Sapphire Ventures on LinkedIn: #vc #saas (2025)

AI, as we all know, is booming.Given the volume of ideas, projects, and people flowing into the space every day, relying on your network and inbound dealflow will only get you so far. A 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 is more relevant than ever 👇In collaboration with G2, we at Harmonic published a list of 𝟭𝟬 𝗔𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵. About G2:G2 is the largest peer-reviewed software marketplace trusted by over 90M users to make informed software-purchasing decisions globally. Each team brought unique data points to the table to provide a holistic view of which AI companies are emerging, trending, and growing. Here’s how: 1-We ran a quick company search on Harmonic filtering by these criteria:→ Has an AI technology tag and AI-related keywords on its company website (e.g., LLM)→ Has maintained or grown headcount→ Has increasing website traffic→ Received funding in the last 12 monthsOut of 86,000 in the database, we identified 535 fastest-growing AI companies. 2-We cross-listed data from G2 to identify those with at least 15 verified user reviews that experienced the highest buyer-intent visits over the past year. Here’s the list: -Motion, a task planning and prioritization software for individuals and teams-Contlo, a GenAI-powered marketing automation software-Factors.ai, a B2B customer analytics platform-Reclaim.ai, an AI-powered calendar for teams-Marvin , the first AI-powered research repository for UX teams-WFHomie, employee experience and analytics software for remote teams-Phonic, a market research platform, recently acquired by Infillion-Supernormal, a video-conference transcribing tool-Browse AI, a no-code web data extraction tool-Connectly.ai, an AI-powered conversational commerce tool𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 is the category with the strongest market pull. Surprised?Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gCD8Riu3 #startups #ai #founders #venturecapital #tech PS 🔔 Follow me for tech industry trends, insights, and updates.

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🤖 Thrilled to be one of the 10 AI Start-Ups to Watch! 🤖 We don't like to talk about ourselves (we'd prefer to talk about our users).But we love to spotlight intensive, data-driven #research Harmonic & G2 partnered to provide a holistic, unbiased view of which companies are emerging, trending, and growing.Check out the details from Max Ruderman below for more info ⤵ And a big congratulations to the 9 other AI companies on the list!

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Seems like a perfect tool for MVP's

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The ecosystem of companies selling AI into the Fortune 500 is three times what it was 2 years ago. And it's not because of new startups and venture funding (VC funding has been low in the last 18mo).Two factors have grown the ecosystem:-- 1. Existing Software Companies Adding AI: It seems now like every software firm with 2,000+ employees is pivoting hard to showcasing their AI capabilities. Companies like Zendesk who once had no mention of AI now have AI front and center.Across life sciences, cybersec, financial services - large software firms are putting AI capabilities front-and-center in their homepage messaging, and in their product roadmaps. This was NOT the case just one year ago.-- 2. "Ecosystem" Players Pivoting to AI: Five years ago, the big consulting firms were publishing some thought leadership about AI, but they weren't really invested in go-to-market activities around AI. Now every IT / strategy consulting firm is pivoting to be an AI consulting company.Just one year ago, almost no datacenter companies were positioning themselves for AI - and now most of the big ones know for a FACT that their future lies not in hosting email servers, but in AI compute.The same can be said of hardware companies (NVIDIA's market cap sure woke a lot of them up).As it becomes more and more clear that more and more of the VALUE in the world will be derived from waking up data (i.e. #AI), the market for enterprise AI will expand to new ecosystem industries.Even with a "dry" venture capital market - there's been so much growth in the industry - and it's all just getting started.

