The SaaS CFO

Ben Murray

Ben Murray, The SaaS CFO, talks all things SaaS.

  1. 1D AGO

    Double Raises $13M to Close Your Books in Half the Time

    On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Ben Stein, co-founder and CEO at Double, to dive into the world of SaaS finance, automation, and the evolving tech landscape for accounting teams. Ben Stein shares his journey from his early days as a CFO at an AR startup, to launching Double—a cutting-edge month-end close management platform that automates everything from transaction categorization to flux analysis.  The conversation covers Double’s rapid growth, including its $13 million in capital raised, the strategic importance of AI in their platform, and the lessons learned from their Series A fundraising. Ben Stein also opens up about the challenges and learnings around company rebranding, finding the right investor–founder fit, and the metrics he relies on to steer the business. Whether you’re part of an outsourced accounting team or building the finance function inside a high-growth SaaS business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling finance operations, go-to-market strategies, and the future of accounting tech.  Tune in to hear why listening to customers, focusing on the right product, and getting your metrics right can make all the difference in building and scaling a SaaS company.  Show Notes:  00:00 Month-End Close Automation Tool  06:00 "AI Unlocks Growth Opportunities"  06:56 "Choosing Board Members Wisely"  10:36 "Client-Based Pricing Explained"  12:57 Finance Insights: Prioritize Simplicity  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/double-raises-6-5-million-series-a  Ben Stein’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfstein/  Double’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doublehq/  Double’s Website: https://doublehq.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    16 min
  2. MAR 5

    401GO Raises $48M to Bring a Modern 401k Platform to SMBs

    Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, hosts Ben Murray and Matt Perrott sit down with Dan Beck, CEO and co-founder of 401GO, to dive into the world of SaaS-driven financial services and the unique challenges facing founders and small businesses when it comes to retirement plans.  Dan Beck shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the story behind launching 401GO with his brother, the company’s mission to simplify and automate 401(k) plans for smaller organizations, and how modern technology is transforming retirement solutions. From tackling outdated industry systems to enabling instant, automated plan set-ups, Dan reveals why 401GO stands out in a space dominated by complexity and legacy platforms.  We also explore Dan’s experience transitioning from bootstrapping businesses to raising over $48 million in venture capital, including the differences, stresses, and rewards between these two worlds. Whether you're a CFO, founder, or anyone curious about scalable SaaS solutions and startup growth, Dan’s insights on unit economics, partner channels, and operational metrics will leave you inspired and informed.  Tune in for actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and fresh perspectives on building a SaaS business that’s reimagining financial wellness for employees everywhere.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Challenges of Offering 401(k)s"  05:40 "Outdated 401(k) Systems Persist"  07:11 Modular Custodial Tech Enhancements  12:15 "Bootstrapping to Venture Funding"  14:19 "Understanding Different Investor Roles"  20:01 SaaS-Based 401(k) Pricing Model  21:19 "Growth, Revenue, and Retention Dynamics"  24:54 "Enterprise Layer Technology Solution"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/401go-secures-33-million-series-b  Dan Beck’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgbeck/  401GO’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/401go/  401GO’s Website: https://401go.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    27 min
  3. MAR 3

    Eikona Raises $5M Seed to Use GenAI Lifecyle Marketing to Sell More to Existing Customers

    Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, Ben Murray sits down with Nir Weingarten, co-founder and CEO of Eikona, to dive into the intersection of AI, lifecycle marketing, and the SaaS startup journey. Nir Weingarten shares his fascinating background in academia, AI research, and software development, and how that technical expertise fueled the birth of Eikona—a company aimed at transforming post-acquisition marketing through generative AI.  You’ll hear about the early days of Eikona, from ideation with his co-founder to securing $5.1 million in seed funding and finding that crucial product-market fit. Nir Weingarten breaks down how reinforcement learning and GenAI can disrupt traditional, manual approaches to email and SMS marketing, creating real ROI for brands with large customer bases.  Whether you’re interested in go-to-market strategies, startup fundraising lessons, or the future of AI adoption in SaaS, this conversation is packed with insights. Tune in to discover how Eikona is helping marketers unlock new value beyond customer acquisition and what’s top of mind for building the next wave of AI-powered growth.  Show Notes:   00:00 Lifecycle Marketing Revolution Explained  05:48 Social Media AI Disrupts Marketing  07:21 Mid-Market B2C Targeting Strategy  10:33 "GenAI Startup Journey"  14:00 "Fuzzy Autonomy in Marketing"  20:05 "The Right Kind of Stubborn"  23:17 "Building a Scalable Sales Funnel"  25:28 "Client Happiness Drives Success"  27:38 "AI Founder Insights & Metrics"  31:24 "Eikona.io: AI Resources & Networking"  Links:   SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eikona-raises-5-million-seed-round  Nir Weingarten’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-zvi-weingarten/  Eikona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eikonaio/  Eikona’s Website: https://www.eikona.io/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    32 min
  4. FEB 26

