How AI is reshaping SaaS product and pricing, with Nue CEO Mark Walker

Mark Walker (0:02)

Speed is the ultimate feature now, right? Think about it in your products, think about it in your integrators, the people who work with you to help you roll out technology for your company, think about the technology that you require for your company. OpenAI went live with us in eight weeks, like multi-billion dollars, multiple jurisdictions, multiple currencies, multiple product lines, multiple teams, eight weeks, right? And that says an awful lot about Keith Jones and the team over at Sella and the team over there and their incredible execution culture.

Alex Theuma (0:31)

Welcome to The SaaS Revolution Show, a podcast by SaaStock. Here we interview SaaS founders from around the world who've been there and done that. They share the ins and outs of how they built their businesses, their operations, their part for securing investment and more. Our mission with the podcast is to help you, the founder, learn how to scale your SaaS, maintain your wellbeing and navigate the complexities of this ever-changing industry. I'm your host, Alex Theuma, and together we'll explore the good, the bad and the ugly in the journey to SaaS success. Ready to connect directly with AI and B2B software decision makers who need solutions like yours. This April, SaaStock USA is home to Hosted Meetings, a performance-based sponsorship that puts you face-to-face with qualified AI and B2B software founders and C-suite executives who want to meet you by packages of pre-scheduled 15-minute conversations with buyers who've opted in to meeting you. And the best part is you only pay for meetings that actually happen. It's event sponsorship built for results. Connect with the decision-makers who matter. Secure your hosted meetings at sassdocusa.com/hostedmeetups.

All right, welcome back to The SaaS Revolution Show. I am your host, Alex Theuma, CEO, founder of SaaStock, also general partner of Backfuture Ventures. Delighted to be joined today by Mark Walker, who is the CEO of New. How are you doing, Mark?

Mark Walker (2:17)

Hey, Alex. I am great. Thanks for having me on the show.

Alex Theuma (2:19)

Good to have you on. Where are you calling in from, Mark?

Mark Walker (2:22)

Today I am at my home just outside of Toronto. Company is based in California. We can talk more about that later.

Alex Theuma (2:28)

Okay.

Mark Walker (2:29)

Very good.

Alex Theuma (2:29)

Yeah, well, actually, maybe I will just jump into that now. Company is in California. You are in Toronto. That's where home is. Is the company remote, so a hybrid?

How do you operate that? What does that look like?

Mark Walker (2:48)

Because we have people all over the world and all over North America, we are somewhat hybrid, right? So, I mean, we are moving so fast that the time together is something we really prioritize. So we have an office in Toronto, which I am going to right after this. We have an office in San Mateo, and then we have teams in Calgary, in Chicago, in New York, although it appears all the New Yorkers are moving to Colorado for some reason. But anyway, not all of them, there's some great people still in New York. But we work really hard to get people together.

And so there's a lot of travel, but also a lot of socializing and good teamwork time.

Alex Theuma (3:36)

Looking at your profile, Mark, and in the email before we book this, you're a serial entrepreneur, you're doing it again at that new. I'm an entrepreneur, but on my first business, 10 years in, but on my first business.

It takes a lot out of you. It's tough being a CEO, it's tough being a founder. I always feel like if and when the time comes in the future, feels like I'll need a really long break, I'll be mad to consider going again. But you do, you see it. I mean, it's obviously present with yourself, right? I don't know if it's sort of third or fourth time. But most entrepreneurs that I know that have sold their businesses over the last two years have taken a little time out, a couple of months, and then they're looking for the next thing. Why is that? And why is it for you personally?

Mark Walker (4:29)

I think the attraction is the people you get to work with. Like you get to do, it's like basically like, imagine, you know, you make it to the Premier League or you make it the NFL, or you make it to any elite level, right? And, or even frankly, you know, to the, to the, you know, the championship and the, and the leagues below that. And you then get the opportunity, or somebody says, okay, well, now you've done really well and you won the championships. Why don't you just stop, right?