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🚀 AI as a Game Changer for Small Businesses and Startups 🚀In this next installment of our series on the democratization of AI, we examine how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way small businesses and startups operate, providing them with tools previously accessible only to large corporations with deep pockets.Empowering Small Businesses with AICost Reduction: AI tools help small businesses reduce costs by automating routine tasks such as customer service, accounting, and inventory management. This automation allows small teams to focus on more strategic activities.Enhanced Decision Making: AI-driven analytics provide small businesses with insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational efficiency, enabling more informed decision-making.Personalization: AI enables small businesses to offer personalized experiences to their customers, a competitive advantage once reserved for larger companies with more resources.Practical Examples of AI in Small BusinessesCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: AI-enhanced CRMs can automatically update records, predict customer needs based on past interactions, and prompt employees with the best next steps.Marketing Automation: Tools like Mailchimp use AI to optimize email marketing campaigns, suggesting the best times to send emails and predicting the performance of content.Sales Forecasting: AI applications analyze historical sales data to predict future sales, helping small businesses manage inventory and cash flow more effectively.Challenges and OpportunitiesAccess to Technology: While AI tools are becoming more accessible, keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change can be challenging for small businesses.Skills and Training: There is a growing need for small business owners and employees to understand and manage AI tools effectively.Data Privacy: As small businesses implement AI solutions, they must navigate the complexities of data privacy regulations to protect customer information.ConclusionAI is not just for the tech giants; it is increasingly becoming a crucial enabler for small businesses and startups, helping them innovate, reduce costs, and improve customer engagement. As AI tools become more user-friendly and affordable, their adoption by small businesses is set to increase, reshaping the competitive landscape.📢 Discussion PromptHow could AI tools enhance your business operations? What barriers do you face in adopting AI technologies, and how could they be addressed?Stay tuned for our next post, where we will delve into the ethical considerations and inclusivity of AI in democratizing technology.#AIforBusiness #SmallBizTech #StartupInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence

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Every other enterprise software company over 1,000 employees is now positioning themselves as an AI company - or at minimum is highlighting new AI capabilities.This implies:1. Appealing to Exec Interest: There is an appeal to the current curiosity and boardroom demand to "do something with AI."2. Fending Off Competitors / Startups: Pressure is being felt from younger, AI-first startups who are using AI to do things faster and cheaper - and incumbent firms want to let the world know they're not falling behind.3. Acknowledging Future Trends: Firms recognize that the future of their workflows MUST involve AI in some way, and they're investing in product innovation (and in marketing).In the short-term, some of this might just be "#AI washing," but it likely won't be long until most large (1,000+ employees) software firms actually DO need to leverage AI in order to serve customers /stave off competitors.Long-term, I suspect that "AI" won't be something that vendor companies talk about, just like SaaS companies don't talk about "the internet" overtly in their marketing, or on their homepage.We're probably 5 years away from it now - but once AI hits a certain point of dispersion, we won't talk so much about "AI" in our enterprise software, we'll simply take for granted that AI is being used. The mass repositioning and AI innovation efforts of existing software firms is a canary in the coal mine for this trend.

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In the dynamic landscape of technology, adaptation is not just an option; it's a necessity for survival and growth. Companies often find themselves at crossroads, where the choice to pivot can be the difference between stagnation and success. Blobr's recent pivot from a developer portal to AI services serves as a compelling case study illustrating the importance of adaptability in the quest for scalability.Challenges of a Developer Portal Model:While developer portals have their merits, relying solely on this business model poses inherent limitations. Developer portals typically cater to a niche audience of software developers, limiting the potential for widespread adoption. Additionally, developer portals often struggle with monetization, as revenue generation relies heavily on developer engagement and platform usage. This dependency can result in inconsistent revenue streams and hinder long-term sustainability.Scalability Concerns:One of the primary drawbacks of a developer portal model is its lack of scalability. The success of developer portals hinges on attracting and retaining a critical mass of developers to the platform. However, scaling requires substantial resources in terms of infrastructure, support, and marketing. Furthermore, competition in the developer portal space is fierce, making it challenging to differentiate and capture market share. Blobr's pivot underscores the inherent scalability limitations of developer portals and the need for alternative growth strategies.Blobr's Strategic Pivot:Blobr's transition from a developer portal to AI services represents a strategic move towards scalability and diversification. By embracing AI technologies, Blobr can expand its market reach, attract a broader customer base, and unlock new revenue opportunities. The shift also aligns with broader industry trends towards automation, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation. Blobr's ability to adapt to market dynamics demonstrates resilience and foresight, positioning the company for sustained growth and success.Conclusion:The evolution of Blobr from a developer portal to AI services exemplifies the imperative of pivoting in today's fast-paced business environment. While developer portals have their merits, their scalability limitations underscore the importance of innovation and adaptability. By embracing new technologies and business models, companies can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and chart a path towards long-term viability. Blobr's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of pivoting and the boundless potential of embracing change.#developertools #ai