    Quanta Raises $20M to Automate Your Accounting Close

    Welcome to another episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast! Today, host Ben Murray sits down with Helen Hastings, founder and CEO of Quanta, an AI-powered accounting service and finance platform designed specifically for software and SaaS companies. In this conversation, Helen Hastings shares her unique journey from software engineer to founder, recounting her transition into the world of finance automation after building internal accounting systems at Affirm. She pulls back the curtain on Quanta’s innovative blend of both product and service, walking us through how her team leverages in-house technology and automation to offer full-service accounting and reporting for early-stage and growth-stage companies.  We delve into what sets Quanta apart—its proprietary general ledger, instant onboarding for startups, and a vision for real-time, intelligent financial insights without the typical growing pains of legacy systems. Ben Murray and Helen Hastings also talk candidly about fundraising lessons, the importance of storytelling in venture capital, and what’s ahead as Quanta gears up to launch a standalone software product. If you’re a founder, a SaaS finance leader, or just fascinated by the future of accounting tech, this episode is packed with firsthand insights you won’t want to miss.  Show Notes:   00:00 Engineers and Accountants: Kindred Spirits  03:28 Automated Accounting & Reporting Solution  08:18 "Growing with Our Customers"  10:28 Business Setup Time Variability  15:13 "The Power of Storytelling"  19:27 Flat-Rate AI Subscription Model  20:40 "Product Usage & NRR Focus"  23:26 "Find Helen at UseQuanta"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/quanta-raises-4-7-million-in-seed-round  Helen Hastings’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbhastings/  Quanta’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usequanta/  Quanta’s Website: https://www.usequanta.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    24 min
  5. FEB 19

    The Art of SaaS Acquisitions: Luca Cartechini on Metrics, Retention, and AI Innovation

    On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Luca Cartechini, co-founder and CEO of Shop Circle. With deep roots in equity research and venture capital across the European tech landscape, Luca Cartechini shares how his experiences led to the creation of Shop Circle—an innovative, long-term holding company that acquires and grows mission-critical, profitable SaaS businesses outside the traditional VC and PE model.  Listeners will get insider perspectives on the realities of scaling software companies in fragmented European markets, the metrics that matter most when evaluating SaaS acquisitions, and the evolving role of AI in operational excellence. Whether you’re a founder considering your next move or simply passionate about SaaS, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on building, buying, and holding vertical software companies for the long haul.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Challenges Scaling European Companies"  03:34 "ShopCircle: AI-Powered Software Platform"  08:51 "AI in Software Acquisitions"  12:06 AI's Role in Business Strategy  14:09 "Pricing, AI, and Value Strategy"  16:58 "Key Metrics for Business Acquisition"  22:28 "Operator-Focused, Long-Term Investment Approach"  25:13 Founder Missteps in Acquisition Process  29:28 Recurring vs. Usage-Based Revenue Analysis  31:51 "SaaS Revenue Analysis for ROI"  36:39 AI-Driven Efficiency and Expansion  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-raises-60-million-in-series-b  https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/shop-circle-extends-series-b-to-100-million  Luca Cartechini’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-cartechini/  Shop Circle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shop-circle/  Shop Circle’s Website: https://shopcircle.co/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    39 min
  6. FEB 12

