In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ibrahim Ashqar, the co-founder and CEO of Lumi AI. Ibrahim shares his impressive background in data science and AI, including his time at Deloitte and the supply chain tech unicorn Stord, before diving into why he launched Lumi. The conversation highlights the challenges companies face with traditional business intelligence tools, and how Lumi is revolutionizing data access for brands, retailers, and supply chain operators through agentic workflows and conversational analytics.

Ben and Ibrahim discuss Lumi's focused go-to-market strategy, their partnerships with industry giants like Deloitte and BCG, and how they’re working with mid-market to Fortune 10 enterprises. Listeners will also hear about Lumi’s journey through fundraising, lessons learned in scaling an early-stage SaaS company, and the key product metrics that guide their growth.

Whether you’re interested in AI, enterprise analytics, or the inner workings of a fast-growing SaaS startup, this episode is packed with actionable insights and firsthand advice from the front lines of innovation.

Show Notes:

00:00 Supply Chain Analytics Software Focus

04:54 Strategic Supply Chain Planning Overview

09:13 Educational Analytics Approach Success

11:28 Consultant Challenges: Navigating Clearances

15:36 Complementary Tool, Not Replacement

18:36 Unexpected Visibility During Stealth Mode

21:34 Effective Investor Pitch Strategy

24:34 "Optimizing Intuitive AI Workflows"

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/lumi-ai-raises-3-7-million-in-seed-round

Ibrahim Ashqar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimashqar/

Lumi AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumi-ai

Lumi Ai’s Website: https://www.lumi-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

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Gus Neate, the co-founder and CEO of Wilson AI. Gus shares his unique journey from engineering and law to entrepreneurship, explaining how his experience in top law firms and in-house legal teams inspired the creation of Wilson AI—the world’s first AI-powered paralegal. Together, they delve into how Wilson AI is helping in-house legal teams automate repetitive contract workflows, extract key terms from documents, and enable seamless legal Q&A within organizations.

Gus discusses the ideal customer profile, ROI for clients, and the tiered pricing model that powers their early traction. He also opens about their recent $1.7 million pre-seed raise, lessons learned through fundraising, and the importance of product adoption and user retention in these early stages. From data security concerns to global expansion ambitions, Gus offers insights for founders, legal ops leaders, and SaaS CFOs alike who are interested in leveraging AI to streamline their legal operations. Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes look at scaling an early-stage SaaS company right at the intersection of law and technology.

Show Notes:

00:00 AI Paralegal by Wilson for Contracts

06:22 Tiered Pricing Structure Insights

09:38 Targeted Content for Legal Teams

11:43 Accelerator-Driven Entrepreneurial Growth

15:01 Streamlining Customer Experience Setup

17:02 AI-Enhanced Document Analysis Tools

19:41 "Explore GetWilson AI"

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/wilsonai-raises-1-7-million-in-funding

Gus Neate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-neate/

Wilson AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wilsonai-company/

Wilson AI’s Website: https://www.getwilson.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 thrilling episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast on YouTube, where we unravel the latest innovations at the crossroads of finance and technology! This time, we've got Erez Agmon, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Vayu, sharing his remarkable journey from venture capitalist to tech entrepreneur. With a decade in the startup ecosystem, Erez now turns his focus to revolutionizing the financial landscape through AI-driven solutions.

At Vayu, they're not just keeping pace with the change—they're leading it. Discover how Vayu acts as the "winds of change" for finance, as Erez puts it, automating the most complex billing and contract-to-cash processes with unprecedented ease. From AI-enhanced metering tools to real-time revenue insights, Vayu is empowering B2B companies to innovate pricing models and streamline operations without the engineering headache.

Join us as we delve into Erez's unique vision and the strategies propelling Vayu to the forefront of the fintech revolution. Whether you're a CFO looking for cutting-edge tools, a tech enthusiast, or someone fascinated by the mechanics of business finance, this episode has something for you. Stay tuned and get ready to be inspired by the future of financial technology!

