The SaaS CFO

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Nir Weingarten, co-founder and CEO of Eikona, to dive into the intersection of AI, lifecycle marketing, and the SaaS startup journey. Nir Weingarten shares his fascinating background in academia, AI research, and software development, and how that technical expertise fueled the birth of Eikona—a company aimed at transforming post-acquisition marketing through generative AI.  You’ll hear about the early days of Eikona, from ideation with his co-founder to securing $5.1 million in seed funding and finding that crucial product-market fit. Nir Weingarten breaks down how reinforcement learning and GenAI can disrupt traditional, manual approaches to email and SMS marketing, creating real ROI for brands with large customer bases.  Whether you’re interested in go-to-market strategies, startup fundraising lessons, or the future of AI adoption in SaaS, this conversation is packed with insights. Tune in to discover how Eikona is helping marketers unlock new value beyond customer acquisition and what’s top of mind for building the next wave of AI-powered growth.  Show Notes:   00:00 Lifecycle Marketing Revolution Explained  05:48 Social Media AI Disrupts Marketing  07:21 Mid-Market B2C Targeting Strategy  10:33 "GenAI Startup Journey"  14:00 "Fuzzy Autonomy in Marketing"  20:05 "The Right Kind of Stubborn"  23:17 "Building a Scalable Sales Funnel"  25:28 "Client Happiness Drives Success"  27:38 "AI Founder Insights & Metrics"  31:24 "Eikona.io: AI Resources & Networking"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eikona-raises-5-million-seed-round  Nir Weingarten’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-zvi-weingarten/  Eikona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eikonaio/  Eikona’s Website: https://www.eikona.io/  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 another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, host Ben Murray sits down with Helen Hastings, founder and CEO of Quanta, an AI-powered accounting service and finance platform designed specifically for software and SaaS companies. In this conversation, Helen Hastings shares her unique journey from software engineer to founder, recounting her transition into the world of finance automation after building internal accounting systems at Affirm. She pulls back the curtain on Quanta’s innovative blend of both product and service, walking us through how her team leverages in-house technology and automation to offer full-service accounting and reporting for early-stage and growth-stage companies.  We delve into what sets Quanta apart—its proprietary general ledger, instant onboarding for startups, and a vision for real-time, intelligent financial insights without the typical growing pains of legacy systems. Ben Murray and Helen Hastings also talk candidly about fundraising lessons, the importance of storytelling in venture capital, and what’s ahead as Quanta gears up to launch a standalone software product. If you’re a founder, a SaaS finance leader, or just fascinated by the future of accounting tech, this episode is packed with firsthand insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:   00:00 Engineers and Accountants: Kindred Spirits  03:28 Automated Accounting & Reporting Solution  08:18 "Growing with Our Customers"  10:28 Business Setup Time Variability  15:13 "The Power of Storytelling"  19:27 Flat-Rate AI Subscription Model  20:40 "Product Usage & NRR Focus"  23:26 "Find Helen at UseQuanta"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quanta-raises-4-7-million-in-seed-round  Helen Hastings’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbhastings/  Quanta’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usequanta/  Quanta’s Website: https://www.usequanta.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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Luca Cartechini, co-founder and CEO of Shop Circle. With deep roots in equity research and venture capital across the European tech landscape, Luca Cartechini shares how his experiences led to the creation of Shop Circle—an innovative, long-term holding company that acquires and grows mission-critical, profitable SaaS businesses outside the traditional VC and PE model.  Listeners will get insider perspectives on the realities of scaling software companies in fragmented European markets, the metrics that matter most when evaluating SaaS acquisitions, and the evolving role of AI in operational excellence. Whether you’re a founder considering your next move or simply passionate about SaaS, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on building, buying, and holding vertical software companies for the long haul.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Challenges Scaling European Companies"  03:34 "ShopCircle: AI-Powered Software Platform"  08:51 "AI in Software Acquisitions"  12:06 AI's Role in Business Strategy  14:09 "Pricing, AI, and Value Strategy"  16:58 "Key Metrics for Business Acquisition"  22:28 "Operator-Focused, Long-Term Investment Approach"  25:13 Founder Missteps in Acquisition Process  29:28 Recurring vs. Usage-Based Revenue Analysis  31:51 "SaaS Revenue Analysis for ROI"  36:39 AI-Driven Efficiency and Expansion  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-raises-60-million-in-series-b  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-extends-series-b-to-100-million  Luca Cartechini’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-cartechini/  Shop Circle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shop-circle/  Shop Circle’s Website: https://shopcircle.