    Stuut Raises $40M to Help CFOs Use AI Agents to Collect Cash Faster

    On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ben Winter, co-founder and COO at Stuut. Ben Winter brings a dynamic background in management consulting, design agencies, and executive leadership roles within scaling SaaS companies. He shares the story behind founding Stuut—an AI-powered platform designed to transform the order-to-cash process for businesses where working capital and collection efficiency are essential.  Ben Winter reveals how Stuut’s AI agents streamline everything from invoice communication to payment collection, targeting verticals like manufacturing, logistics, and medical devices that rely on fast cash cycles. The discussion delves into Stuut’s journey—from early customer pain points to rapid fundraising, the importance of founder–investor alignment, and their innovative approach to go-to-market and brand differentiation in the crowded finance technology space.  Listen in for actionable insights on SaaS metrics, building AI-driven solutions, and lessons learned in scaling an operationally efficient company—straight from a COO who’s at the forefront of fintech innovation.  Show Notes:  00:00 "Automating AR with AI"  05:19 "Optimizing Cash Flow for Growth"  07:11 Evolving CFO Strategies for Collections  12:34 "Delivering Value to Customers"  16:25 In-Person Impact and Clear Value  19:14 "Non-Traditional Marketing Strategies"  21:16 "Digital Coworkers for Collections Teams"  24:09 "AP & AR Strategy Insights"  29:57 "Scaling Efficiently with AI"  31:28 "Rethinking Team Structures Efficiently"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stuut-technologies-raises-29-5m-series-a  Ben Winter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengwinter/  Stuut’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stuut/  Stuut’s Website: https://www.stuut.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    33 min
  7. FEB 3

    Serial Founder Raises $2.5M to Find Leads in Your Inbox

    Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Vadim Rogovskiy, CEO and co-founder of Eve, an AI-powered sales enablement tool designed specifically for founders and small business owners. Vadim Rogovskiy shares his unique journey as a serial entrepreneur—from selling and exiting previous startups to launching Eve after discovering the challenges small businesses face managing leads without traditional CRMs.  Together, Ben Murray and Vadim Rogovskiy dive into Eve’s early days, its customer-first approach, the founding story, and how AI is transforming sales for SMBs. You’ll hear insights on fundraising in today’s fast-moving AI market, lessons learned across multiple ventures, and how grassroots, founder-led marketing is key in cutting through industry noise. Whether you’re scaling your SaaS startup or curious about AI’s impact on modern sales and revenue models, this episode is packed with real-world advice and thoughtful analysis on building and growing a successful tech company.  Let’s jump into the conversation!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Building EVE from Event Insights"  03:09 "Startup CRM Challenges and Demand"  08:59 "Sustainable Growth Over Hype"  10:46 "Prioritize IRL and Founder-Led Growth"  14:27 "Founder Discusses Early Fundraising Journey"  18:10 "Qualitative KPIs and User Growth"  20:53 "Achieving Product Market Fit"  Links:  SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/eve-raises-2-million-in-pre-seed-round  Vadim Rogovskiy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadim-rogovskiy/  Eve AI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joineveai/  Eve AI’s Website: https://joineve.ai/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    22 min
  8. JAN 29

    Tony Petrilli Bootstraps ViewTrade to Serve Financial Services Firms Globally

    Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In today's episode, Ben Murray sits down with Tony Petrilli, CEO of ViewTrade, to uncover the journey behind building a global fintech platform that’s redefining cross-border financial services. From writing code on early PCs to leading innovation at major institutions like Morgan Stanley and Citibank, Tony Petrilli shares how ViewTrade evolved from a brokerage into a full-stack SaaS provider serving 300 firms worldwide.  You'll hear candid insights about bootstrapping a complex product, the realities of scaling and global expansion, and the reasoning behind a customer-led, composable solution instead of a rigid, product-led approach. Plus, he reveals how ViewTrade balances profitability, growth, and innovation—including the strategic use of AI—and what’s next on the horizon as they target nine-digit growth.  Whether you’re a SaaS founder, finance exec, or just curious about how technology is transforming financial services, this episode is packed with valuable lessons, operational metrics, and entrepreneurial wisdom. Let’s dive in!  Show Notes:  00:00 "Turnkey Cross-Border Financial Solutions"  03:57 "Modernizing Investment with Embedded Solutions"  07:07 Revolutionizing Financial Firms' Efficiency  12:15 "Customer-Led Solutions Drive Inbound"  15:15 "Fintech Sustainability and Responsibility"  18:35 "Starting Small, Scaling Strategically"  19:47 "CEO's Profit Margin Focus"  22:33 "Building Leaders and Expanding Globally"  25:38 Global Expansion and Wealth Ventures  Links:  Tony Petrilli’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-tony-petrilli-a2b59825/  ViewTrade’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viewtrade-holding/  ViewTrade’s Website: https://www.viewtrade.com/  To learn more about Ben check out the links below:  Subscribe to Ben’s daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe  Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page  SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/  Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout  Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ben Murray, The SaaS CFO, talks all things SaaS.

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