Latest news with #Hubspot
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eight months in, Swedish unicorn Lovable crosses the $100M ARR milestone
Less than a week after it became Europe's latest unicorn, Swedish vibe coding startup Lovable is now also a centaur — a company with more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Lovable took only eight months since its launch to get here, thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of its AI-powered website and app builder. The startup claims it now has more than 2.3 million active users, and last reported 180,000 paying subscribers. With only 45 full-time employees, and 14 open positions on its careers page, that makes for an impressive employee-to-revenue ratio. Subscriptions seem to be driving the bulk of Lovable's revenue, but the company isn't prioritizing sales at all costs. Shortly after Lovable said it had reached ARR of $75 million in June, its CEO Anton Osika wrote on X that Lovable had 'lost $1.5 million ARR in a single day' because it had moved all users on its Team tier to its less expensive Pro tier, which now also accommodates collaboration. The Teams plan is now being replaced by a Business tier, which sits between the Pro and custom Enterprise offerings. The new plan offers business-focused features such as self-serve, Single Sign-On (SSO), templates, private projects that won't be visible to the entire team, and the option to opt-out from having your data be used for training. Lovable already has a slate of large customers like Klarna, Hubspot and Photoroom, but there are still notable barriers and concerns around vibe coding among enterprises — where the big money is. This new tier could help Lovable find intermediary use cases and drive more businesses to use its tools for more than prototyping, which is what the startup says most people use it for today. This has been one focus for the company, and Osika recently said that businesses were driving significant revenue from projects built with Lovable. The startup says more than 10 million projects have been created on Lovable to date. The $100 million ARR club isn't large, especially in Europe, but it is growing thanks to tailwinds from all things AI. In April, Nvidia-backed B2B AI video platform Synthesia, also surpassed that milestone — though it was founded in 2017, not late 2024. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Reciprocity Gap: Why Mutual Engagement On LinkedIn Matters
Erick Grau, former sound engineer-turned-tech exec. Founder of Chibitek. Passionate about people-first IT and scaling AI with purpose. LinkedIn is full of professionals sharing wins, insights and ideas, but have the relationships you build there ever felt one-sided? I've noticed that many entrepreneurs and people building their presence from the ground up are actively supporting others—liking, commenting, even reposting content—but then they don't receive the same support in return. This is not just about feeling overlooked; this lack of reciprocity can weaken the greater business community, make social interactions feel transactional and have a real impact on the visibility and performance of content. The Consequences Of Engagement According to HootSuite's analysis, when a post is published on LinkedIn, it's initially shown to a small segment of the user's network. If this group engages within a short timeframe through likes, comments or shares, the platform deems the content valuable and extends its reach to a broader audience. That early response can make or break your post's reach. As LinkedIn strategist Carol Kaemmerer puts it, "Early interaction prompts the algorithm to show your content to a wider audience.' This means that early engagement is crucial for your content to gain traction. As the Hubspot analysis explains, posts that receive meaningful interactions within the first hour are more likely to reach a broader audience. And not all interactions are created equal: Comments, especially those the algorithm considers thoughtful, carry more weight than likes for boosting a post's visibility. When someone takes the time to engage with a post, it's a sign they see value in that content and the person behind it. But if that support isn't returned, the relationship becomes one-sided—and the opportunity to build a genuine community is lost. When members of a network consistently engage with each other's content, on the other hand, everyone gains greater visibility. This kind of mutual engagement is especially powerful for entrepreneurs and professionals with smaller audiences. By actively lifting one another up, we can build stronger networks and a healthier professional community. We also create more opportunities for ourselves and others. The Value Of Reciprocity While there is a lot of advice about algorithms and content hacks out there, more needs to be said about one of the simplest growth strategies: supporting your actual community. Many guides on online networking focus on content creation and personal branding but overlook the fundamental principle of mutual support. A Forbes Communications Council article puts it well: 'These go-givers are no longer focusing on a transactional approach, but rather investing time and energy into mastering the art of social reciprocity.' As the article notes, not supporting others in your industry perpetuates a cycle where engagement becomes transactional rather than relational. With LinkedIn surpassing one billion users nearly two years ago, the competition for attention is more intense than ever. The average engagement rate across industries remains low, as well—hovering around 0.41% for the median brand, according to the LinkedIn Benchmark Report by Rival IQ. These numbers reinforce just how critical mutual support can be in helping valuable content from people in your network and your business community cut through the noise. How To Change The Culture Let's shift the paradigm. Here are actionable steps to foster a culture of reciprocity: 1. Engage authentically. Take the time to read and thoughtfully comment on your connections' posts. Genuine engagement fosters deeper relationships. 