Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

I am thrilled to have Akshat Mandloi, the co-founder of Smallest.ai, a voice AI startup recently named among Inc42's "30 Startups to Watch" for 2025. A former senior data scientist at Bosch and IIT Guwahati alum, he's building hyper-realistic voice agents that support 30+ languages with ultra-low latency for enterprises worldwide. In this conversation, Akshat Mandloi, co-founder of Smallest AI, discusses his journey from working at Bosch to starting his own company, the challenges of operating in different markets, and the intricacies of developing voice AI technology. Akshat shares insights on language prioritization, the competitive landscape, and what it means to create enterprise-ready solutions. The conversation also touches on funding, building a strong company culture, hiring practices, and the future of voice AI technology. Timestamps 00:00 The Journey to Smallest AI 02:11 Navigating Operational Challenges 05:12 Language Prioritization in Voice AI 06:57 Building a Competitive Edge in Voice AI 10:15 The Build vs. Buy Debate 12:11 Funding and Investor Insights 14:11 Cultivating a High-Ownership Culture 16:21 Designing for User Needs 18:17 Remote Work vs. In-Person Collaboration 19:11 The Future of Voice AI 21:07 Speed as a Competitive Advantage 22:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 25:01 Vision for the Future Akshat's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat-2503/ Website - https://smallest.ai/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Bani K Maini: an AI product leader who transforms complex enterprise operations into scalable solutions that actually get adopted. From cutting forecasting errors by 74% to scaling platforms across 600+ sites in seven countries, she's built AI products for Fortune 500 companies - and conducted 70+ executive interviews at Stanford on how GenAI is reshaping enterprises. In this conversation, Bani Maini, an AI product leader, shares her journey from early exposure to technology in Japan to her current role in transforming enterprise operations through AI. She discusses the challenges of AI adoption across different cultures and regions, emphasizing the importance of understanding local nuances. Bani highlights the non-obvious challenges in rolling out AI products, such as process variance and data issues, and stresses the need for a clear problem-solving approach. She also differentiates between traditional machine learning and generative AI, providing insights into their respective applications. Timestamps 03:22 Understanding Enterprise AI Adoption Challenges 06:22 Cultural and Regional Differences in AI Adoption 09:18 Non-Obvious Challenges in AI Rollout 11:58 Navigating Inflection Points in AI Integration 15:11 Misconceptions About Generative AI in Enterprises 18:19 Identifying AI Use Cases and Metrics for Success 21:06 Traditional ML vs. Generative AI: Decision Framework 24:19 Generative AI in Supply Chain Optimization 27:18 Turning Unstructured Data into Actionable Intelligence 30:05 Organizational Structure for Global AI Teams 33:25 Driving User Adoption Across Cultures 36:13 Shifts in Enterprise AI Thinking 39:22 Reflections on Scaling AI Products 42:14 Final Thoughts and Resources Bani's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bani-k-maini-210b5b48/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled ot have Lars Leckie, a Partner at Aspenwood Ventures, bringing a rare founder-turned-investor perspective to early-stage investing. He co-founded AutoFarm (now Novariant), pioneering GPS and robotics in agriculture, where he built sales teams across three continents In this conversation, Lars Leckie shares his unique journey from coding and gaming to becoming a partner at AspenWood Ventures. He discusses the critical lessons learned from his early experiences in sales and strategy, emphasising the importance of understanding customer needs and the divide between engineering and sales cultures. Lars also delves into the evolving landscape of venture capital, the impact of AI on business models, and the significance of geographic proximity in tech innovation. Timestamps 00:00 From Gaming to Agriculture: Lars Läcki's Journey 03:23 Lessons from Sales and Strategy in Startups 06:12 The Investor's Perspective: Balancing Technology and Market 09:03 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape 12:15 The Future of IPOs and Private Capital 15:23 AI's Impact on Revenue and Business Models 18:04 Consumer vs. Enterprise AI: The Competitive Landscape 25:47 The Dynamics of Disruption in AI 28:27 AI Agents: The Future of Sales 30:26 The Role of Geographic Proximity in Tech 36:48 Education in the Age of AI 41:21 The Future of Venture Capital Lars's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsleckie/ Website - https://aspenwoodvc.