The SaaS CFO

Ben Murray
The SaaS CFO

Ben Murray, The SaaS CFO, talks all things SaaS.

  1. 5D AGO

    PE Investment in LumiQ to Educate the Accounting Profession

    Welcome back to another insightful episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we have an enlightening conversation with Michael Kravshik, the co-founder and CEO of LumiQ. Starting from its humble beginnings between 2015 and 2016, LumiQ has evolved from a recruitment-focused product for CPAs to a leading platform in CPA education, officially launched in 2019. Now operating across North America with a dedicated team in Toronto, LumiQ has achieved impressive milestones, including surpassing an annual recurring revenue of $10 million and securing its first institutional funding through a private equity deal.  Join us as Michael shares his journey in transitioning from traditional CPA roles to innovative banking security, and the entrepreneurial path that led him to creating LumiQ. We’ll dive into LumiQ's unique monetization strategies, their go-to-market approach, and the intricate process of maintaining and expanding CPE credits for finance professionals. Michael also provides valuable insights on fundraising, the importance of transparency with investors, and the impacts of cultural differences on business growth. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of SaaS financial leadership and learn from Michael’s firsthand experiences and strategic outlook.  Show Notes:  00:00 Founded Lumiq, an educational podcasting platform.  04:20 Content and platform integration ensures compliance.  07:19 Founded in 2015-16; launched Lumaq in 2019.  12:05 Initially targeted small businesses, expanded to accounting firms.  15:02 Focused on sustainable, cashflow-positive business growth.  16:51 We prioritized transparency, fostering strong investor trust.  21:49 Canadians less risk-taking, impacting growth and stability.  25:51 Alignment with partners is crucial for success.  27:44 ARR and cash are primary focus metrics.  30:38 Caring deeply about CPAs drives success.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/lumiq-secures-funding-round  Michael Kravshik’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkravshik/  LumiQ’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumiqlearn/  LumiQ’s Website: https://lumiqlearn.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

    31 min
  2. JAN 7

    $1.4M Raised to Use AI Models to Boost Farming Yields

    In this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, we're excited to welcome Freddie Monk, the co-founder and CEO of Aya Data. Freddie takes us through his incredible journey from working as a strategy consultant at EY in London to moving to Ghana, where he co-founded Aya Data with a Ghanaian friend and their previous boss. Freddie's unique path illustrates the potential of talent and innovation in Ghana, as well as the opportunities he saw to create socially impactful business ventures.  Freddie sheds light on how Aya Data evolved from providing data annotation services to becoming a full-service AI consultancy firm. He dives into Aya Data's significant projects, including a precision agriculture platform that leverages remote sensing data and custom AI models to provide tree-level or plant-level analytics. Additionally, he talks about their second SaaS product, which is an African language speech solution designed to democratize communication for those who can't read or write in English or French.  We also explore the vibrant tech landscape in Ghana and Aya Data's recent pre-seed funding round of $900K, which is set to propel their growth even further. Freddie discusses their mission to scale their SaaS products, the importance of protecting proprietary data, and the strategic plans for expansion into new global markets. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI, agriculture, global tech innovation, and the burgeoning opportunities within the African tech ecosystem. Tune in to be inspired by Freddie’s story and the groundbreaking work of Aya Data.  Show Notes:   00:00 Excited for impactful work and entrepreneurial opportunities.  03:03 Harness Ghana's talent, create jobs, provide services.  07:29 Primary customers: big farms; secondary: insurance, investment.  10:31 Mobile payments grow; medical tech innovates solutions.  16:23 Validating milestones, major partnerships, protectable IP achievements.  19:51 V7 Labs' data room template aids fundraising success.  22:49 Investing to scale SaaS products globally.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/aya-data-raises-900k-in-seed-round  Freddie Monk’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddie-monk-38347456/  Aya Data’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aya-data/  Aya Data’s Website: https://www.ayadata.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

    24 min
  3. 12/19/2024

    1.4M CAD Raised to Build the Modern API Integrator

    Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Roy Pereira, the CEO and co-founder of Unified. Roy's journey through the tech world is nothing short of captivating; from dropping out of university to jumpstart his entrepreneurial career, to navigating the ins and outs of Silicon Valley, and eventually founding multiple startups. Unified, his latest venture, provides an innovative API integration infrastructure that saves SaaS companies valuable time and resources.  Join us as Roy delves into the specifics of Unified's services, the challenges and triumphs of building API integrations, and the strategic evolution of their pricing models. We also discuss the startup's unique approach to inbound marketing, their lean yet efficient team dynamics, and the arduous but rewarding path of fundraising in today's market. Roy shares invaluable advice for fellow SaaS founders and gives us a glimpse of what's on the horizon for Unified. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with practical wisdom and entrepreneurial inspiration!  Show Notes:   00:00 Unified to: Simplifies API integration, saves time.  05:21 Developed new, customer-friendly, sliding scale pricing model.  08:34 Founded in 2023; automated platform for efficiency.  13:24 Raising funds is difficult; requires targeted networking.  16:05 Metrics-focused meetings emphasize KPIs and customer journeys.  17:30 Expanding API integrations; aiming for 500 total.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/unified-to-secures-1-1m-cad-in-pre-seed-round  Roy Pereira’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roypereira/  Unified’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unified-to/  Unified’s Website: https://unified.to/  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