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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ben Winter, co-founder and COO at Stuut. Ben Winter brings a dynamic background in management consulting, design agencies, and executive leadership roles within scaling SaaS companies. He shares the story behind founding Stuut—an AI-powered platform designed to transform the order-to-cash process for businesses where working capital and collection efficiency are essential.  Ben Winter reveals how Stuut’s AI agents streamline everything from invoice communication to payment collection, targeting verticals like manufacturing, logistics, and medical devices that rely on fast cash cycles. The discussion delves into Stuut’s journey—from early customer pain points to rapid fundraising, the importance of founder–investor alignment, and their innovative approach to go-to-market and brand differentiation in the crowded finance technology space.  Listen in for actionable insights on SaaS metrics, building AI-driven solutions, and lessons learned in scaling an operationally efficient company—straight from a COO who’s at the forefront of fintech innovation.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Automating AR with AI"  05:19 "Optimizing Cash Flow for Growth"  07:11 Evolving CFO Strategies for Collections  12:34 "Delivering Value to Customers"  16:25 In-Person Impact and Clear Value  19:14 "Non-Traditional Marketing Strategies"  21:16 "Digital Coworkers for Collections Teams"  24:09 "AP & AR Strategy Insights"  29:57 "Scaling Efficiently with AI"  31:28 "Rethinking Team Structures Efficiently"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stuut-technologies-raises-29-5m-series-a  Ben Winter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengwinter/  Stuut’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stuut/  Stuut’s Website: https://www.stuut.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, host Ben Murray sits down with Vadim Rogovskiy, CEO and co-founder of Eve, an AI-powered sales enablement tool designed specifically for founders and small business owners. Vadim Rogovskiy shares his unique journey as a serial entrepreneur—from selling and exiting previous startups to launching Eve after discovering the challenges small businesses face managing leads without traditional CRMs.  Together, Ben Murray and Vadim Rogovskiy dive into Eve’s early days, its customer-first approach, the founding story, and how AI is transforming sales for SMBs. You’ll hear insights on fundraising in today’s fast-moving AI market, lessons learned across multiple ventures, and how grassroots, founder-led marketing is key in cutting through industry noise. Whether you’re scaling your SaaS startup or curious about AI’s impact on modern sales and revenue models, this episode is packed with real-world advice and thoughtful analysis on building and growing a successful tech company.  Let’s jump into the conversation!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Building EVE from Event Insights"  03:09 "Startup CRM Challenges and Demand"  08:59 "Sustainable Growth Over Hype"  10:46 "Prioritize IRL and Founder-Led Growth"  14:27 "Founder Discusses Early Fundraising Journey"  18:10 "Qualitative KPIs and User Growth"  20:53 "Achieving Product Market Fit"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eve-raises-2-million-in-pre-seed-round  Vadim Rogovskiy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadim-rogovskiy/  Eve AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joineveai/  Eve AI’s Website: https://joineve.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 today's episode, Ben Murray sits down with Tony Petrilli, CEO of ViewTrade, to uncover the journey behind building a global fintech platform that’s redefining cross-border financial services. From writing code on early PCs to leading innovation at major institutions like Morgan Stanley and Citibank, Tony Petrilli shares how ViewTrade evolved from a brokerage into a full-stack SaaS provider serving 300 firms worldwide.  You'll hear candid insights about bootstrapping a complex product, the realities of scaling and global expansion, and the reasoning behind a customer-led, composable solution instead of a rigid, product-led approach. Plus, he reveals how ViewTrade balances profitability, growth, and innovation—including the strategic use of AI—and what’s next on the horizon as they target nine-digit growth.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, finance exec, or just curious about how technology is transforming financial services, this episode is packed with valuable lessons, operational metrics, and entrepreneurial wisdom. Let’s dive in!