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled ot have Udi Ledergor, the Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he spent nine years helping build the company from zero to a multi-billion-dollar valuation. A five-time B2B marketing leader, bestselling author of Courageous Marketing, angel investor, and board member In this conversation, Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong, shares his journey from product management to leading marketing at a billion-dollar company. He emphasizes the importance of human-centric marketing, the need to challenge traditional best practices, and the significance of creating valuable content that resonates with audiences. Udi discusses the evolution of marketing strategies, the role of AI, and the importance of hiring passionate individuals for growth roles. He also highlights insights from his book, 'Courageous Marketing', offering practical advice for marketers and business leaders. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Udi Ledergor and His Journey 02:29 The Decision to Join Gong and Its Potential 04:57 Building a Human-Centric Brand in B2B SaaS 09:48 Risky Marketing Decisions That Paid Off 15:54 Courageous Marketing: Breaking Best Practices 19:37 Finding Channel Fit and Growth Strategies 21:35 SEO and Generative AI: Adapting to Change 24:28 Engaging the 95%: Marketing to Future Buyers 27:20 The Evolution of Marketing Touchpoints 31:07 Hiring for Growth: Skills vs. Potential 34:06 Transitioning from CMO to Chief Evangelist 37:51 Insights from 'Courageous Marketing' Udi's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/udiledergor/ Book - https://www.udiledergor.com/book My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Sergey Korolov, who is the Co-CEO of Railsware and co-founder of multiple products In this conversation, Sergey Korolov, CEO of Railsware, discusses his journey from software developer to entrepreneur, the evolution of his products like Mailtrap and Coupler, and the challenges faced in the tech industry. Sergey shares insights on transitioning from service to product, the importance of understanding user segments through surveys, and the role of AI in enhancing productivity. He also reflects on the complexities of email delivery and strategies for competing against larger companies. Timestamps 00:00 The Journey from Developer to CEO 05:24 Transitioning from Service to Product 10:42 Mailtrap's Evolution and Monetisation 14:57 Controversial Onboarding: The Sign-Up Survey 18:49 Launching Coupler: A New Era 21:56 Technical Challenges in Email Delivery 25:58 Differentiation Strategy Against Giants 29:51 Managing Multiple Products Effectively 33:29 AI's Role in Railsware 38:41 Sales Strategy and Product Growth 42:47 Reflections and Lessons Learned Sergiy's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiykorolov/ Website – https://railsware.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, and the founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures. Brad invests at the intersection of national security and critical technology innovation, backing companies like Unite Us, ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics — which was recently acquired by AeroVironment. In this conversation, Brad Harrison, a former Army Ranger turned venture capitalist, shares his journey into the world of venture capital and the founding of Scout Ventures. He discusses the importance of mission-driven investments, particularly in the intersection of national security and critical technology. Brad emphasises the value of both first-time and experienced founders, the significance of government contracts, and the evolving landscape of AI in defence tech. He also reflects on investment strategies, the importance of people in startups, and the metrics for evaluating fund performance. Timestamps 00:00 From Army Ranger to Venture Capitalist 03:17 The Birth of Scout Ventures 06:04 Mission-Driven Investment Focus 09:07 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Funding 12:10 Backing First-Time Founders 15:13 Case Studies: Unitas and ID.me 18:09 Navigating Government Contracts 21:17 Defensible AI in Defense Tech 24:05 B2B Startups and AI Integration 26:57 Evaluating Startups: People, Product, Market 30:09 Ownership Stakes in Early-Stage Investments 33:14 The Future of Liquidity in