2. Share the spotlight. Repost content from your network, giving credit where it's due. This not only supports others but also diversifies your content. 3. Educate and encourage. Share insights about online networking best practices with your network. Awareness can lead to more intentional engagement. 4. Lead by example. Consistently practice reciprocity. Your actions can inspire others to do the same. Reciprocity shouldn't be an afterthought; it should be the cornerstone of our interactions. Actively supporting each other not only enhances individual visibility but also strengthens the professional community. Committing to a culture of mutual engagement also ensures everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It's simple: Lift up those who lift you. Because when we rise together, everyone wins. Building each other up and showing up for those who show up for us are the best ways to create a community where engagement is meaningful, not just metrics-driven. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Fast Company
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
From start-up to scale-up: Strategies for growth
Starting a business is one of the most rewarding and high-stakes journeys an entrepreneur can undertake. It's a well-known statistic that 90% of startups fail, with many never making it past their first year. But why? According to CB Insights, the leading causes of failure include running out of cash, an inability to raise new capital, a lack of market demand, and getting out-competed. Launching a business is no small feat, but the hurdles don't end once it's off the ground. A whole new set of challenges emerges as companies transition into their next phase of growth. Brian Halligan, Hubspot co-founder, has a philosophy he uses to describe businesses that are maturing beyond the start-up stage and stepping into a new chapter of expansion: he calls these companies scale-ups. While a startup is typically focused on finding product-market fit and building a foundation, a scale-up company has achieved that initial validation and is now focused on growth—expanding its customer base, operations, and revenues. This scale-up phase is a crucial inflection point in a company's journey. The ability to scale effectively often separates the small percentage of businesses that make a lasting impact from the majority that stall out. Transitioning into a scale-up phase means shifting from scrappy survival to strategic growth, and that requires a different mindset, different systems, and a different approach to leadership. DRIVING SUSTAINABLE, LONG-TERM GROWTH WITH SCALABLE PROCESSES Sustainable growth starts with clarity: clear priorities, a defined mission, and an unwavering focus on what truly moves the needle. Scaling businesses are often bombarded with opportunities that seem promising but can easily become distractions. Instead of saying yes all the time, successful leaders understand the power of strategic prioritization (hint: saying 'no' is just as important as saying 'yes'). For example, doubling down on key customer segments or continuously refining your core product delivers far more value than stretching resources too thin across multiple pursuits. Sustainable growth isn't just about scaling fast; it's about scaling smart—making every decision with the long-term resilience of the business in mind. As your company grows, so does operational complexity. What worked for a five-person team won't scale to fifty, let alone 500. To avoid bottlenecks and inefficiencies, growth must be supported by strong, scalable processes. My leadership team and I are prioritizing two critical areas this year: documentation and automation. We're ensuring repeatable workflows are well-documented so that new team members have a clear roadmap to follow. At the same time, we're investing in automation tools to handle repetitive tasks, freeing our team to focus on higher-priority, more complex initiatives. These changes weren't just about efficiency. It was about preparing the company to scale without losing speed. Scaling shouldn't feel like a house of cards ready to topple. With strong operational foundations, you can build a business that adapts and grows sustainably. MAINTAINING COMPANY CULTURE AND CORE VALUES Scaling doesn't just test your business model—it tests your company culture. Rapid hiring, if not managed carefully, can dilute the values that made your startup a great place to work in the first place. Culture isn't just a set of core values on your website, it's how decisions are made, how teams collaborate, and how work gets done every day. To protect our culture, we take deliberate steps during periods of fast growth. Every hiring decision we make is guided not only by skills and experience but also by alignment with our core values. We invest in leadership training, host annual events to bring the entire company together, and run regular engagement surveys to ensure we're fostering a strong, connected workforce, despite having employees across the world. Scaling should never feel like a choice between growth and culture. There is no universal right or wrong way to maintain a great company culture, but intentionality is key. A strong team aligned with your mission is critical to long-term success. STAYING AGILE IN A DYNAMIC MARKET Perhaps the most underestimated strength a company can have is agility. Market conditions shift, customer needs evolve, and competition intensifies as you grow. Companies that succeed in scaling are those that remain agile, constantly refining their product offerings and optimizing for product-market fit. According to Halligan, agility doesn't mean changing direction at the first sign of turbulence, but having the discipline to adapt intelligently when necessary. I often remind our leadership team that adaptability and discipline must go hand in hand. During economic shifts, reassessing product strategy and focusing on core offerings that customers rely on most can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving. After all, product-market fit should already be established in the startup phase—scaling should now focus on optimizing for product-market scale (i.e., ensuring ease of use with more efficient implementation). At the same time, encouraging experimentation and allowing teams to test new ideas quickly is crucial for revenue growth and scaling product-market fit. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between doubling down and pivoting. There's no perfect formula—mistakes will be made. But staying curious, learning from peers and mentors, and drawing insights from those who have scaled before you can help make educated, informed decisions and keep your company agile in an unpredictable economic environment. LOOKING AHEAD The transition from start-up to scale-up isn't easy, but that makes it so rewarding. By relentlessly focusing on these core tenets, many of which Halligan references as part of his scale-up strategy— scalable processes, maintaining a strong team culture, and adaptability in a changing market—you're not just growing a company, you're building a foundation for long-term success.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cantor starts coverage on software sector; names Klaviyo, Hubspot, Q2 top picks
-- Cantor Fitzgerald starts coverage on the application software sector, with AI a major catalyst that is set to fuel long-term growth across the group. Customer-facing platforms were highlighted as early leaders, with Cantor naming Hubspot, Klaviyo (NYSE:KVYO) and Q2 Holdings (NYSE:QTWO) among its top picks. Analysts assigned an Overweight rating and $775 price target to Hubspot, implying 31% upside. Klaviyo also received an Overweight and a $48 price target, implying 41% upside. Q2 Holdings was rated Overweight with a $110 target, or 26% upside. The brokerage said AI is transitioning software beyond traditional per-seat tools into systems increasingly centered on outcomes and usage-based pricing. This shift is unlocking productivity gains across key business functions such as development, sales, HR, finance, and supply chain. Cantor said vendors that effectively drive user adoption and workflow automation will benefit from "data gravity," reinforcing their competitive positions. It is particularly bullish on companies that are already leveraging AI to boost usage, expand capabilities, and monetize without adding friction. Cantor noted that while valuations have rebounded since the early April lows, with the IGV software index up 29% since April 8, they remain only slightly above historical averages. The firm sees room for further upside, arguing that AI is a more powerful and sustainable driver than pandemic-era remote work trends. 'We have a generally bullish outlook for Software at the current juncture,' analysts at Cantor said citing improving free cash flow, profitability, and more realistic growth expectations as further support for upside in software stocks. Related articles Cantor starts coverage on software sector; names Klaviyo, Hubspot, Q2 top picks German auto industry risks production halts over Chinese rare earth export restric BofA survey shows softer software spending outlook, AI focus shifts Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Check out the 14-slide pitch deck agentic AI startup Sweep used to raise $22.5 million from Insight Partners
Sweep secured a $22.5 million Series B to enhance its agentic AI platform for businesses. Sweep's platform automates workflows in Salesforce and Hubspot for go-to-market teams. It gave BI the 14-slide pitch deck used to secure the fresh funding. A New York startup that's developed an agentic AI to help companies carry out their go-to-market operations has just raised $22.5 million in a Series B round led by Insight Partners. Sweep's AI automates go-to-market workflows that employees would otherwise do manually on customer relationship management platforms Salesforce and Hubspot. The startup embeds its AI platform directly into Salesforce and Hubspot. Its AI can update Salesforce records, offer project pipeline updates by creating real-time alerts on Slack, and monitor and gather data across documents. The startup, which launched in 2021, offered a tiered subscription model, with tiers based on the level of intelligence and automation that its customers need. Clients include Wix, HR startup HiBob, and NBC Sports. Sweep's cofounder and CEO, Ido Gaver, told Business Insider the round followed "strong revenue and customer growth." "In VC land, everyone's talking about agentic AI, but under the surface, there's growing skepticism. Investors are asking: Is this real? Is it hype? Does it actually deliver value? Most companies claim to be agentic, but very few can show it makes a difference for customers," he said in an interview. The Series B was led by software investment giant Insight Partners. Bessemer Venture Partners also participated. "Agentic AI is the next foundational shift in enterprise software, and Sweep is helping define what that looks like," said Jeff Horing, managing director at Insight Partners, in a statement accompanying the announcement of the fundraise. The startup will use the money to expand its go-to-market team and grow its agentic layer across platforms like Marketo, Gaver told BI. Check out the 14-slide pitch deck used to secure the fresh funding. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
