.
• (16:08) - Creating psychological safety within the company.
• (19:22) - A typical day for the CEO of a billion-dollar company.
• (21:55) - The role of asynchronous communication and video in managing Oyster.
• (25:52) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Tony Jamous:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teljamou/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamingo

Mentioned In The Episode

Oyster - HR Platform for distributed workforces.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Lindsay Liu, founder of Super. Super is a productivity software for property managers. Lindsay shares the story behind Super, from her pivotal shift towards monetization and customer-driven development to her take on hiring developers as an early-stage startup.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ When to start charging as an early-stage startup.

~ An incredible way to A/B test your messaging on a low budget.

~ How to start hiring developers as a non-technical founder? – Agency vs In-house team.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:28) - How Super got its name and domain
• (01:19) - What Super is and who it's for.
• (02:43) - Origin of the idea for Super.
• (04:44) - Company size and revenue.
• (06:02) - Shift from beta phase to monetization.
• (12:30) - Hiring technical team as a non-technical founder.
• (18:53) - Lindsay's marketing background and its influence on building Super.
• (24:49) - Marketing tactics and specifics for early-stage startups.
• (28:55) - Long-term vision for Super.
• (30:33) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Lindsay Liu:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayliu/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsayliu

Mentioned In The Episode

Super - A Productivity software for property managers.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, we had the pleasure of hosting Bhaskar Deol, co-founder of eDRV, a company providing enterprise SaaS software to power electric vehicle charging operations. From the initial stages of founding eDRV to navigating the complexities of international expansion and fundraising, Bhaskar shares invaluable insights into running a successful startup in the rapidly evolving EV charging sector.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Why product-market fit is important.

~ Strategies for customer acquisition in a niche market.

~ Tips for first-time founders on the challenges of enterprise sales.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:30) - What eDRV does and its target customers.
• (01:25) - Decision to move the company to the US.
• (02:53) - Differences in doing business in the US vs. Europe.
• (04:37) - Fundraising & Customer acquisition strategy in the US and Europe.
• (06:44) - Bhaskar's journey to becoming a founder.
• (08:34) - Motivation and transition to entrepreneurship.
• (11:54) - Current state of eDRV: Revenue and team size.
• (12:38) - Team composition and roles.
• (14:04) - Approach to Go-To-Market (GTM strategy).
• (17:27) - First step in enterprise sales and efficiency in customer acquisition.
• (21:15) - Learning from first startup to now.
• (23:20) - How to find and contact Bhaskar and eDRV online.
• (23:55) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Bhaskar Deol:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhaskardeol/

Mentioned In The Episode

eDRV - API Platform for developers of EV charging apps.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Shay David, founder of RetrainAI, shares his journey of starting and growing three VC backed startups. He also discusses how his latest venture, RetrainAI, makes it easy for companies to hire and retain the right people.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How to lead a vc-backed startup?

~ When is the best time to hire new employees?

~ Most important thing to know as a first-time vc-backed founder

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:32) - What is RetrainAI and who is it for?
• (01:28) - Shay's journey as a venture-backed entrepreneur.
• (03:53) - How did Shay start RetrainAI?
• (10:43) - User types & user journeys for RetrainAI.
• (16:27) - Shay's leadership advice for first-time vc-backed founders.
• (19:40) - Is pre-hiring a good strategy?
• (22:22) - How to get more work done without burning out employees?
• (26:26) - How to know if you have a product-market fit?
• (28:42) - How to keep your team aligned on customer value proposition?
• (30:47) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Shay David:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaydavid/

Mentioned In The Episode

RetrainAI - Skills-based AI to hire and retain the right people.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Paul Dudley, founder of StreamKap, shares his journey of running a data streaming platform with extensive experience in sales. He also discusses the problems he faced, his best tips on hiring a sales team, and the sales process at StreamKap.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How to choose the verticals to target?

~ When is the right time to hire a sales team?

~ How to lead a technical startup as a non-technical founder?