Show Notes:

00:00 Vayu: Revolutionizing B2B Billing Solutions

03:39 Real-Time Contract Management Solution

06:27 B2B Pricing and Implementation Solutions

10:36 Flexible Pricing Solution Achieved

14:50 Strategic Growth Through Lessons Learned

18:52 Retention Strategies in CFO Space

20:40 Optimizing B2B Pricing with AI

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/vayu-raises-7-million-in-seed-round

Erez Agmon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erez-agmon-66017012a/

Vayu’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/withvayu/

Vayu’s Website: https://www.withvayu.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 YouTube channel! In this episode, we're thrilled to present a conversation with Apurv Bansal, the co-founder and CEO of Zenskar. Apurv journeys us through his intriguing career path, starting from selling his first company to gaining insightful experiences at Google, which ultimately led to the inception of Zenskar. His story is a testament to how industry experience and recognizing universal pain points can catalyze groundbreaking business ideas.

Zenskar is revolutionizing the revenue automation landscape with its innovative order-to-cash platform. Apurv delves into the unique offerings of Zenskar, which handles everything from billing and collection to revenue recognition and SaaS metrics reporting. With the platform's ability to simplify complex pricing models and usage tracking, Zenskar is setting itself apart from legacy vendors, offering unparalleled value to businesses with intricate billing requirements. Apurv shares how Zenskar's solutions cater to both burgeoning startups and established companies looking to streamline their revenue operations.

Join us as we unpack Zenskar's journey of innovation and growth. We'll explore how this platform addresses the challenges of subscription management and the critical role of having an efficiently automated system in place. Apurv's insights provide actionable strategies for scaling a SaaS business, understanding the competitive landscape, and honing a successful go-to-market approach. Whether you're a SaaS enthusiast or a finance professional, this episode is sure to broaden your perspective on contemporary revenue management solutions.

Show Notes:

00:00 Second Startup Driven by Billing Gap

03:38 Pricing Complexity in B2B SaaS Models

09:51 Pricing Depends on Module and Complexity

10:53 Seamless Data Warehouse Integration

15:22 Believe and Communicate Your Advantage

18:57 Scaling and Evaluating Market Channels

20:50 Automation's Benefits Beyond Cost Savings

Links:

Apruv Bansal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bansalapurv/

Zenskar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenskar/

Zenskar’s Website: https://www.zenskar.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, we are excited to have Ali Rizvi, the innovative CEO and founder of TrueRev, as our guest. Ali's journey from being a CPA with a solid background in finance and audit to becoming the driving force behind TrueRev, offers a wealth of insights. He draws on his extensive experience as a CFO for early-stage tech firms to highlight the persistent financial challenges SaaS companies face, ultimately leading him to develop TrueRev as a solution for subscription and revenue management issues.

TrueRev is dedicated to streamlining operations for small to medium-sized businesses dealing with recurring revenue complexities. Ali elaborates on how the platform addresses these challenges by focusing on revenue recognition, subscription management, and financial reporting, providing SaaS companies with a cohesive solution. With a mission to solve the financial chaos that arises in tech-driven companies, TrueRev aims to ensure accurate and seamless financial operations, especially for businesses lacking the resources to address these problems with existing systems or headcount.

In addition to sharing the vision behind TrueRev, Ali provides a glimpse into the strategic roadmap for growth and the essential role of clean data in financial operations. He offers valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of subscription management and where the industry is headed. Whether you're an entrepreneur in the SaaS space or a finance professional seeking to optimize financial processes, Ali’s discussion is full of actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies. Tune in to explore how TrueRev is changing the game in SaaS financial management and what it means for your business.

Show Notes:

00:00 Revenue Recognition Challenges

05:34 Target Market: Growing Companies' Recurring Revenue

09:09 Side Project to Startup Launch

11:28 Inbound Strategy Focused on Conversion

13:32 Bootstrapping vs. VC Funding Pressure

18:49 Holistic Subscription Management Challenges

20:34 Complexity of Contract Management

23:08 "Explore TrueRev with Ali"

Links:

Ali Rizvi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizvial/

TrueRev’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/true-rev/

TrueRev’s Website: https://truerev.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 another thrilling episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Juha Riipi, the brilliant CEO of Quanscient. With a career that spans software development to consulting, Juha has now ventured into the realm of cutting-edge multiphysics simulations, and he’s here to share how Quanscient is changing the game. 🚀 From transforming digital designs into prototypes efficiently to offering groundbreaking solutions for industries like semiconductors and aerospace, Quanscient is truly redefining the product design workflow.