Venture Capital 35:57 Lessons Learned from Exits 39:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Brad's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison/ Website – https://www.scout.vc/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Elias Mufarech who is a Senior Associate at Collide Capital, a pre-seed to Series A venture fund investing in fintech, future of work, and supply chain software. In this conversation, Elias Mufarech, a senior associate at Collide Capital, shares his insights on venture capital, the importance of operational support for founders, and the evolving landscape of startup expectations. Elias discusses his journey from building fintech software in Latin America to investing in startups, highlighting the critical lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the need for founders to have strong networks and the importance of understanding market dynamics, especially when competing against big tech companies. Timestamps 02:56 Lessons from Operating in Emerging Markets 06:20 Changing Expectations in Venture Capital 09:21 The Role of Capital and Networks in Founding 12:16 American vs. Emerging Market Founders 15:03 Operational Support in Venture Capital 18:21 Assessing Big Tech Risks in Startups Elias's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/elias-mufarech/ Website – https://www.collidecap.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ankur Patel who is the founder and CEO of Multimodal, where he's automating the most complex workflows in finance and insurance. He has 15+ years of work experience across companies like J.P. Morgan and Bridgewater In this conversation, Ankur Patel, founder and CEO of Multimodal, traces his path from JP Morgan and Bridgewater to building AI agents that automate complex workflows in finance and insurance. He explains how early exposure to data science and macro trading convinced him that AI would reshape enterprise work. He discusses why agentic AI is fundamentally different from chatbots, how enterprises evaluate risk, and why explainability is essential for adoption. Ankur breaks down pricing models for AI labor, the shift from seat-based SaaS to usage-based consumption, and the realities of selling to banks, insurers, and governments. Timestamps 00:01 – 01:46. Intro & journey from markets to ML 01:46 – 03:21. Why agentic AI is the next frontier 03:21 – 04:48. Multimodal's ambition vs prior startups 04:48 – 06:08. Judgment calls in lending workflows 06:08 – 07:47. Risk, unpredictability, and explainability 07:47 – 09:26. Compliance objections from financial institutions 09:26 – 11:46. Deploying AI in government 11:46 – 13:40. Pricing AI labor 13:40 – 15:34. Why seat-based SaaS breaks 15:34 – 17:44. ROI framing with banks and insurers 17:44 – 19:31. Common pricing mistakes 19:31 – 21:32. Usage pricing with budget predictability 21:32 – 23:51. Enterprise sales motion & channels 23:51 – 25:40. When to activate partnerships 25:40 – 27:32. Leadership lessons across domains 27:32 – 29:44. Content as a strategic advantage 29:44 – 32:39. Vertical AI will win 32:39 – 35:41. Future of agentic AI & student advice Ankur's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurpatel9/ Website – https://www.multimodal.dev/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Vivek Krishnamurthy, who is a Partner at Commerce Ventures, where he's spent over 8 years investing in commerce infrastructure and fintech. Before Venture, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Financial Technology Partners. He's particularly bullish on AI's transformation of insurance, backing companies like Kin Insurance, Liberate, and Authentic. In this conversation, Vivek Krishnamurthy, a partner at Commerce Ventures, discusses his journey into venture capital, the evolution of investment strategies, and the intersection of commerce and fintech. Vivek shares insights on the impact of AI on business, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the traits of successful founders. He also addresses the challenges of staying private and the role of VCs in the startup ecosystem. Timestamps 00:00 Journey into Venture Capital 03:08 Evolution of Investment Thesis 06:20 Commerce and Fintech Intersection 09:10 AI's Role in Modern Startups 12:01 Understanding Market Dynamics 15:23 Growth Metrics in Today's Market 18:09 The Impact of Staying Private 20:59 Traits of Successful Founders 24:20 The Role of VCs in Success 27:12 Sales Strategies in AI 30:03 Hiring Trends in AI Startups 33:13 Evaluating Investment Opportunities Vivek's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkri/ Website - https://commerce.vc/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Dallas Price, a Venture Builder at Forum Ventures, where he helps launch and scale six B2B SaaS startups every year through their AI Studio. His work centres on turning early-stage concepts into real companies, guiding founders across product, go-to-market, and fundraising In this conversation, Dallas Price, a venture builder at Forum Ventures, discusses his journey into the startup world, the workings of a venture studio, and the current landscape of AI startups. Dallas shares insights on navigating chaos in startups, the importance of defensibility, new distribution channels, and evolving pricing models. He emphasizes the significance of customer traction and the need for founders to focus on their strengths when pitching to investors. The discussion also touches on the future of AI spending and the potential for full stack AI companies. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Dallas Price and His Journey 03:08 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Forum Ventures 06:10 Understanding the Venture Studio Model 09:18 Navigating the AI Landscape and Talent Wars 12:13 Defensibility in AI Startups 15:14 Emerging Distribution Channels in AI 18:07 Innovative Pricing Models for AI Startups 21:15 The Future of AI Native Companies 24:18 Spotlight on Startups: Credit Pulse and Scout Climate 26:52 Investor Signals and Customer Demand 30:07 The Importance of Founders in Startup Success 33:30 Current Trends in AI Spending and Future Outlook 36:21 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Dallas's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallascprice Website – https://www.forumvc.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Seth Levine, venture capitalist and co-founder of Foundry, and Elizabeth MacBride, international business journalist and founder of Times of Entrepreneurship. Together, they co-authored The New Builders and now their latest book, Capital Evolution, explores how American capitalism is shifting—and why businesses, not government, may hold the keys to building a more inclusive and prosperous future. In this conversation, Seth Levine and Elizabeth McBride discuss their new book, 'Capital Evolution,' which explores the shifting landscape of American capitalism. They delve into the challenges posed by neoliberal capitalism, the consequences of prioritizing shareholder value, and the need for a more inclusive economic model. The authors advocate for 'dynamic capitalism,' which emphasizes the importance of meritocracy, economic mobility, and the role of businesses in society. They also touch on the impact of AI on the workforce and the necessity for government reform to restore balance in power dynamics. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Capital Evolution 03:14 The State of American Capitalism 04:54 Neoliberalism and Its Consequences 05:19 The Rise of Business Over Government 08:28 Meritocracy and Economic Mobility 11:40 Global Perspectives on Capitalism 14:22 The Future of American Democracy and Business 17:16 Comparative Economic Models 20:35 Conclusion and Reflections on Capitalism 25:41 The Dynamics of the American Economy 27:07 Understanding Dynamic Capitalism 30:09 Elements of Dynamic Capitalism 31:45 Success Stories in Employee Ownership 33:44 The Impact of AI on Employment 37:34 Universal Basic Income: A Controversial Solution 41:30 Reforming Government for a Sustainable Future 44:58 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Seth and Elizabeth's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethjlevine LDN - linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-macbride-85a3806 Website – https://thecapitalevolution.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Marcos Rivera, the founder and CEO of Pricing I/O, where he helps B2B SaaS companies capture the value they've built. Former Head of Pricing at Vista Equity Partners, he's priced over 400 SaaS products and has authored Street Pricing. In this conversation, Marcos Rivera, founder and CEO of Pricing.io, discusses the intricacies of pricing strategies in B2B SaaS. Marcos shares his journey from product management to pricing, highlighting common mistakes companies make, especially in underpricing their products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, the blend of art and science in pricing, and the impact of AI on pricing strategies. The discussion also covers diagnosing churn, building a pricing team, essential metrics for pricing decisions, and aligning sales and marketing efforts. Timestamps 03:04 Common Pricing Mistakes in B2B SaaS 06:22 The Art and Science of Pricing 09:02 AI and the Future of Pricing Models 12:18 Diagnosing Pricing Problems and Churn 15:10 Counterintuitive Pricing Strategies for Success 20:10 Innovative Pricing Strategies 22:20 Building a Team and Company Culture 25:07 The Role of Data in Pricing Decisions 26:28 Key Metrics for SaaS Pricing 29:11 Aligning Teams for Effective Pricing 32:28 Integrating AI into Pricing Strategies 36:08 Advice for Founders on Pricing Marcos's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoslrivera/ Website – https://www.pricingio.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