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Turnkey Cross-Border Financial Solutions"  03:57 "Modernizing Investment with Embedded Solutions"  07:07 Revolutionizing Financial Firms' Efficiency  12:15 "Customer-Led Solutions Drive Inbound"  15:15 "Fintech Sustainability and Responsibility"  18:35 "Starting Small, Scaling Strategically"  19:47 "CEO's Profit Margin Focus"  22:33 "Building Leaders and Expanding Globally"  25:38 Global Expansion and Wealth Ventures  Links:  Tony Petrilli’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-tony-petrilli-a2b59825/  ViewTrade’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viewtrade-holding/  ViewTrade’s Website: https://www.viewtrade.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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Nick Holzherr, serial tech founder and the driving force behind GitLaw—an innovative AI-powered legal platform. Nick Holzherr shares his entrepreneurial journey, from exiting previous ventures like Whisk and Air HR, to launching GitLaw earlier this year with $3 million in backing.   The conversation goes deep into the frustrations of traditional legal services, how GitLaw leverages trusted templates and advanced AI orchestration for SMBs, and what sets their product apart from simply using ChatGPT for contracts. You'll hear about go-to-market growth loops, the challenges of scaling in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, and Nick Holzherr's focus on building a product that customers love and trust.   Whether you're interested in SaaS metrics, team dynamics, or the future of AI in legal tech, this episode is packed with insights from a founder who's in the thick of it.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Revolutionizing Legal Services with AI"  04:09 "Contract Review and Market Standards"  09:10 "Building Success with Trusted Team"  11:45 AI-Powered Legal Document Collaboration  15:19 "Startup Uncertainty Amid Rapid Growth"  18:35 "Challenges in Marketing Metrics Transparency"  21:24 Retention and User Feedback Focus  22:51 "Balancing SaaS Margins and Costs"  26:33 "Making AI Trustworthy and Useful"  29:03 Git.law Service Overview  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/gitlaw-raises-3-million-in-funding  Nick Holzherr’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickholzherr/  GitLaw’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gitlawco/  GitLaw’s Website: https://git.law/  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, we're excited to welcome Nicolas Christiaen, CEO and co-founder of Donna, the AI assistant revolutionizing the lives of field sales teams. Ben Murray sits down with Nicolas Christiaen (introduced as Nicolas in the episode) to dive into Donna's journey from inception in late 2023 to its rapid growth and latest $5 million seed round. You'll hear how Donna leverages AI to boost sales rep productivity, seamlessly integrates with CRMs, and is gaining traction across verticals like medical devices, CPG, manufacturing, and insurance.  Nicolas Christiaen reveals their data-driven approach to finding ideal customer segments, lessons learned from fast-paced fundraising, and why partnerships with global consulting firms like Deloitte and PwC are fueling their go-to-market strategy. If you’re keen to learn about what’s driving growth for AI-powered SaaS, how to balance vertical focus, and why healthy SaaS margins are still possible with AI, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in to find out how Donna is scaling up in 2026 and what’s next for this ambitious SaaS startup!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Sales, Efficiency, and Acquisition"  05:05 "Adapting AI for Industry Needs"  06:45 "24/7 AI Assistant Support"  10:14 "Global Launch Leads to Growth"  14:59 "Early Success with Partners"  19:18 "Outbound Strategy with Multi-Channel Approach"  22:08 AI Costs Will Decrease Over Time  23:50 AI Companies Will Streamline Operations  Links:  Nicolas Christiaen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaschristiaen/  Donna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donna-by-dealside  Donna’s Website: https://www.askdonna.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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Nitin Mahajan, founder of Quick Ads. With an impressive background spanning engineering, strategy, and consulting at firms like McKinsey and Accenture, Nitin Mahajan shares the story behind Quick Ads—a platform set to revolutionize advertising for small and medium businesses using AI and proprietary data.   The conversation dives into the challenges these businesses face, the evolution of ad tech, and Quick Ads’ unique approach of combining software and services with an outcome-based pricing model. Nitin Mahajan also opens up about the company’s capital-efficient journey, fundraising, and their mission to create a visual system of record for marketing teams, all while keeping growth and profitability in sharp focus.   