🌟 In this conversation, Juha takes us through his incredible journey, highlighting how his multifaceted background in engineering and business laid the foundation for Quanscient's success. We dive deep into the exciting world of niche markets such as nuclear fusion energy and medical ultrasound devices, where Quanscient’s innovative technology is making waves. Juha’s insights into the strategic growth of his SaaS model, his approach to deep tech investment, and his ambitions for enterprise-focused solutions make for a captivating discussion that is sure to inspire and inform. 💡

🔍 So, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of pioneering quantum computing applications and the future of industrial simulations on a global scale. This episode is packed with insights and inspiration, and it's one you won't want to miss. Hit play and join Ben Murray and Juha Riipi on this exhilarating journey of innovation and discovery. 🎧📈

Show Notes:

00:00 Advanced Multiphysics Simulation Platform

03:30 Co-Founding Quantum Computing Startup

07:45 Targeting Enterprises for Sales Growth

11:53 Expanding Investor Network Effectively

13:41 "Key SaaS Metrics and Strategies"

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quanscient-secures-5-2-million-in-funding

Juha Riipi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juhariippi/

Quanscient’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quanscient/?originalSubdomain=fi

Quanscient’s Website: https://quanscient.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 another engaging episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, where host Ben Murray sits down with Arjun Pillai, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Docket. Arjun takes us on a journey through his impressive 13-year career in the realms of sales tech, martech, and data tech. Having founded multiple companies and successfully exited them, Arjun offers a wealth of experience and insights that he's now channeling into his new venture, Docket. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the confluence of entrepreneurship and innovative technology.

In their conversation, Arjun and Ben delve into the nuts and bolts of Docket's pioneering product - an AI sales engineer designed to assist B2B sales teams. As Arjun highlights, this tool aims to elevate the capacity of salespeople by enabling them to efficiently handle intricate product inquiries and competitive challenges, all while drawing from the best practices within their company. The dialogue also touches on key aspects of startup funding, AI technology, and creating a robust go-to-market strategy, making it essential listening for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Join us as we explore Arjun's transition from a successful engineer to a seasoned entrepreneur, uncovering the lessons learned and the paths paved along the way. With Docket's promising trajectory in the AI sales landscape and Arjun's insightful perspectives, this episode promises to deliver invaluable knowledge and inspiration for listeners across the board. Tune in for a conversation that bridges innovation and strategy in the ever-evolving world of SaaS.

Show Notes:

00:00 "AI Solutions for Sales Challenges"

04:26 Streamlining Sales Through Real-Time Support

09:03 CFOs Exploring GTM AI Strategies

11:19 AI Startups: Balancing Cost and Efficiency

16:00 Early Success Driven by Strong Fundamentals

19:38 Scaling GTM: Key Sales Metrics

22:58 "Prioritize Feedback For New Features"

24:02 Connect via LinkedIn or DocketAI

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/docket-raises-3-million-in-funding

https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/docket-ai-raises-15-million-in-series-a

Arjun Pillai’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rarjunpillai/

Docket’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/docket-inc/

Docket’s Website: https://www.docketai.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, host Ben Murray is joined once again by David DeWolf, the President and CEO of KnownWell. David, a seasoned entrepreneur and former software engineer, dives into his transition from building a successful consulting firm to founding KnownWell, a company that's making strides in the realm of commercial intelligence for professional service businesses. His passionate journey from zero to nearly $200 million in revenue, and his focus on digital product development, set the stage for this insightful conversation.

David shares updates on KnownWell's significant milestones, including their recent $4 million seed round, driven by unexpected commercial demand and market traction. With a mission to harness relationship data to empower service firms, KnownWell is making waves in the industry by offering innovative solutions that target operational challenges using AI. David's strategic approach to aligning with the right investors and the importance of cultural fit shines through as he discusses the company's ongoing growth.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the evolving SaaS landscape as David highlights the company's roadmap toward product market fit and their focus on scaling effectively. He reveals how KnownWell is leveraging thought leadership and a dedicated podcast to generate inbound leads and strengthen customer relationships. Don't miss this episode for a deeper understanding of how David and his team are navigating the complex world of SaaS, exploring new opportunities, and striving to build a platform for the AI era.

Show Notes:

00:00 Journey from Engineer to Entrepreneur

04:47 Outsourcing Challenges in Finance

08:28 Strategic Growth and Efficiency Planning

10:57 Pioneering AI Business Solutions

13:57 Surging Commercial Demand Strains Capacity

16:35 "Cultural Fit Matters Most"

19:26 Ambitious AI Firm Launch Strategy

23:31 Strategic Roadmap for Business Success

25:50 Enjoyable Experience, Thank You

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/knownwell-raises-4-million-in-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