    19 min
  4. 12/10/2024

    4.4M Raised to Create Enterprise Software Products with AI Agents

    Welcome to another enlightening episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to host Brian Elliott, CEO and co-founder of Blitzy—a groundbreaking company pushing the boundaries of software development through AI. Brian’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, starting from his education and service at West Point and Army Special Operations, to Harvard Business School, where he met his co-founder, Sid, and laid the foundation for what would become Blitzy. Their mission? To democratize and accelerate software development using cutting-edge AI technologies.  In our conversation, Brian delves into the nitty-gritty of building a tech startup from the ground up. He recounts the initial spark for Blitzy, which began as a pro bono project for a local bakery, and how it quickly evolved into a robust platform serving major enterprises, especially in finance and insurance. He elaborates on the unique value proposition of Blitzy—generating enterprise-quality code at breakneck speeds, dramatically compressing development cycles, and offering unparalleled efficiency.  We also look ahead to the future of SaaS, contemplating how innovations like Blitzy might reshape the industry landscape. With discussions on product development, pricing, and go-to-market strategies, Brian provides a wealth of insights that are sure to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike. So, plug in those headphones and join us for a captivating discussion that bridges technology, business, and innovation.  Show Notes:  00:00 Served Army, founded Blitzy using AI innovations.  04:52 Achieved enterprise software breakthrough, patenting technological innovations.  06:25 Expensive product tailored for businesses' code needs.  10:31 Extensible full-cycle system for legacy tech industries.  15:55 Boston's ecosystem excellent for attracting talented researchers.  18:49 Revenue focus; manage pipeline; assess code quality.  20:12 Converted service customers to engaged SaaS users.  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/blitzy-raises-4-4-million-in-funding  Brian Elliott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancelliott/  Blitzy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blitzyai/  Blitzy’s Website: https://blitzy.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

    22 min
  5. 12/05/2024

    $8M Series A to Build an All In One Shipping Management Software

    Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today’s episode, we're excited to bring you an insightful conversation with Mohammad AlRazaz, the co-founder and CEO of OTO. Mohammad’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—from his beginnings in electrical engineering to his leap into the startup world, and eventually founding OTO, a revolutionary shipping gateway. This platform empowers small and medium-sized businesses to level the playing field against industry giants like Amazon by offering an all-in-one shipping management solution.  Throughout our discussion, Mohammad sheds light on the origins and rapid growth of OTO. He explains how the company initially targeted omnichannel clients but quickly expanded to serve a wide range of e-commerce businesses. Mohammad also shares their strategic shift from a sales-led approach to a product-led growth model, allowing 80% of their clients to onboard without human interaction. This episode is packed with practical insights, including their fundraising journey which culminated in a successful Series A round, and the vital metrics that guide their business decisions.  As we dive deeper, you'll hear Mohammad’s valuable advice for other SaaS founders, especially those eyeing their Series A. He emphasizes the importance of identifying key milestones, the challenges of fundraising, and strategies for global expansion. If you're keen on understanding how to scale a startup and compete with major players, this episode is a must-watch. So, sit back, relax, and let's learn from Mohammad AlRazaz's incredible journey with OTO.  Show Notes:  00:00 Engineer turned entrepreneur; excels in business ventures.  06:58 Auto facilitates shipping and warehouse management growth.  08:50 Started in auto, thrived connecting during COVID.  12:06 Fast-growing SaaS company raised $3 million seed.  15:01 Shifted to PLG for customer acquisition success.  18:32 Expanding to Turkey requires localization and investment.  22:02 Fundraising consumes time, prioritize building and scaling.  25:36 Expanding businesses in MENA, GCC, and beyond.  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/riyadh-based-saas-startup-oto-raises-3-million-in-seed-round  Mohammad AlRazaz’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malrazaz/  Oto’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryotocom/  Oto’s Website: https://tryoto.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