Aabhas Khanna, is General Partner at MyAsiaVC, a venture syndicate and fund with $125M AUM backing 250+ companies, including 5 unicorns. Previously at HSBC and Deloitte, he now invests in pre-seed and seed AI-native startups across enterprise growth, healthcare, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, focusing on obsessive founders tackling overlooked challenges. In this conversation, Aabhas Khanna, a general partner at MyAsia VC, discusses his journey from working in large corporations to venture capital. Aabhas shares insights on evaluating AI startups, the importance of founder quality, and the unique challenges and opportunities in different Asian markets. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in business models, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and the flow of capital in the Asian tech ecosystem. Timestamps 00:00 From Banking to Venture Capital: A Journey Begins 04:49 Navigating the AI Landscape: Signal vs. Noise 11:42 Regional Insights: Building in Hong Kong vs. Silicon Valley 17:31 Market Expansion: Local vs. Global Strategies 22:07 Investment Strategies: Reserves and Follow-On Investments 23:55 Identifying Future Unicorns: The Role of Founders 26:40 Navigating AI Disruption in Startups 28:29 The Role of Investors in Founder Decision-Making 30:56 Defining Good Growth in the AI Era 34:32 Capital Flows in the Asian Tech Ecosystem 38:20 Common Mistakes Founders Make 41:45 Reflections on Venture Capital and Personal Growth Aabhas's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aabhaskhanna/ Website – https://www.myasiavc.com/ Sajid interview - https://lifeselfmastery.com/2020/05/30/ep-143-sajid-rahman-on-investing-in-emerging-markets/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Doreen Pernel, Chief Sales Officer at Scaleway, Europe's leading sovereign cloud provider. She's built and scaled sales teams across Meta, Dataiku, Box, and Bloomberg, navigating Sydney, New York, London, and Paris. In this conversation, Doreen Pernel, Chief Sales Officer at Scaleway, shares her insights on sales leadership, cultural adaptability, and innovative strategies in the cloud computing industry. She discusses the importance of resilience in hiring, the evolving role of cold calling, and how to motivate teams against larger competitors. She also reflects on the impact of AI on sales roles and offers advice for women in sales leadership, highlighting the importance of taking initiative and seeking feedback for personal growth. Timestamps 02:12 Cultural Influences on Sales Leadership 04:10 Transforming Sales Strategies at Scaleway 06:13 Innovative Sales Outreach Techniques 08:22 Hiring for Resilience in Sales 10:20 The Evolving Role of Cold Calling 12:12 Identifying True Grit in Sales Hires 14:19 Motivating Teams Against Big Competitors 16:10 Balancing Celebrations and Reality in Sales 18:03 Selling on Values: Sustainability and Carbon Transparency 20:05 Supporting Startups and Sustainable Consumption 22:14 Using AI Tools in Sales 24:18 Future of Pricing in Cloud Services 26:14 Success Metrics for Scaleway's Go-to-Market Strategy 28:09 Advice for Women in Sales Leadership 30:23 Reflections on Career Growth and Feedback Doreen's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreen-pernel-1b30919b Website – https://www.scaleway.com/en/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Daniel Layfield, who is Director of Product Management at Diligent and founder of Subscription Index, advising subscription businesses on monetisation. In this conversation, Daniel Layfield shares his journey from finance to product management, discussing his experiences at Code Academy and Diligent. He emphasises the importance of understanding churn, effective pricing strategies, and the role of AI in product management. Daniel also explores the complexities of subscription models, the significance of metrics, and the impact of price