What does the future of tech look like when it costs $0 to switch software?
Release Date: 08/03/2025
The AI Bubble Is Going to Burst In…
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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+)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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_outlineWhat 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.
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. Use code TOPLINE for 10% off your GA ticket.
Stay ahead with the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends with Topline Newsletter by Asad Zaman. Subscribe today.
Tune in to The Revenue Leadership Podcast every Wednesday, where host Kyle Norton talks with real revenue operators and dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a modern revenue leader.
You’re invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!
This episode is sponsored by UserEvidence. Want to know what actually moves the needle on trust? Download The Evidence Gap, a data-backed report on the customer proof that drives real results. Get it now at userevidence.com/evidence.
Key Chapters:
(00:00) - Welcome and Introductions
(02:00) - The Retreat Recap and Business Decisions
(04:30) - The Vanishing Switching Costs in SaaS and Cloud
(07:00) - Skepticism Around Kubernetes and Cloud Portability
(09:00) - Middle Market and SMB: Where AI-Enabled Switching Gains Traction
(12:00) - The Paradox of Switching Costs and Enterprise Inertia
(15:00) - The Ramp Phenomenon: Outpacing Incumbents with AI-Driven Finance
(18:00) - Future of Finance Teams: Human + AI Agents Collaboration
(22:00) - The Challenge of AI Hallucinations and Model Reliability
(26:00) - The Reality Check: AI Tools Slowing Developers Down
(29:30) - The Evolving Role of QA: More Fun or More Tedious?
(34:30) - Vibe Coding: Promise, Reality, and Use Case Limitations
(38:30) - Centralized AI Agents vs. Specialized Nano Agents
(42:30) - Envisioning 2030 Businesses: AI’s True Impact Unfolds
(45:30) - Defining General and Super Intelligence: Myth vs. Reality
(50:30) - The AI Singularity and Moral Frameworks: Can Machines Learn Ethics?
(54:30) - The Grains of Sand, Rubik’s Cube Permutations, and AI Complexity
(57:30) - Lighthearted Hot Takes: WNBA Enjoyment & Infinity Skepticism
(59:00) - Shoutouts to Masterminds, Meals, and Podcasts
(01:02:30) - Parting Thoughts on AI Adoption and CTAs for Listeners