Growth

The API economy and a Cambrian explosion of apps have transformed best-in-class tech to a stack of 20 apps working together. Partnerships have become a critical part of early go-to-market strategy that can lead to higher quality pipeline and accelerated sales.

Many SaaS startups often find their initial product market fit with small and medium businesses (SMBs) and then move up market. Because it's easier to move up market rather than down, this motion often gives SaaS startups the advantage against incumbents. But moving up market comes with its own challenges. We cover how to make (and price for) the move.

Another route to the public markets is the direct listing, recently reinvented for tech companies (with Spotify and Slack so far). This episode of the a16z Podcast brings together two experts from the frontlines -- the architect of the direct listings in their current form, the CFO of Spotify; and president of the NYSE, where they were listed -- in conversation with Sonal Chokshi to share more about the what, the how, and the why from an insider perspective. What does it, did it take?

In any company, even the seemingly smallest behaviors will influence your culture, while the loudest proclamations won't.

How to raise a convertible note and structure economic and corporate governance terms, liquidation preferences, and independent board members.

What makes a good sales person, how to actually close that deal, and how to build a company that incentivizes your sales reps.

For B2B2C business models, Rampell and Casado discuss growth lessons, the significance of sales expansion in enterprise contexts, and the when and how of building more than one product.

While many entrepreneurs want a massive valuation, there are terms that come along with that number.

The real checklist: credible growth story + operating leverage + accurate forecasting

AI is creative massive opportunities for startups by making it possible to build scalable online experiences that replicate the benefits of being in person.

Because improving your LTV:CAC from 2x to 3x can nearly triple your valuation.

When a platform shift reshapes the technology landscape, who wins? We unpack the market dynamics between startups and incumbents from the SaaS and cloud era that are likely to play out in the AI era.

Refocus your customer success org on driving customer health, and you'll unlock significant—and efficient—revenue growth in your post sales org.

How 2022 impacted growth, efficiency, and burn metrics, and how companies should view their metrics in light of these new benchmarks going forward.

Product and go-to-market teams must align upfront on how to segment customers, and on which features will result in more happy customers.

Some signs your monetization strategy isn’t working—and how to approach it.

What counts as "cash," developing a plan for that cash, building an adaptable operating model, and dealing with a liquidity crisis.