localisation on revenue. Timestamps 03:48 Growth Strategies at Code Academy 07:11 Understanding Churn and the Four Horsemen 10:55 Identifying Ideal Customer Personas 13:04 The Hidden Math of Churn 15:55 Pricing Strategies for Subscription Models 19:04 The Future of Pricing in SaaS 20:45 Paywall Strategies and Feature Design 23:05 When to Invest in Subscription Management Tools 25:50 The Impact of AI on Product Management 26:49 The Future of AI and Software Development 29:24 OpenAI's Role in the Tech Stack 31:05 Challenges of Subscription Business Models 33:26 Identifying Key Metrics for Success 36:12 The Importance of Price Localization 40:33 AI's Impact on Subscription Monetization 42:32 Building a Writing Cadence and Sharing Knowledge 44:54 Lessons from Product Management Experience Daniel's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/layfield/ Website – Subscriptionindex.com Playbook - https://www.subscriptionindex.com/playbook My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ryan Johnson, who is the Chief Product Officer at CallRail, an AI-powered lead intelligence platform serving 200,000+ businesses with over $100M ARR. In this conversation, Ryan Johnson, Chief Product Officer at CallRail, shares his journey from finance to product management, discussing the evolution of CallRail from a call tracking service to a lead intelligence platform. He emphasises the importance of scaling product organisations, balancing sales and product-led growth, and navigating the challenges posed by AI disruption. Ryan also delves into pricing strategies, monetisation challenges in B2B SaaS, and the significance of a cohesive engineering, product, and design team structure. He highlights the role of self-reported attribution in marketing and draws parallels between racing and product management, underscoring the need for incremental improvements and customer obsession. Timestamps 03:30 Scaling Product Organizations: Lessons from Banjo 06:54 The Evolution of CallRail: From Call Tracking to Lead Intelligence 10:47 Balancing Sales and Product-Led Growth 13:12 AI Disruption in the Search Industry 15:53 Pricing Strategies in a Scaling Company 19:01 Challenges in Monetization and Standardization 22:44 Organizational Structure for Product Velocity 25:26 Agile Experimentation in AI-Enabled Organizations 26:16 Navigating Unit Economics in the Age of AI 28:45 Decisions That Drive Cost Efficiency 31:57 Product Strategy Across Different Stages 36:06 Balancing Partnerships and Product Simplicity 38:33 Solving Attribution Challenges with Conversation Intelligence 42:31 Racing Towards Product Market Fit 45:10 Reflections on Career Growth and Learning Ryan's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandjohnson/ Website –https://www.callrail.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Gary Bailey, founder of Strategim, a monetisation & pricing expert with a deep background in financial services, accounting, pricing, and AI. In this conversation, Gary Bailey, a monetisation and pricing expert, shares his journey from accounting to product management and pricing. He discusses the importance of pricing as a core discipline in business education, the evolving role of finance in pricing strategies, and the impact of AI on SaaS pricing models. Gary emphasizes the need for training the next generation in pricing and the role of a monetization architect in modern businesses. He also highlights common pricing mistakes, the importance of starting the monetisation journey with a feature list, and the need to redesign business education to adapt to the changing landscape. Timestamps 06:00 The Importance of Pricing in Business Education 09:17 Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty in Pricing 13:17 The Evolution of SaaS Pricing with AI 16:50 Training the Next Generation of Pricing Professionals 20:35 The Role of a Monetization Architect 22:26 The Architecture of Pricing Strategies 23:37 Evolving Pricing Models in SaaS 25:58 The Impact of AI on Job Markets 29:19 Preparing for an AI-Driven Future 32:17 Learning from Pricing Mistakes 33:48 Rebundling Features for Better Monetization 36:12 Rethinking Business Education in the AI Era Gary's Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-bailey-monetization-cfo/ Website – My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am thrilled to have Naveen Mohan, who leads monetisation at Otter.ai, bringing deep experience from Adobe and Loom. With a Carnegie Mellon Information Systems degree and software engineering background, he combines data science expertise with product management. In