Whether you’re a SaaS founder or just fascinated by the future of digital marketing, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:   00:00 Ad Inefficiency and Modern Challenges  06:12 "Choosing Your Business Growth Path"  07:56 "Data-Driven AI, Not Software"  11:10 "Future of Software in AI"  13:33 "Quick Ads Info and Insights"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quickads-raises-1-7-million-seed-round  Nitin Mahajan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitinmahajan2/  QuickAds’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickads-ai/  QuickAds’ Website: https://www.quickads.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 this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, Ben Murray sits down with Michael Babineau, co-founder of Turnstile, to unpack the journey from software engineer to successful second-time founder. Michael Babineau shares how his engineering background and the exit of his first company, Second Measure, to Bloomberg helped shape the vision for Turnstile—a next-gen, AI-native quote-to-cash platform designed to handle the complex challenges of sales-led, recurring revenue businesses.  In this candid conversation, Michael Babineau dives into lessons learned from scaling and selling a company, the difficulties of automating revenue processes for custom deals, and why building a truly integrated, flexible system is crucial for SaaS companies looking to grow. You’ll also hear insights into Turnstile’s go-to-market strategy, their unique pricing approach, and what it’s really like to raise capital as a second-time founder.  Whether you’re a SaaS operator, CFO, or founder plotting your next move, this episode is packed with operational tips, market observations, and behind-the-scenes stories that you won’t want to miss!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Founders Ready to Start Again"  03:05 "Turnstile: Unified Revenue Management Platform"  07:12 Turnstile: CRM-ERP Integration Simplified  11:38 "Finding True Revenue Ground Truth"  13:15 "Venture Growth Through Mid-Market"  17:29 "Scalable Growth for Enterprise Success"  22:09 "M&A Process: All-Consuming Commitment"  24:08 Flexible Dealmaking for Company Growth  27:47 "Shifting to Marketing-Led Growth"  31:35 "Self-Serve Enterprise Software Simplified"  33:00 "Driving Growth for B2B Startups"  36:34 "Turnstile AI Discussion"  Links:   Michael Babineau’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbabineau/  Turnstile’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turnstile-co/  Turnstile’s Website: https://turnstile.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! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Rafael Broshi, co-founder and CEO of Notch, to explore the journey from early startup ideas through pivotal transformations in the world of SaaS and AI. Rafael Broshi shares his unique career path—from years in the Israeli army to product management, hedge funds, and now leading a cutting-edge AI company revolutionizing customer experience in the insurance industry.  You'll hear firsthand how Notch evolved from an insurance-focused MGA into a powerful AI agent platform for customer support, what drove their bold pivot, and why focusing on outcome-based pricing and measurable ROI is making waves for their global clients. Rafael Broshi offers invaluable insights on making hard decisions, raising capital, and what it takes to stand out in an ultra-competitive AI-driven SaaS market. If you're a SaaS founder, operator, or just fascinated by the future of AI in business, this episode is packed with lessons, metrics, and real-world advice you can’t afford to miss.  Show Notes:  00:00 Startup Challenges and Strategic Decisions  03:55 AI Platform for Customer Support Automation  09:05 AI Deployment in Insurance Industry  11:42 "Pivoting, Frugality, and Profitability"  15:17 "AI, Pivots, and New Beginnings"  17:26 "Strategic Focus on Market Verticals"  21:04 Outcome-Based Pricing Strategy  26:47 "Future of AI Pricing"  27:55 Automated Conversations Drive Growth  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/notch-cx-raises-7-million-in-seed-round  Rafael Broshi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-broshi-435a77105/  Notch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/notchapp/  Notch’s Website: https://www.notch.cx/  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 special end-of-year episode, host Ben Murray is joined for the third time by Jim Williams, Managing Director at GLC Advisors, for an in-depth update on the state of the software M&A and capital markets. Ben Murray and Jim Williams dive into what's really happening in SaaS dealmaking, cutting through the social media noise to explore trends in deal volume, valuations, and what truly makes a quality asset in today’s market.  They discuss why 2025 felt “steady but not spectacular,” how founders can position their businesses for attractive outcomes, and the continued importance of the fundamentals—think retention, growth, and profitability. Jim Williams shares what buyers are looking for, why clean financials and clear revenue models are deal breakers, and what to expect if you’re planning to sell in the near future. Plus, they touch on timely topics like the shifting impact of AI, earnouts, deal structures, and preparing for due diligence.