The AI Bubble Is Going to Burst In…
Topline
In this episode of Topline, hosts Sam Jacobs, Asad Zaman, and AJ Bruno dive into the question of whether we’re currently in an AI bubble. We talk through key data points on valuations, venture capital’s dry powder, and $3 trillion in projected data center investments. Is AI unsustainable hype, true long-term growth, or both at the same time? Thanks for tuning in! Catch new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. to Topline Newsletter. , the #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. to...
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We Analyzed EVERY Y Combinator Company (1,000+)
Topline
We ran the biggest public study on YC company’s successes and failures in history. This is what we learned about the most prolific startup incubator in history. Thanks for tuning in! Catch new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. to Topline Newsletter. , the #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. to connect with 600+ revenue leaders to keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! (00:00) - The Biggest Study on YC (00:40) - Personal...
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How To Spend Your 20s in The Super Intelligence Economy
Topline
3 multi-millionaire founders give their practical insights on how to prepare for the rise of AGI and super intelligence. Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Elevate your 2026 strategy and join us from September 23 to 25 in Washington, D.C. Stay ahead with the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends with Topline Newsletter by Asad Zaman. . every Wednesday, where host Kyle Norton talks with real revenue operators and dives deep into...
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SPOTLIGHT: AI Isn’t Just Faster Translation, It’s a $40B Tug-of-War for Global Attention with Bryan Murphy of Smartling
Topline
Bryan Murphy, CEO of Smartling, confronts a $40 billion industry stuck in the slow lane, the world of translation. Most companies still handle translations like it’s 1999: manual, expensive, and painfully slow. Bryan saw AI as the game changer that could rewrite the rules, but integrating it wasn’t a walk in the park. He shares how Smartling harnessed AI to not just cut costs and speed up translation but to finally boost quality close to human-level precision without losing control over brand voice or nuance. Yet, making this leap meant upheaval: reorganizing teams, hiring AI experts, and...
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We Run $1m+ Businesses. These Are The Jobs We’re Giving to AI
Topline
Sam Jacobs, Asad Zaman, and AJ Bruno and CEOs who are fundamentally changing how they are hiring and firing because of AI. These are the jobs that will and won’t exist in the next 12 months, and our real-world insights on what CEOs are looking for out of their talent base. Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Elevate your 2026 strategy and join us from September 23 to 25 in Washington, D.C. Stay ahead with the latest industry developments...
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SPOTLIGHT: Surviving the Inbox Apocalypse with Evan Huck of UserEvidence
Topline
Nobody told startup founders building credibility felt this messy. Evan Huck, CEO and co-founder at UserEvidence (ex-SurveyMonkey, TechValidate), pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to turn verified customer proof into actual demand. Forget the fairytales: from wrestling with cold starts in outbound sales to playing the long game with brand, Evan’s war stories are pure fuel for GTM teams tired of overnight success myths. Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM...
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What does the future of tech look like when it costs $0 to switch software?
Topline
What if AI made switching platforms effortless—and what would that mean for SaaS? This week on Topline, Sam Jacobs, Asad Zaman, and AJ Bruno unpack the latest headlines around Databricks, Snowflake, and Ramp to explore whether AI is truly shifting the foundations of enterprise software. They debate the reality behind “vibe coding,” question whether AI is actually boosting productivity (or just slowing us down), and discuss why so much of today’s AGI conversation feels overhyped. Plus: the rise of nano agents, the illusion of developer efficiency, and what jobs might look like in 2030....
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Kyle Norton on Decoding Churn: Enhancing Retention in High-Growth Businesses
Topline
Dive into a conversation with Kyle Norton, CRO of , as he reveals the journey of addressing churn in a fast-growing SMB-focused business. Kyle discusses the challenges of identifying the true causes of churn and the strategic decisions required to improve retention. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders managing high-growth companies looking to refine their customer success strategies and enhance product value perception. Revenue Blindspots is brought to you by Otter.ai. To learn more, visit https://get.otter.ai/samjacobs/
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E119: What Public SaaS Can Learn from Private Equity
Topline
Public SaaS companies are growing faster—but private equity–backed SaaS companies are doing it more profitably. In this episode, AJ and Asad dig into comparing ARR growth and EBITDA margins across both groups, and debate what’s really driving the difference: lower R&D spend, selection bias, or superior go-to-market execution. They also unpack the implications of long CAC paybacks, PE-style operational rigor, and whether most founders truly understand the capital partners they’re signing up with. Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday. Don’t...
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Asad Zaman's Take: Rethinking Key Person Risk and Business Growth
Topline
Asad Zaman, CEO of Sales Talent Agency, joins Sam Jacobs to challenge conventional wisdom around key person risk. Asad's unique perspective on building a business deeply intertwined with personal brand and long-term vision offers a fresh take on driving growth without the traditional focus on enterprise value. This episode is perfect for leaders questioning the status quo and seeking to build enduring businesses with a personal touch. Revenue Blindspots is brought to you by Otter.ai. To learn more, visit https://get.otter.ai/samjacobs/
info_outlineIn this episode, we’re joined by Gaurav Agarwal, COO of ClickUp, who’s led the company’s explosive growth to over 10 million users while slashing CAC by 3X and achieving profitability. Gaurav dives into why ClickUp’s hybrid motion is crushing it and how to align both for compounding returns, how they reduced CAC by ruthlessly optimizing spend and embracing incrementality over attribution, how to build teams that thrive under high accountability, and more.
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Key Moments:
(00:00) Introduction to Gaurav Agarwal and ClickUp
(02:54) Gaurav's Journey from Banking to Startups
(06:04) Growth Strategies and Challenges at ClickUp
(14:54) Branding vs. Performance Marketing in SaaS
(21:54) Navigating Brand Marketing and Measurement
(24:44) The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
(27:39) The Role of Pain in Leadership and Growth
(35:57) The Dichotomy of Being Liked vs. Respected
(40:39) Building Resilient Teams Through Real Challenges
(51:14) The Dynamics of PLG and SLG
(52:37) Fragmentation in Go-to-Market Strategies
(56:42) The Role of Marketing in Revenue Generation
(01:00:45) Influences and Inspirations in Business