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:30) - What is StreamKap?
• (02:38) - Why did Paul become an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced?
• (06:47) - How big is StreamKap?
• (07:21) - What does StreamKap customer base look like?
• (08:57) - Problems StreamKap is facing while scaling.
• (09:50) - How big can StreamKap be according to Paul?
• (10:54) - How did Paul make the decision to target specific verticals?
• (12:55) - How StreamKap handles the sales process?
• (15:34) - Team structure of StreamKap.
• (16:54) - When is the right time to hire a sales team?
• (19:31) - 3 Quick Tips on hiring a sales team.
• (21:07) - What's one thing StreamKap or Paul is struggling with?
• (23:37) - What Paul learned in the last few years that helped him as a founder?
• (27:00) - Where can you find Paul & StreamKap?
• (27:36) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Paul Dudley:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldudley/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulFDudley

Mentioned In The Episode

StreamKap - Real-time data syncing platform

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Noah Wittman, founder of Priviom, talks about the challenges of managing SaaS spend and renewals at scale. He shares how Priviom's platform helps companies gain visibility into their SaaS usage, identify underutilized tools, and optimize their spending.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How Priviom helps companies make data-driven decisions about their SaaS investments.

~ The challenges of managing SaaS sprawl and the importance of visibility into usage.

~ Noah's journey from enterprise sales to SaaS founder.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:29) - Problem Priviom Solves for its Customers
• (02:29) - Target Customer Base of Priviom
• (04:03) - Clarifying the Mid-Market Range for Priviom's Customer Base.
• (06:39) - Origin of the Problem Priviom Aims to Solve and Noah's Transition from Sales to Founder
• (13:20) - Early Stages of Priviom, Funding, and Challenges and Decisions Faced
• (18:13) - Navigating the Lack of Technical Co-founder
• (20:28) - Advice for Non-Technical Founders in Search of a Technical Lead
• (28:43) - The Challenges and Learnings of Hiring for Critical Roles
• (31:20) - Lessons Learned and What Noah Would Do Differently If Given the Chance to Start Anew
• (35:42) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Noah Wittman:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahdwittman/

Mentioned In The Episode

Priviom - Renewal Intelligence for SaaS

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of the Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Matt Ford tells us about his journey from becoming a programmer in college to starting his own music festival as well as launching his live music management software, Prism. He also goes over how Prism survived the pandemic and why fundraising wasn’t as tough for Prism as for other tech startups.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How to find a market that’s right for you.

~ Benefits of having experience in your target market.

~ How to get through a rough patch in your founder journey.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:10) - What problem does Prism solve?
• (01:11) - What pushed Matt to start Prism?
• (04:06) - Fundraising journey of Prism.fm.
• (09:47) - Team structure of Prism.fm.
• (10:36) - What's the team split Matt has in mind for Prism?
• (12:49) - Does Prism rely more on PLG?
• (14:17) - How does working in your target industry benefit you as a tech founder?
• (16:39) - A rough patch for Matt Ford as a founder.
• (19:54) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Matt:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3/

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MattFordPrism

Mentioned In The Episode

Prism - Live Music Management Software

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups.

Nikolas Chapoupis

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Michael Haughton talks about Kernls, a company specializing in facilitating donor engagement for medical research organizations. He also talks about his deeply personal journey from founding the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation of Canada to creating Kernls, along with the company's strategic shift to a SaaS model for more efficient scalability.

Tune in to learn more about:

Tune in to learn more about:

~ The challenges of operating in the nonprofit sector and how Kernls addresses these issues

~ The pivotal role Kernls plays in connecting donors with impactful outcomes in the medical research sector

~ How Kernls is making a substantial difference in improving donor retention and engagement

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:29) - What problem does Kernls solve?
• (06:03) - Value proposition of Kernls.
• (07:19) - What is it like as SaaS business in Non-Profit market?
• (13:31) - When did Kernls became a SaaS?
• (14:26) - How does Michael approach sales for Kernls?
• (18:26) - How big is the market for Kernls?
• (19:57) - Future plans for Kernls.
• (24:07) - Where can people find Kernls online?
• (24:58) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Michael Haughton

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-haughton-6ba395156

Mentioned In The Episode

Kernls - A Giving Platform that Helps Fund Medical Science

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Abhishek Raja, founder of Togai, talks about how they provide a flexible billing platform that allows companies to implement any pricing model effortlessly. He also shares their journey, starting from a payment API company to identifying the need for sophisticated pricing, leading to the creation of Togai.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ The impact of Togai's flexible billing solutions on SaaS companies.

