Scaling, AI, and Leadership after Big Tech: Lessons from Highspot's Bhrighu Sareen
Release Date: 02/12/2025
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info_outlineThinking about leaving Big Tech for a startup? In this episode of Founded & Funded, Madrona Managing Director Tim Porter sits down with Bhrighu Sareen, who took the leap from Microsoft to Highspot and has been leading AI-driven product innovation ever since. They talk about the realities of transitioning from a massive company to a high-growth startup, scaling AI-driven teams, and how Bhrighu’s helping transform sales enablement through automation and intelligence.
His insights on navigating change, working with founders, and executing at speed are a must-listen for any leader considering the leap from stability to startup chaos. Tune in now for practical strategies and an inside look at how AI is reshaping go-to-market execution.
Transcript: https://www.madrona.com/big-tech-to-startups-highspot-bhrighu-sareen Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:01 Bhrigu Sareen's Journey at Microsoft
06:52 Transition to Highspot
10:00 Working with Founders and Building Trust
16:31 Increasing Product Velocity and Efficiency
21:12 Cross-Team Dependencies and Offshore Strategies
23:02 Starting the Journey at Highspot
23:31 Navigating Economic Uncertainty
24:21 Expanding Talent Pool in Vancouver
25:37 Establishing a Development Center in India
27:54 Challenges and Surprises in Transition
29:50 Innovating Through Economic Challenges
31:01 HighSpot's AI and ML Innovations
33:03 AI-Powered Sales Training and Coaching
36:14 Future of AI in Sales and Marketing
43:31 Balancing Data and User Experience
47:28 Looking Ahead: AI Agents and Productivity Gains