In this episode of The 22 Show, Tejas Kinger interviews Alex, a leader in the GTM space, discussing the evolution of go-to-market strategies for SaaS companies, the impact of AI, and the importance of understanding customer needs. Alex shares insights from his diverse background, including his journey from music production to tech, and emphasizes the significance of metrics, global strategies, and the balance between horizontal and vertical SaaS. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in enhancing sales processes and the importance of maintaining human connections in business.
In this episode of The 22 Show, we sit down with SaaS partnerships veteran Isaac Betanzos to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in the industry: why most SaaS partnerships fail. With over a decade of experience building and scaling partner ecosystems across the globe, Isaac shares a masterclass on the strategy, psychology, and tactics required to turn partnerships into a powerful growth engine.Whether you're a partnership leader, a SaaS founder, or a professional looking to master the art of strategic alliances, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and a clear roadmap for building partnerships that last.
In this in-depth conversation, SaaS22 host Tejas sits down with Laura Cruickshanks, Co-founder of Atlas, to deconstruct her incredible journey and the tactical playbook behind her team's recent launch success. Laura shares candid stories, hard-won lessons, and the strategies that founders can apply to their own GTM motions in 2025.
This isn't just about a launch—it's about building a company culture of "extreme alignment," embracing the power of community, and knowing when to pivot.
In this episode, we sit down with Shuba Bhaskaran, a former programmer turned sales leader, to uncover the honest truths behind her transformation—and how she built a sales career grounded in empathy, adaptability, and modern tools like AI.Whether you're a sales professional, founder, startup leader, or just exploring the human side of business, this conversation is packed with real-life stories, tactical insights, and reflections on navigating change.🎯 What You'll Learn:How Shuba transitioned from programming to leading sales teams• The biggest shifts in the sales landscape• Foundational sales challenges—and how she overcame them• How AI is reshaping sales, both for better and worse• Why empathy matters more than ever in cold calls, negotiations, and hiring• Shuba’s favorite books, podcasts, and resources for continuous growth
What really happens behind the scenes of a startup accelerator Demo Day? 🚀In this raw and insightful interview, Nick Armstrong, founder of CHIRP, shares his journey through the Startmate accelerator, offering an inside look at how his team pivoted to a conversational AI sales assistant just weeks before their Demo Day pitch.
👉 Discover:
• The high-pressure reality of preparing a pitch while overhauling a product
• How customer feedback led to a bold pivot
• The true goals of Demo Day: funding, customers, or awareness?
• Nick’s unfiltered advice for early-stage founders: rehearse, lean on mentors, and embrace the chaos (and maybe wear a chicken hat 🐔)
What’s the secret to a great partnership? In a refreshingly honest chat, Heather Pertel, Rocketlane’s Head of Alliances, argues it’s all about the human element. Drawing on two decades in SaaS, she shares her journey and the powerful lesson behind her famous "no-assholes policy"—if you can’t build a genuine connection, the deal is destined to fail. This deep-dive covers everything from GTM strategy and navigating "co-opetition" to leveraging AI and building community. It’s a masterclass in how trust and relationships, not just revenue, are the true drivers of success in modern tech.
Sneha—a supply chain veteran turned tech founder, shares her inspiring Y Combinator journey. Tired of outdated enterprise software in construction, she and her co-founder (and brother!) built Merlin AI. Sneha demystifies the intense YC application process, highlighting the value of its brutal honesty and the clarity it brings. She reveals the magic of YC's office hours, the power of its tight-knit community, and the surprising humility of its partners. From all-nighters to meeting industry giants, Sneha's experience proves that YC is more than an accelerator – it's a transformative journey for founders ready to build something people want. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in applying to Y Combinator, especially in 2025 and beyond.
Meet Ivan, the data-driven co-founder of Stella.expert, whose journey from software development to WhatsApp marketing innovation showcases the power of strategic partnerships in the SaaS world. With a background in IT projects for BMW and Rolls-Royce, Ivan, alongside his co-founder Christian founded Stella.expert to transform conversational marketing via WhatsApp through their partnership with Wati. A Formula 1 enthusiast and performance optimization expert, Ivan believes in the complementary role of AI rather than its replacement of human expertise.
Welcome to Episode 2 of The 22 Show by SaaS22. Each week, we bring to you sizzling hot takes from the world of SaaS, AI, CX/EX, and Partnerships.
Join us for an insightful interview with Sunil Dutt, Head of Partnerships at DevRev, as he shares his unique journey from Olympic-level martial artist to tech industry leader. Discover how the discipline of martial arts shaped his approach to business strategy and partnership building.
Sunil offers valuable insights on:
Learn why focusing on depth over breadth in partner programs matters and how AI complements human intuition in modern business. Whether you're in tech, partnerships, or business development, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating today's dynamic business landscape.
Welcome to Episode 1 of The 22 Show by SaaS22. Each week, we bring to you sizzling hot takes from the world of SaaS, AI, CX/EX and Partnerships.
In this episode, Asher Mathew, CEO—Partnership Leaders shares the story of the community he founded in 2018 that grew from 50 to over 2,000 members across 95+ countries. The community helps technology partnership professionals connect, learn, and grow through digital and in-person engagements. In this long and candid conversation, Asher discusses the transformation of partner programs from tier-based to points-based systems, the impact of AI on partnerships, and his vision for elevating the partnership profession. He emphasizes the strategic importance of partnerships and the growing prominence of chief partner officer roles.
Check us out next week as we bring to you yet another exciting interview.