~ Abhishek's perspective on the importance of transparency in SaaS pricing.

~ Togai's role in shaping the future of SaaS monetization strategies.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:35) - Purpose and Evolution of Togai from Internal Tool
• (03:40) - Comparison with Other Payment Platforms
• (06:11) - Abhishek's Transition and Decision-Making
• (12:35) - Origins of Funding
• (14:11) - The Decision to Move Operations to the US
• (17:56) - Setting Up Teams in the US
• (19:53) - Learning from Past Startup Experience
• (25:22) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Abhishek Raja

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/argo1/

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/abhiraja88

Mentioned In The Episode

Togai - A simple billing engine for complex pricing

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of the Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Francesco Teodori talks about building and growing a “Phygital” experience app for events and venues, Popup. Popup allows users to search for events, meet new people, and engage in real-time interactions at their favorite venues. It also offers features like messaging, digital menus, and social functionalities for venue and restaurant owners.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Using UGC ads for SaaS marketing.

~ Behind the scenes of working part-time on a startup.

~ Why you should never give up on a marketing channel.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:12) - What problem does Popup solve?
• (02:21) - How Francesco found the problem?
• (04:27) - Funding status of Popup.
• (05:52) - How Francesco and his co-founder raised the initial investment for Popup?
• (07:48) - What working part-time on a startup for 3 years looks like?
• (10:07) - How does Popup get clients?
• (13:30) - Does UGC Social Media ads work for SaaS?
• (19:57) - What would Francesco do differently if he could start over?
• (23:37) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Francesco:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-t-85348855/

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FrancescoTeodo6

Mentioned In The Episode

Popup.lol - An app for restaurant owners to maximize user experience.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of the Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Colin Zima talks about building a one-for-all BI platform, Omni. Omni allows data teams to freely build and share a reliable model that is user-friendly for all skill levels to access, explore, and share data​​ and has the speed and freedom of SQL.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Using data to grow a company.

~ What BI looks like in daily usage.

~ Importance of industry expertise in building a startup.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:10) - What problem does Omni solve?
• (02:09) - Who's the typical buyer for Omni right now?
• (03:29) - Difference between building the first startup compared to the second startup.
• (08:38) - How Omni got a dream VC start?
• (10:45) - Omni's team and IPO talks.
• (11:48) - How does Colin handle the pressure of building a VC-backed company?
• (14:39) - Is Omni using Omni to grow?
• (19:19) - Data mistakes people make.
• (21:13) - How to get new employees up to date with the team's experience and context?
• (24:56) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Colin Zima:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinzima/

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/drinkzima

Mentioned In The Episode

Omni.co - A one-for-all data analytics platform.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of the Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Juan Camilo Meisel walks us through his journey from being a marketer to founding an 8-figure logistics SaaS solution, Grip. He talks about how he grew Grip’s logistics engine and helped reduce failed deliveries and increase customer lifetime value for many eCommerce companies.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How to get into the logistics industry?

~ The insane power of word of mouth marketing.

~ What Grip did to become one of the best logistics SaaS solutions?

Timestamps

• (00:00) -
• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:10) - What problem does Grip solve?
• (01:30) - How did he go from marketing to logistics at ButcherBox?
• (04:03) - Idea behind Grip.
• (11:10) - The starter story of Grip.
• (13:23) - Is Juan looking for more venture capital?
• (14:08) - Team behind the Grip.
• (15:14) - How do they acquire customers?
• (19:52) - The 5-year plan for Grip.
• (21:20) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Juan Camilo Meisel:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-camilo-meisel/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juancmeisel

Mentioned In The Episode

Grip.com - Smart logistics solution for eCommerce.

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Carlos Kemeny, founder of DrumCV, talks about how they enable support leaders to identify, prioritize, and solve customers’ pains. He dives into the journey of reducing tickets by 30% and improving customer churn by providing product teams with better, descriptive data.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How DrumCV effectively connects product and support teams, addressing the challenge of customer issue understanding.

~ Carlos's insights into the challenges of the B2B environment and the strategic decision-making process.

