SaaS ScaleUps – Pearls of Wisdom from Entrepreneurs is the go-to podcast for B2B SaaS tech founders looking to scale. Hosted by tech entrepreneur, founder, investor, and our executive chairman, John O’Connell, we dive into fundraising strategies, the power of AI in SaaS, and growth insights from top entrepreneurs. Whether you’re securing Series A funding or planning a successful exit, get actionable wisdom from those who’ve been there.
ScaleUp Group helps B2B SaaS tech scaleups secure Series A funding, co-invests alongside institutional investors and provides post-investment support. Each episode features successful tech entrepreneurs, who will share their inspiring stories, lessons learned (& shared), and advice that has helped them along their own journeys.
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Jump to a Podcast:
- Episode 1: David Williams, KAI Conversations: AI – Beyond the Hype
- Episode 2: Greg Wildisen, Panoram: AI – Beyond the Hype
- Episode 3: Simon Black, Lexical Labs: AI – Beyond the Hype
- Episode 4: Stuart Clarke, Blackdot Solutions: AI – Beyond the Hype
- Episode 5: Martin Neale, ICS.AI: AI – Beyond the Hype
- Episode 6: Behind the Raise: Inside Blackdot Solutions’ Funding Journey
- From investor prep to post-deal growth—lessons in trust, timing, and scaling smart.
- Stay tuned for upcoming episodes!
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Episode 1: AI – Beyond the Hype with David Williams, KAI Conversations
David Williams is the founder and CEO of KAI Conversations, the industry-leading Conversational Intelligence (CI) platform which uses AI to analyse and reveal the impact of human conversations, providing real-time, actionable insights that drive better outcomes in pharma and healthcare.
David has founded, invested in, built and sold consulting and SaaS technology businesses in the customer management space. He is passionate about using AI to transform the way organisations understand their customers and improve their interactions with them.
In this episode, John and David cut through the noise to explore the real-world impact of Generative AI. They break down how KAI is delivering measurable benefits to clients, the challenges and strategies of AI-driven sales tools in the pharmaceutical industry, and why AI should be seen as a co-pilot—enhancing human potential rather than replacing it. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or a business leader navigating digital transformation, this discussion is packed with valuable insights.
Episode 2: AI – Beyond the Hype with Greg Wildisen, Panoram
Greg Wildisen is the founder and CEO of Panoram, a leading GenAI software specialist for business and legal sectors. Panoram’s mission is to develop cutting-edge GenAI-powered solutions that enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and drive profitability.
By transforming how law firms and corporate legal departments operate, Panoram empowers them to deliver expertise seamlessly—anytime, anywhere.
In this podcast episode, John and Greg explore the transformative role of AI and generative AI in the legal industry, highlighting their potential to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance accuracy. Greg discusses the benefits of using multiple large language models (LLMs) to ensure the best fit for specific legal tasks. He also examines AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data, from document reviews to cybersecurity applications, and emphasises the importance of selecting scalable, cost-effective AI solutions tailored to client needs. Tune in to hear Greg’s insights on the future of AI in law and how firms can harness its power for greater efficiency and impact.
Episode 3: AI – Beyond the Hype with Simon Black, Lexical Labs
Simon Black is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Lexical Labs, the company behind Tiro—the world’s leading AI-powered contract review software.
With 25 years at a major law firm, primarily in Asia, Simon loved negotiating deals but grew frustrated with inefficiencies that wasted time and resources. Determined to drive change, he champions AI’s role in handling repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on strategic thinking, decision-making, and innovation.
In this episode, Simon joins John to explore how AI is transforming legal workflows, reducing costs, and making contract management more efficient. They discuss the opportunities and challenges of automation, from streamlining negotiations to addressing data security concerns. Packed with insights into the evolving legal tech landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of AI in law.
Episode 4: AI – Beyond the Hype with Stuart Clarke, Blackdot Solutions
Stuart Clarke is the CEO of Blackdot Solutions – the UK technology company behind Videris, the most powerful investigations software for fighting serious, organised and economic crimes.
A globally respected expert in investigations and cyber security, Stuart brings extensive experience in business leadership, consultancy, and operational intelligence. Blackdot’s mission is to empower investigators to use open-source intelligence (OSINT) for good, providing cutting-edge software to combat criminal activity effectively.
In this episode, Stuart and John explore the transformative role of generative AI in business intelligence and decision-making. They discuss how Blackdot leverages AI to unlock insights from open-source data, delivering tangible impact across investigative and compliance sectors. The conversation also covers data integration, the challenges faced by larger organisations with legacy systems, and why smaller, more agile companies are often better placed to seize the opportunities presented by AI.
Listen now to hear how AI is moving beyond the hype and delivering meaningful impact in the investigations space.
Episode 5: AI – Beyond the Hype with Martin Neale, ICS.AI
Martin Neale, is CEO and co-founder of ICS.AI, a company dedicated to revolutionising public sector services through innovative AI solutions.
Having bootstrapped ICS.AI with his pension, Martin took a bold personal leap to realise his vision of AI’s transformative potential. Recently recognised in Parliament as a Leader in Public Sector AI Innovation, ICS.AI is pioneering conversational AI as the new digital gateway for public services.
In this episode, Martin and John dive into how conversational AI is reshaping the public sector. Martin shares a compelling case study from Derby City Council, where an AI-powered voice platform delivered substantial cost savings and enhanced service with multilingual, high-deflection call handling. They also discuss AI’s rapid evolution, its impact on the workforce, and why human oversight remains crucial in critical decision-making.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation exploring the real-world benefits and challenges of AI in public service transformation.
Episode 6: Behind the Raise: Inside Blackdot Solutions’ Funding Journey
From investor prep to post-deal growth—lessons in trust, timing, and scaling smart.
Adam de Courcy Ling is the CEO of Blackdot Solutions – the UK technology company behind Videris, the most powerful investigations software for fighting serious, organised and economic crimes.
An experienced software sector investor and director, Adam was an investor and director in fintech software vendor Multifonds, sold in 2015 to Temenos AG, and lead investor and director at an artificial intelligence vendor, Expertmaker, sold in 2016 to eBay Inc.
Tune into this episode to hear Adam and John dive into the story behind Blackdot’s recent £4.7M Series A fundraise—led by Maven Capital Partners with support and co-investment by ScaleUp Group. They discuss the realities of navigating a complex investment journey, the importance of thorough preparation, strong advisory guidance, and managing due diligence with precision. The conversation highlights the benefits of involving multiple funds to validate valuation and market appetite, the critical role of building trust with global investors, and the need for transparency post-investment. Adam also shares how the raised funds are being used to scale Blackdot’s engineering capabilities, boost sales, and support international growth.