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or simply want a no-nonsense perspective on the M&A environment, this episode is packed with actionable insights and predictions for 2026—straight from the front lines of the software dealmaking world. Let’s jump in!  Show Notes:  00:00 "2025: Steady Market Trends"  03:33 "Deferred Deals and Future Growth"  08:38 "Evaluating Business Revenue Models"  10:55 Evaluating Recurring Revenue Quality  15:55 "Contextualizing Seasonal Business Metrics"  19:10 Renewal Rate and Visibility Challenges  20:50 "Clarity in Business Value Proposition"  23:17 "Misaligned Business Metrics Unveiled"  28:33 "Platform vs. Add-On Trends"  32:46 "Fair Earnouts and Deal Terms"  35:55 Equity Rollover and Founder Involvement  39:19 "Deal Delays and Due Diligence"  41:53 "Preparing Financials for SaaS Market"  45:45 Strategic vs. Sponsor Buyer Perspectives  50:25 "Achieving Product-Market Fit Fundamentals"  51:41 "Early-Stage Funding Uncertainty"  55:25 "Open, Accessible, and Supportive"  Links:  Jim Williams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-williams-5754953/  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, host Ben Murray sits down with Aviv Frenkel, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonshot AI, to explore the fascinating journey from Israeli media personality to leading an innovative SaaS startup. Aviv Frenkel shares how his background as a radio DJ and television journalist ultimately inspired him to dive into the world of tech entrepreneurship.  You’ll hear the inside story behind Moonshot AI—a generative AI platform that transforms e-commerce websites into self-optimizing “living organisms,” helping online brands boost their conversion rates without massive teams or endless guesswork. Aviv Frenkel walks us through the company’s rapid trajectory, including their recent $10 million funding round, the importance of building with strong design partners, and what it takes to achieve real product-market fit in a crowded space.  The conversation covers the realities of founder-led sales, why Moonshot AI chose a straightforward subscription model, and the key operational metrics driving their growth. If you’re interested in SaaS metrics, startup fundraising, or the future of AI in e-commerce, this episode is full of actionable insights and candid startup wisdom. Tune in to learn more about Moonshot AI’s global journey and discover opportunities to join their growing team!  Show Notes:  00:00 "AI-Powered Ecommerce Optimization"  03:47 "Muncho: End-to-End Website Optimization"  07:53 "Scaling Fast from MVP to Funding"  12:21 Key Business Metrics Discussion  15:06 Evolving CEO Roles and Priorities  16:49 "Join Our AI-Driven Team"  Links:  Aviv Frenkel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-frenkel/  Moonshot AI’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-shot-ai/  Moonshot AI’s Website: https://moonshot-ai.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 Murray sits down with Michael Salorio, founder and CEO of Solentrex, an ambitious new player in the solar industry bringing an all-in-one, AI-driven ERP platform to residential solar companies. Michael Salorio shares his journey from a finance and wealth management background to building a cutting-edge SaaS product and highlights how Solentrex is streamlining operations for both solar installers and sales teams.  Tune in as we explore the evolving solar market, dive into Solentrex’s product launch roadmap—including a soft launch and a major industry conference debut—and discuss the challenges and lessons learned from fundraising and onboarding early customers. If you're interested in vertical SaaS, ERP innovation, or the future of solar tech, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Philantrix: Team-Driven Success"  04:11 "Streamlining Solar Sales Workflow"  08:30 Delaying Launch for Accuracy  11:37 Solar Growth Through Relationships  13:50 Key Metrics for Growth Focus  17:24 "Streamlining Polar Industry Operations"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/solentrex-secures-strategic-investment  Michael Salorio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-salorio-a55204108/  Solentrex’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solentrex/about/  Solentrex’s Website: https://solentrex.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, host Ben Murray welcomes John Glasgow, founder and CEO of Campfire—a fast-growing, AI-powered ERP solution built for modern finance teams. John Glasgow shares his background, from early days in finance at Adobe to leading partnerships at Invoice2Go and the inspiration behind starting Campfire.  Together, they explore the challenges of building a next-generation ERP, the role of AI in streamlining finance workflows, and Campfire’s rapid rise—including raising $100 million and landing marquee customers in just two years. You’ll hear insights on current trends in CFO tech stacks, best practices for disciplined growth, and why accounting is becoming more strategic than ever.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, CFO, or just curious about the future of finance software, this episode is packed with honest lessons, actionable insights, and a look at what’s next for Campfire and the industry at large.  