AI SDR / BDR
We’re at a very unique time where we’re seeing a particular brand of company just doing exceptionally well. They’re all going from 0 -> 1mm ARR really quickly, and then making the leap to adding 1mm arr monthly, to I’m sure a wholly different level.
- Full Automation: Unify / 11x / Artisan / Reggie (Spam cannon?)
- Enablers: Nooks / Clay and more.
Today, it’s working. People are spending $3-5k a month to super charge their lead funnels, outreach, and nurturing. Sometimes, 30-50k. These were being automated to a degree in the past, but now they’re at hyper personal, and only with compute as the limit.
They have a unique loop at this time where, they’re using their own software to sell their software, and that’s a good reason why they’re going so quickly. Which means, why everyone will likely sign up. “I can 2x my funnel without hiring another person, sign me up” goes every exec.
These companies won’t be limited by the previous SaaS spend in these areas, but will now have access to the entire SDR hiring budget previously.
Seeing these extreme successes brings a few important questions top of mind:
- Where will these companies exceptionally succeed or fail? Will it be about ICP? Will it be about product type?
- What happens when every company has the same tools?
- We might see this play out sooner rather than later by watching them compete with each other?
- Does the email inbox or phone number finally asymptote as a valuable channel? Or will not be different than the warnings of the last 25 years?
- Will all these companies end up in the same space as the companies approaching it from CX (Decagon, Sierra, Parahelp, etc)
Exceptional Talent
Building launchpads for young people is something that does good in the world. It lets those who haven’t yet had their first break, get chance to do something they’re quite passionate about with a wind in their back. That would could alter the trajectory of their life, but also also of hundreds, thousands, and sometimes millions of lives. This applies across all domains, but I’ve always been particularly interested in those who want to invent technologies and build businesses.
I try to live up to this as frequently as I can. I bring this up for two reasons:
1. Kothari Fellowship – My friend Nikunj, and his brothers Pranav and Akshay, launched a version of this for young talent in India! I’m so excited for this to exist and looking forward to tracking, both, the initiatives progress and the people coming of it!
In their classy style, they did it as a Notion page and posted on their socials.
2. Taimur & Lukas – They’re brilliant folks I met back in 2020(?). Their company, an investment I eventually made, Causal, got acquired. In their email to investors, I got a shoutout that aligns perfectly with this intention of mine in the world.
Varadh 