Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast, where SaaS leaders and innovators share their stories and strategies. In today’s episode, the conversation focused on the unique challenges and opportunities facing startups and small businesses in Africa, particularly when it comes to accessing working capital and preparing financial data for investors.

A key theme that emerged was the entrepreneurial journey of Elana Laichena, founder and CEO of Flowt Intelligence. After navigating financing obstacles as a founder herself, Elana developed a SaaS platform that uses AI to transform messy, real-world financial records into clean, investor-ready insights. The discussion explored how Flowt helps climate-focused businesses unlock the capital they need while streamlining the often daunting due diligence process.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on SaaS metrics, the evolving investment landscape in Africa, and lessons learned from both operating and funding startups. If you’re interested in how technology can break down barriers and empower growth in emerging markets, don’t miss this episode.

Show Notes:

00:00 Float's financial intelligence platform

05:48 Understanding the competition in digital lending

07:45 Offering Flexible Business Credit

12:02 Pre-seed funding challenges in Africa

13:20 Funding challenges for African founders

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/flowt-raises-undisclosed-pre-seed/

https://techfundingevents.com/companies/flowt.africa

Elana Laichena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elanalaichena/

Flowt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowt-intelligence/home/

Flowt's Website: https://flowt.africa/

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

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, the conversation focused on the fast-changing world of software builds and how AI is transforming the SaaS landscape. The discussion explored how Hermetiq, co-founded by CEO Jake Newfield, is addressing a new bottleneck for engineering teams—not code creation, but the complexities of compiling, testing, and deploying at scale.

One concept discussed was the need for deeper observability and intelligence around Bazel builds, leading Hermetiq to develop a "Datadog for Bazel" platform that helps developers identify and fix build issues efficiently. With major AI labs already leveraging this technology, the episode highlights the rapidly expanding demand for smarter build infrastructure.

Several points were raised around early-stage SaaS company building, from fundraising and pricing challenges to the importance of conference outreach and direct engagement. Listen in for insights on navigating growth in a market where innovation moves at lightning speed.

Show Notes:

00:00 Hermetic automates software build process

04:15 Solving build issues for companies

06:20 Starting up with direct outreach

10:06 Big AI Lab Using Hermetiq

12:56 Wrapping up with contact info

Links:

SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/hermetiq-raises-2-2m-seed/

Jake Newfield's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakenewfield/

Hermetiq's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hermetiq/

Hermetiq's Website: https://www.hermetiq.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

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast. In this episode, the conversation focused on the intersection of AI, finance, and SaaS with Zach Marks, co-founder and CEO of Jia. The discussion explored Zach’s journey from working with microfinance in emerging markets to building AI-powered financial solutions that address the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses. Several points were raised, including Jia’s experience in leveraging AI for underwriting, the evolution of the company’s product offerings, the impact of technology on expanding access to credit, and the nuances of pricing and scaling in the rapidly changing world of fintech. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how AI, SaaS metrics, and a mission-driven approach are transforming financial operations for SMBs across the globe.

Show Notes:

00:00 Discovering microfinance and joining Tala

03:30 AI solutions for small businesses

08:01 Using AI for credit analysis

11:18 Business model and SME solutions

15:37 Future of AI in finance

18:27 Discussing risk strategies in lending

21:51 AI enhancing financial service delivery

23:34 Company founding and HQ details

Links:

SaaS Fundrasing Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/jia-raises-3m-seed/

Zach Marks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmarks/

Jia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jiaxyz/

Jia's Website: https://jia.xyz/

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