Libsyn Directory

E106: AI-Driven vs AI-First vs AI-Native with Eric Wolford of Accel

Release Date: 04/27/2025

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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/

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...

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/

More Episodes

In this episode, Sam Jacobs and Asad Zaman are joined by Eric Wilford, a venture partner at Accel, to discuss venture investing with a focus on AI-first companies. The discussion delves into what defines an AI-first company, the implications of AI on product development and go-to-market strategies, and the influence of macroeconomic conditions on venture investments. Eric also shares his perspectives on valuation, the competitive dynamics in AI, and the role of authenticity in successful entrepreneurship.

Thanks for tuning in! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!

Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

Key Moments:

(00:00) - Introduction

(03:21) - Discussion on AI-First Companies

(06:35) - AI in Enterprise SaaS and Product Customization

(18:00) - Macro Economy and Venture Investing

(22:23) - Navigating Recessions and AI Era

(25:05) - Valuations in the AI Market

(30:58) - Raising Capital: Strategies and Debates

(35:57) - Founders' Goals and Investor Alignment

(38:53) - Inspiration and Final Thoughts

TOPICS