~ The current focus on refining DrumCV, exploring new markets, and potential applications in e-commerce.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:29) - DrumCV's Solution for Product and Support Teams
• (01:05) - Carlos's Background and the Inception of DrumCV
• (03:30) - DrumCV's Current Beta Stage and Challenges
• (04:58) - Pivoting and Shifting Focus
• (08:02) - Navigating the Company's Future
• (10:50) - Emotional Challenges as a Founder
• (12:58) - Carlos's Future Focus and Product Market Fit
• (16:07) - Current Strategic Approach and Tech Acquisitions
• (19:29) - Planning for the Future in the Current Situation
• (23:06) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

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Follow Carlos Kemeny

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemenyc/

Mentioned In The Episode

DrumCV - AI-Powered Support Dispositions

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Matthew Godley the founder of Spendly talks how they build an online marketplace for businesses aiming to find savings across various services, such as payroll, payment processing, benefits, lending, and commercial insurance. He dives into the unique approach Spendly takes, utilizing data extraction and natural language processing.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How Spendly leverages data extraction and natural language processing for businesses to sign up completely free. 

~ Spendly's unique ability to scan invoices or agreements, verify existing rates, and calculate savings for businesses. 

~ Matthew Godley's insights into navigating the fundraising landscape, considering the current state of venture capital.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:28) - Overview of Spendly
• (00:55) - How Spendly Works
• (01:59) - Spendly's Monetization Model
• (02:46) - Comparison with Lead Generation
• (03:57) - Founding Days and Inspiration
• (05:29) - Current Client Base and Growth Strategy
• (06:24) - Go-to-Market Strategy
• (07:36) - Building Strategic Partnerships
• (09:50) - Outlook for 2024 and Fundraising
• (11:18) - Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape
• (12:59) - Lessons from Previous Startup Experience
• (14:37) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Matthew Godley

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-godley

Mentioned In The Episode

Spendly - SaaS Platform Helping Businesses Save on Financial Services

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

Nikolas Chapoupis

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Randy Wootton talks about Maxio, a B2B SaaS financial operations platform that helps SaaS businesses automate all financial operations—from rating and invoicing to reporting and analysis—all in a single, unified system. He highlights the evolving role of founder CEOs and the need to transition from a familial work culture to a more structured team dynamic to handle increasing complexities.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Navigating the complexities of B2B SaaS operations and how companies like Maxio streamline these processes

~ Identifying critical inflection points, particularly when your company reaches $10 million in revenue

~ The value of networking and seeking guidance from peer CEOs and mentors

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:29) - Starting as a Professional CEO
• (02:13) - The Biggest Learning from Being a CEO
• (05:35) - When to Consider Hiring a CEO
• (09:09) - Finding the Right Place of Passion and Excellence
• (14:16) - Joining Maxio After the Merger
• (17:06) - Recognizing the Need for Change in Career
• (20:43) - Important Skills for Founder CEOs in Smaller Companies
• (24:00) - Inflection Points in Company Growth
• (27:10) - Maxio's Vision
• (27:48) - Connect with Randy
• (28:26) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Randy Wootton

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-wootton-%F0%9F%9A%80-910

Mentioned In The Episode

Maxio - Financial Operations Platform

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Antti Känsälä talks about Yeply, a tech-enabled vehicle maintenance and service platform that is committed to making urban cycling more accessible and sustainable. He also talks about Yeply's innovative blend of technology and traditional bike maintenance, scaling a business in an unconventional sector, and the profound impact of technology on enhancing the customer experience.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ The pivotal role of Yeply's tech platform in streamlining bike maintenance and enhancing customer satisfaction

~ The psychological aspects of being a founder and dealing with the challenges that the startup world throws at you

~ The potential future opportunities arising from Yeply's data collection and how it may lead to a new branch of business

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:31) - Company Description and Founding Story
• (02:33) - Starting Operations and Early Customers
• (04:40) - Building Company Culture
• (08:15) - Hiring and Employee Culture
• (10:43) - Balancing Remote Work and Face-to-Face Interaction
• (11:32) - International Expansion and Leadership
• (13:18) - Tech and Data Utilization
• (19:54) - In-Housing Tech Team
• (21:31) - Challenges during COVID-19 and Founder Support
• (24:11) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Antti Känsälä