this conversation, Naveen Mohan, Product and Monetisation Lead at Otter.ai, shares his journey from data science to product management, emphasising the importance of experimentation in pricing strategies and the evolution of monetisation in tech startups. He discusses the balance between soft and hard paywalls, the rise of hybrid pricing models, and the significance of data-driven insights in growth strategies. Naveen also highlights the importance of regular pricing reviews and the role of monetisation across different departments in a company. Timestamps 02:13 Career Journey and Transition to Product Management 04:04 Monetization Strategies and Pricing Evolution 07:02 Common Pricing Mistakes and Experimentation 10:00 Balancing Paywalls and Conversion Strategies 12:16 Hybrid Pricing Models in SaaS 14:12 Bundling AI Features in SaaS Products 17:20 Growth Strategies and Resource Allocation 20:10 Key Metrics for Growth and Monetization 24:17 Hiring for Growth Teams 26:09 Pricing AI-Powered Features 30:25 Revisiting Pricing Strategies 33:02 Monetization Ownership Across Departments 36:22 Competitive Pricing in a Crowded Market 40:09 Lessons Learned in Monetization Leadership Naveen’s Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohannaveen Website – Otter.ai My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Ben Gutkovich, co-founder of Superlinked, helping AI engineers build information retrieval systems using vector embeddings. In this conversation, Ben Gutkovich, co-founder of Superlink, shares his journey from a software engineer to an entrepreneur in the AI space. He discusses the differences between consulting and building technology, the challenges of recruiting talent in a competitive market, and innovative strategies for business development. Ben also addresses the impact of remote work on startups, insights into M&A deals, and predictions for the future of AI. He emphasises the importance of usage-based pricing models and shares valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. Timestamps 03:20 From Consulting to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Shift 05:58 Attracting Talent in the AI Landscape 08:00 Innovative Partnerships and Recruitment Strategies 10:36 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities 12:32 M&A Insights: Evaluating Value Creation 13:34 Predictions for the AI Market 18:21 The Future of Computer Science Education 19:39 The Rise of Usage-Based Pricing Models 23:44 Raising Capital: Positioning for Success 25:40 Navigating AI Infrastructure Economics Ben’s Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benben Website – https://superlinked.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

I am excited to have Casey Woo, founder of Operators Guild, a community of 800+ top operators. He is also a General Partner at FOG Ventures, where he's witnessing how AI is killing the 18-month fundraising cycle, enabling 1000x returns in half the time. In this conversation, Casey Woo, founder of Operators Guild and general partner at Fog Ventures, discusses his journey from Wall Street to the startup world, the evolving landscape of fundraising, and the impact of AI on job roles and business operations. He emphasises the importance of generalists in startups, the need for effective distribution strategies, and the shift towards shorter fundraising cycles. Casey also shares insights on pricing strategies for AI startups, the rise of fractional roles, and the significance of relationships in business. Timestamps 02:53 Key Patterns in Startup Success 05:35 The Shift Towards Generalists in Startups 07:49 The Death of the 18-Month Fundraising Cycle 10:56 Optimizing Dilution in a Fast-Paced Environment 13:10 The Importance of Distribution and Velocity 15:12 Pricing Strategies for AI Startups 17:40 AI's Impact on Human Labor and Job Roles 20:31 The Rise of Fractional Roles in Startups 21:32 The Ideal Operator in the Age of AI 22:40 Operator-Backed Capital vs. Traditional VC 26:09 M&A Trends and the Role of Private Equity 27:55 Sectors Best Positioned for AI Transformation 30:43 Predictions for AI Company Dominance 32:30 Common Operational Mistakes in AI Startups 34:04 The Importance of Relationships in Business 36:03 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Casey’s Links LDN/ X – https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseywoo/ Website – https://www.fog.ventures/ Operators Guild - https://www.operators-guild.com/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes Newsletter: https://partner-grow.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/