    27 min
  6. 11/20/2024

    850K Raised to Reach the Right Prospect at the Right Time

    Welcome back to The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to host Mark Walker, the visionary co-founder of Revved Up. With a dynamic background ranging from the events industry to pivotal roles in tech and SaaS, including growth leadership at Eventbrite and various startups, Mark's journey is packed with insights on building and scaling go-to-market teams. His unique career trajectory and vast experience offer a wealth of knowledge for anyone navigating the fast-paced world of tech startups.  In this episode, Mark introduces us to Revved Up, an innovative platform leveraging AI to transform account-based marketing. Born from Mark's challenges as a CRO in ensuring consistent, relevant outreach, Revved Up provides scalable research and bespoke content. Its mission is to simplify lead generation and enhance engagement with prospects. Mark's insights on AI in marketing are sure to inspire SaaS founders and marketers looking to innovate and optimize their strategies.  Additionally, Mark shares his fundraising journey, having raised nearly a million dollars in pre-seed funding to propel Revved Up's growth. From initial struggles to oversubscribed rounds, his experiences yield invaluable lessons for other founders. With their headquarters in London and a remote team spanning continents, Revved Up is on an exciting trajectory. As Mark and his team gear up for the next phase, we'll get a sneak peek into what's ahead. Whether you're intrigued by AI, SaaS marketing, or startup funding, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. So sit back, relax, and let's dive in!  Show Notes:    00:00 Revved Up focuses on educating and resonating buyers.  04:22 Scaling ABM principles for outreach across markets.  08:47 AI tools personalize large, complex deals efficiently.  12:34 Improving UX and surprising clients with AI.  14:04 Raised large pre-seed due to high interest.  19:38 Expanding team aligns with tools' effectiveness improvement.  21:16 Aim: Increase response rate to 5%.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/revvedup-raises-850k-pre-seed-round  Mark Walker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfdimark/  Revved Up’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revvedupai/  Revved Up’s Website: https://revvedup.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

    25 min
  7. 11/14/2024

    Fathom Raises a $17M Series A to Boost Your Productivity

    Welcome to another riveting episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! I'm your host, Ben, and today we have an extraordinary guest with us—Richard White, the founder and CEO of Fathom. With a background as a computer scientist, Richard quickly transitioned into the world of product design and has since become a pioneer in AI-powered software. He honed his skills and experience during his time with Y Combinator and through his previous venture, UserVoice, which laid the groundwork for his current success. Today, Fathom stands as the number one rated AI note taker on G2, making waves with its innovative approach to simplifying meeting notes and enhancing productivity.  In our conversation, Richard opens up about the unique fundraising strategies that powered Fathom's growth, including an impressive $27.3 million raised across multiple tranches and a notable series A. He also shares his insights on the evolving landscape of AI in SaaS products, discussing the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating advanced AI capabilities. Richard's perspective on the importance of user satisfaction, exemplified by Fathom's world-class NPS score, offers valuable lessons for any SaaS professional aiming to build products that not only solve problems but delight users.  Whether you're a startup enthusiast, a seasoned SaaS executive, or someone intrigued by the future of AI in business, today's episode is brimming with insights you won't want to miss. Richard's passion for creating products that truly enhance user experience and his strategic approach to building a successful SaaS company provide a goldmine of knowledge. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Richard White's remarkable journey and the innovative work happening at Fathom. Let's dive into the conversation!  Show Notes:  00:00 Fathom: free AI notetaker, popular, premium options.  05:54 Fortunate entry into Zoom marketplace accelerated success.  08:05 Aggressive Moore's Law application, Amazon-style long-term strategy.  12:47 Unique, coalition-building fundraising strategy with small checks.  14:51 Series A expectations now demand fully developed businesses.  17:57 Founder prefers direct approach over lengthy fundraising.  22:55 Monthly meetings assess MPS scores, engage customers.  23:47 Surfing AI wave: Insightful tools for teams.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/fathom-raises-17-million-in-series-a  Richard White’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrwhite/  Fathom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fathom-video/  Fathom’s Website: https://fathom.video/  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

    25 min
  8. 11/06/2024

    $4.8M Raised to Improve Customer Purchase Experience on Stripe

    Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Flynn Glover, co-founder and CEO of Schematic, join us for an insightful conversation. Flynn takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, from aspiring soccer player to successful entrepreneur. He shares how his first company, which started as a location-based app, evolved into a content marketing software and eventually got acquired.  Flynn then dives into his current venture, Schematic, a platform that enhances Stripe for developers by managing the complexities of pricing and packaging for B2B SaaS companies. He explains how Schematic helps startups by offloading the infrastructural burden around Stripe, enabling them to focus on core product development. Flynn also discusses Schematic's unique approach to both early-stage and more established companies, and their recent public availability launch.  With a solid blend of personal stories, strategic insights, and practical advice, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for any SaaS founder. Flynn shares his experience with fundraising, customer acquisition, and the innovative solutions Schematic brings to the table. Don’t miss out on this engaging and informative episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast!  Show Notes:  00:00 Supercharging Stripe for developers’ pricing infrastructure.  05:54 Focus: aiding engineering to optimize tiered offerings.  07:15 Early-stage companies prefer Schematic's easy implementation.  10:47 Founder hustle: referrals, stories; content-driven marketing.  13:46 Key milestone: Real customers trust product production.  17:53 Early stages, need pricing models, improve onboarding.  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/schematic-raises-4-8-million-in-seed-round  Flynn Glover’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fynn-glover-b0410015/  Schematic HQ’s: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schematichq/  Schematic HQ’s Website: https://schematichq.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 etrics 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

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Ben Murray, The SaaS CFO, talks all things SaaS.

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