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anttikansala

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/anttikansala

Mentioned In The Episode

Yeply - Vehicle Maintenance and Service Platform

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Surya Oruganti talks about Argonaut, a cloud deployment and management platform that automates app and infra deployments across environments on AWS or GCP accounts. He shares the complex challenges faced by infrastructure teams, the origin story of Argonaut, and strategies for engaging a highly technical audience.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ The critical role of video content in technical education

~ Surya Oruganti's journey as a solo founder

~ Approaches to community engagement and content creation

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:27) - Problem Argonaut Solves
• (02:26) - Discovering the Problem
• (04:33) - Team Size, Number of Customers, and Revenue
• (05:44) - Sales and Marketing Strategy
• (08:14) - SEO and Community Engagement
• (13:05) - Use of Video Content in Argonaut's Strategy
• (16:29) - Challenges of Being a Founder
• (19:29) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Surya Oruganti

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suryaoruganti

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/suryaoruganti

Mentioned In The Episode

Argonaut -  Automated Cloud Deployment and Management Platform

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Justin Henshaw talks about Gage, a universal employee recognition system, designed to measure and reward workforce performance. He shares his extensive experience as the owner of several businesses and restaurants, highlighting the significant shifts he's observed in the workforce over the past decade. He goes on to explain how Gage's approach involves creating a revolutionary database where employees can own and carry their work data with them, thus increasing their job tenure and benefiting both workers and businesses.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ Justin Henshaw's transition from being a Marine to an entrepreneur

~ The importance of taking action and moving fast in business

~ Gage's early success and impact on the workforce

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:30) - Company Mission
• (01:46) - Product Execution Strategy
• (03:31) - Target Buyer and Revenue Source
• (04:21) - Motivation for Companies to Use the Product
• (06:59) - Current Size and Growth of the Company
• (08:15) - Pricing Structure of the Product
• (08:36) - Funding and Initial Investment
• (09:30) - Decision to Seek Venture Funding
• (10:59) - Handling the Technical Aspect of the Business
• (12:59) - Importance of Choosing the Right Agency
• (17:05) - Challenges and Decisions Faced in the Entrepreneurial Journey
• (19:40) - Lessons from the Marine Corps Applied to Business
• (21:26) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Justin Henshaw

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhenshaw

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealhenshaw

Mentioned In The Episode

GAGE - Employment Recognition Platform

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis

In this episode of The Venture-Scale SaaS Operator, Yoni Rubin talks about MRGN.ai, an AI-powered business management platform helping small businesses make better decisions using big data and machine learning. He shares the unique story behind MRGN.ai's name, its commitment to helping small businesses understand and manage their finances, and how MRGN.ai is breaking down financial barriers.

Tune in to learn more about:

~ How MRGN.ai tailors its platform to cater to various business models and revenue structures

~ The critical importance of balancing financial discipline and investment in early-stage startups

~ Yoni's insights into managing a team of eight in an early-stage startup and the division of roles within the company

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:31) - MRGN.ai Domain Name
• (01:56) - Problem MRGN.AI's Solves
• (02:43) - Targeting Small Businesses
• (04:45) - Target Market and Platform Tailoring
• (09:28) - Team Size and Structure
• (11:22) - Yoni's Career Background
• (13:11) - Biggest Learnings as a Former COO
• (15:09) - Fundraising and Environment
• (19:01) - A War Story
• (20:59) - Importance of Financial Discipline
• (24:00) - Big Vision for MRGN.AI
• (26:19) - Outro

The SaaS Operator Newsletter

Get actionable insights from SaaS veterans to grow your MRR.

Join hundreds of PLG founders at: EarlyNode.com/Subscribe

Follow Yoni Rubin

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonirubin

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/yrubinucf

Mentioned In The Episode

MRGN.ai - Business Intelligence Platform For Small Firms 

ReactSquad.io - React.js Agency for Startups

EarlyNode

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earlynode

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EarlyNode

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlynode_crew/

On Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/earlynode

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@earlynode

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlynode

Nikolas Chapoupis

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikolas_chap

On LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-chapoupis