Essential Metrics: 9 SaaS Metrics Every Founder Should Track
Are you a SaaS founder wondering if your startup is truly on the path to success? In this episode of Bootstrapped, The Lighter Side, Melissa Widner, CEO of Lighter Capital, breaks down the nine most important metrics every founder should track to measure growth, efficiency, and long-term viability. From Burn Multiple and the Rule of 40 to AI-Adjusted Gross Margins, Melissa explains what each metric means, why it matters, and how to use them to impress investors and guide your business to sustainable success. Whether you’re raising capital or aiming for a successful exit, tune in for practical advice and actionable insights to help your SaaS company thrive—without giving up ownership or control.
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Funding Strategies: Combining Non-Dilutive Funding With VC
In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, host Melissa Widner—CEO of Lighter Capital —dives into the powerful strategy of combining non-dilutive funding with venture capital. Discover how founders are using this hybrid approach to fuel growth, strengthen their numbers, and negotiate better VC terms—without giving up ownership or control. Hear real-world examples, learn the pros and cons of different funding paths, and get practical tips to help your SaaS startup scale faster and smarter. Whether you’re just starting out or gearing up for your next round, this episode will help you unlock new options for your company’s success.
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Is Now the Right Time to Sell Your SaaS Company? Insights on Valuation, Buyers, and the M&A Process
In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, host Melissa is joined by Gaurav Bhasin (Managing Director, Allied Advisers) and Colin McNeil (M&A Tech Lead Partner, EY) to discuss one of the most pressing questions for SaaS founders: Is now the right time to sell your company? Drawing on over 40 years of combined experience, Gaurav and Colin share their perspectives on current SaaS company valuations, the differences between strategic and private equity buyers, and the importance of running a competitive sale process. They offer practical advice on preparing your business for a successful exit, managing inbound interest, and maximizing value through partnerships and preparation. Whether you’re bootstrapped or VC-backed, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders considering an M&A event.Founders wishing to learn more can download free resources from Allied Advisers on how to prepare their bootstrapped company for an exit.
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From Call Center to CEO: Steve Monterroso on Scaling Sales & Culture
From call center to CEO: In this episode of Bootstrapped, The Lighter Side, Steve Monterroso, CEO of ShareVault, shares his journey into tech, lessons on founder-led sales, making the right first sales hire, and scaling culture as a “re-founder.” He also dives into how ShareVault helps companies accelerate M&A, fundraising, and due diligence while staying deal-ready.
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Tariffs, Tech, and Turbulence: Insights from SVB's former Chief Risk Officer
In this special episode, Melissa Widner sits down with Marc Verissimo, Chairman of Lighter Capital and former Chief Risk Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, to unpack how tariffs, market turbulence, and a shifting economic landscape may reshape the SaaS world. With Marc's decades of banking and finance expertise, he shares practical insights that SaaS founders will want to know for how to navigate a changing investment climate successfully.
About Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side - The Podcast For B2B SaaS Founders
Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side shares fresh ideas ambitious B2B SaaS founders can use to build and scale their businesses while maintaining ownership and control. We explore essential topics like growth strategies, runway management, and innovative capital-raising methods. We also have timely discussions on current events impacting startups and provide insights from in-depth conversations with successful bootstrapped entrepreneurs.
Listen to Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side - The Podcast For B2B SaaS Founders, Lex Fridman Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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