Show Notes:  00:00 "From Finance to Founding Campfire"  03:22 "Building the Modern ERP"  09:58 "Accelerating Growth in ERP Space"  11:44 "AI Growth and Rapid Funding"  14:37 "New Logo ARR Growth Focus"  17:21 "Building ERP: Focus and Conviction"  23:31 Capacity Planning and Growth Strategy  27:23 Finance Software Revolution Insights  28:54 "Ember AI: Agentic Workflows Evolution"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-raises-3-5-million-in-seed-round  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-secures-35-million-in-series-a  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/campfire-raises-65-million-in-series-b  John Glasgow’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnglasgow/  Campfire’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meetcampfire/  Campfire’s Website: https://campfire.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! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Kelby Zorgdrager, CEO and founder of Tritami, and Dave Murphy, go-to-market expert, to dive into the rapidly evolving world of corporate and technical training. With decades of experience in EdTech and a track record of building and exiting successful businesses, Kelby Zorgdrager shares his journey from leading Develop Intelligence to reimagining instructor-led training with Tritami. Dave Murphy brings his expertise in enterprise sales and AI marketplaces to the conversation, highlighting the industry’s shift towards live, customizable, expert-led experiences.  Together, they discuss how Tritami is leveraging AI and automation to streamline training logistics, empower engineering teams, and connect organizations directly with top-tier instructors—moving away from outdated, fragmented models. The conversation covers everything from their fundraising journey and building the initial MVP, to the importance of user-driven development, transparent pricing, and the growing demand for personalized learning in fast-paced tech environments.  Whether you're a SaaS leader, an engineering manager, or simply curious about the future of EdTech, this episode offers an insightful look behind the scenes at an innovative startup working to redefine corporate training.  Show Notes:  00:00 Disrupting Corporate Training Market  06:03 AI Tools Adoption Challenges  09:38 Rapid Feedback-Driven Product Iteration  13:06 "AI-Driven Training Automation Platform"  17:24 Flexible AI Training Models  21:11 Focus on User-Driven Development  22:16 "Testing Ads for January Launch"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/tami-software-raises-400k-in-pre-seed-round  Kelby Zorgdrager’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelbyzorgdrager/  Dave Murphy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemurf/  TryTami’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/try-tami/  TryTami’s Website: https://www.trytami.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 

In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Duncan Barrigan, founder and CEO of Lunos, to share his story and expertise. Drawing on a decade of fintech experience—including scaling GoCardless into a multi-billion dollar company—Duncan Barrigan discusses his journey from consulting to launching his own venture.  Tune in to hear how Lunos is tackling the longstanding challenges of B2B payments and receivables. Duncan Barrigan explains how AI workers are reshaping the manual processes of accounts receivable, making it easier for businesses to get paid with less effort and greater speed.  Whether you’re a SaaS CFO, finance professional, or startup founder, you’ll gain practical insights into fundraising, go-to-market strategy, and lessons learned from the trenches of building a fintech startup. Don’t miss this energizing conversation packed with actionable advice and real-world experience!  Show Notes:  00:00 GoCardless Growth Journey  06:09 "Swinging Big with Venture Capital"  10:06 "Similar Questions, Divergent Answers"  13:07 "Direct Motion and SaaS Solutions"  15:56 "Two-Model Service Approach"  17:12 "Optimizing Onboarding and Efficiency"  20:20 Instant Value via AR Scanning  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/lunos-ai-secures-5-million-pre-seed-round  Duncan Barrigan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanbarrigan/  Lunos AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lunos-ai/  Lunos AI’s Website: https://www.lunos.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 today’s episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Aleks Đekić, CEO and co-founder of Alguna, a startup that's reimagining revenue management for modern SaaS and fintech businesses. With a background deeply rooted in product, engineering, and commercial roles across leading fintech and accounting startups, Aleks Đekić dives into the pain points that inspired Alguna’s creation and why flexible, end-to-end revenue automation is becoming essential for scaling tech companies.  