💥What you need to know about #ONPASSIVEWhat Do We Do?✨ONPASSIVE is an AI Technology Company that builds fully autonomous SaaS products for our global customer base using the latest AI software technologies. ONPASSIVE AI company brings a competitive advantage, innovation, and fresh perspectives to business and technology challenges. We are here to accelerate innovation and transform businesses from strategy to design, implementation, and management.💫Our wide range of AI products and solutions aims to transform global enterprises digitally. ONPASSIVE’s Product Innovation and Digital Transformation Strategies allow reinventing business models to help our customers achieve better operational efficiency and client experience.✨We enable the total value of game-changing Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions that are easy to use, adapt, and scale, making our clients successful in a fully connected world. We strive to help our clients build stronger customer relationships, drive sales, identify new opportunities, and analyze marketing results to enhance their businesses.💥Nurturing A Dream To Make a DifferenceONPASSIVE AI-Based Startup Is The Only Total Internet Solutions (TIS) Company With A Complete Ecosystem Of AI-Driven Applications And Tools. Tagged As The First-Ever Robust Smart Business Solution (SBS), ONPASSIVE Is The One-Stop Solution For all Your Innovative And Technological Necessities.✨With ONPASSIVE strategic IT consulting services, you get a viable business powered by an efficient toolset that sets on autopilot, fueled with an infinite and unlimited amount of traffic to your business. The solutions we emphasize and work towards automating a wide assortment of tasks to augment the profitability of your business.💫The Organization Likewise Focuses On Actualizing And Implementing Advanced Artificial Intelligence Technology Offerings And IT Development Services That Can Adapt To Varied Sizes Of Firms. Similarly, Small And Medium Enterprises Are The Ones That Will Be Profited From Our Solutions By Empowering Them With Modern Technology To Avert Any Competition From Large, Global Corporations.In it to win it✊✊✊

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Imagine a world where your go-to-market strategy is completely optimized using the power of AI! Sounds like science fiction? It's not – it's the revolutionary vision of Superframe and its founders, JohnDoe and JaneDoe.Our trending article titled: "Are AI-Powered Software Companies the Future of Go-to-Market Strategy Optimization?" deep dives into Superframe's remarkable growth and how the company is reshaping the market landscape with its innovative AI-powered solutions.Click on the link below to get an exclusive insight into Superframe's journey and learn how they're pushing the envelope in go-to-market strategy optimization:https://lnkd.in/ekzhFbPyGet ready to rethink your understanding of AI, marketing, and strategy optimization. Because the future is here, and it's powered by AI! Join us in following Superframe's incredible journey!#AI #Startup #Superframe #JohnDoe #JaneDoe #ArtificialIntelligence #GoToMarket #StrategyOptimization #TechNews #USVentureNews #Innovation #FutureIsHere

Excited to share with you all an illuminating piece on how AI is reshaping the world of business development! Our latest article, "Can AI Driven Change Analysis and Process Automation Transform Business Development?" dives deep into this complex yet fascinating topic.https://UKT.news/?p=13012We had the opportunity to learn from the change-makers at Hiphops, a pioneering analytics and SaaS company based in Manchester, who are trailblazing the sector with their innovative solutions. Hiphops.io is transforming how organizations automate their change release process in a more streamlined and efficient manner by harnessing the power of AI.Could this be the future of business development? You'll have to read the article to find out!Connect and engage with us by sharing your thoughts on the impact of AI on business development.#AI #BusinessDevelopment #ProcessAutomation #ChangeAnalysis #Analytics #SaaS #startups

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