Together, they explore Alguna’s journey from early frustrations with billing and quoting tools, through their acceptance into Y Combinator, to fundraising and building a team distributed across the US and Europe. Aleks Đekić shares insights on when SaaS companies should upgrade their revenue management stack, how Alguna’s hybrid pricing and billing platform addresses the needs of subscription and usage-based businesses, and why net revenue retention is his north star metric. Plus, they weigh in on industry trends, from the rise of AI and new software categories to the evolving landscape of revenue management and automation.  Tune in for an engaging conversation about the future of SaaS finances, product-led growth, and lessons learned in building and scaling a next-generation SaaS infrastructure company.  Show Notes:  00:00 Founding Frustrations Spark AI Tool  03:34 "Modern CPQ and Billing Solution"  06:55 Scaling Challenges for Post-Series A Startups  11:11 Raising $4M for Infrastructure Startup  16:06 Focused Sales and Purposeful Growth  17:42 Pricing Strategy and Customer Metrics  20:48 AI Pricing and Monetization Challenges  24:57 "Adapting Quickly to Market Needs"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/alguna-raises-4-million-in-seed-round  Alek’s Jekic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksdjekic/  Alguna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/algunahq/  Alguna’s Website: https://alguna.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 

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, Ben Murray welcomes Matt Blumberg, CEO of Markup AI, to discuss his remarkable journey through the tech startup world. With over two decades of leadership experience—including building moviefone.com, scaling Return Path to $100 million in revenue, and leading executive search disruptor Bolster—Matt Blumberg brings a wealth of insight into startup growth, business transformation, and adapting to evolving technology.  In this conversation, Matt Blumberg shares the story behind Markup AI, a company redefining how businesses safeguard their content using AI-powered “content guardian agents.” He discusses the recent rebranding from Acrolinx, the impact of large language models on both product and customers, and their transition into a new API-first, consumption-based business model. Listeners will hear lessons about navigating private equity ownership, fundraising for transformative pivots, and crafting multi-pronged go-to-market strategies—from enterprise sales to developer-driven adoption.  Tune in for an honest look at leadership, innovation, and what’s next for Markup AI in the dynamic world of SaaS and AI content management.  Show Notes:   00:00 "AI Guardian for Perfect Content"  03:51 Acrolinx's AI Evolution  09:33 "Defining AI Content Guardians"  11:18 Private Equity Risks in Mid-Market  13:57 AI Adoption Strategies in Enterprises  18:44 "AI Growth and Rebrand Focus"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/markup-ai-raises-27-5-million-in-funding  Matt Blumberg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blumbergmatt/  Markup AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/markupai/  Markup AI’s Website: https://markup.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 another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! This week, Ben Murray sits down with Albert Gozzi, the co-founder and CEO of Aleph, an innovative AI-driven FP&A platform transforming how finance teams operate. Originally from Argentina, Albert Gozzi shares his journey from Procter & Gamble to Bain, and later as a startup CFO, where he experienced firsthand the frustrations of spreadsheet-heavy workflows in finance. Together, they dive into the founding story of Aleph, its mission to streamline financial data and workflows, and how the company’s AI-powered solutions are empowering finance and FP&A teams to work smarter and faster.  In this episode, you'll get insider insights on Aleph’s rapid fundraising journey—having recently closed a $30 million Series B and totaling $47 million to date. Albert Gozzi candidly discusses what investors look for at each funding round, the nuances of scaling go-to-market efforts, lessons learned from dozens of investor rejections, and why finding product-market fit is just the beginning. Plus, they uncover how Aleph’s unique approach to implementation and pricing is winning fans among CFOs in mid-market and private-equity-backed businesses.  If you want a behind-the-scenes look at building and scaling a modern SaaS finance platform, this is the episode for you. Tune in to hear the latest on Aleph’s roadmap, practical advice for SaaS founders, and where the future of FP&A is headed.  Show Notes:  00:00 "AI-Powered Financial Data Management"  03:59 "Flexible Platform for Mid-Market"  08:18 "Road to Series C"  11:01 "Importance of Market Repeatability"  16:19 "Fast Implementation Drives Success"  20:24 "CAC Payback: A Cautious Metric"  22:14 "Doubling Down on AI Advancements"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/aleph-raises-29-million-in-series-b  Albert Gozzi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertgozzi/  Aleph’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getaleph/  Aleph’s Website: https://www.getaleph.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