Tariffs, Tech, and Turbulence: Insights from SVB's former Chief Risk Officer

Tariffs, Tech, and Turbulence: Insights from SVB's former Chief Risk Officer

Author: Lighter Capital - We Help Startups Grow May 7, 2025 Duration: 19:43

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.



For founders who've chosen to build their B2B software companies without giving up the reins, Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side offers a necessary conversation. This isn't about chasing venture capital at all costs; it's a practical dialogue focused on sustainable growth and creative problem-solving. You'll hear specific tactics for extending your runway, refining your sales process, and navigating the unique challenges of scaling a product-led business entirely on your own terms. Each episode digs into the real mechanics of founder-led growth, from managing cash flow in uncertain times to exploring alternative funding avenues that don't require sacrificing equity. The podcast regularly features founders who have walked this path successfully, sharing their unvarnished stories and hard-won lessons. It’s a resource for those moments when you need a blend of strategic advice and genuine camaraderie, reminding you that building a substantial, independent company is not just a dream but a viable, deliberate path. Tune in for honest discussions that cut through the noise of the startup world, brought to you by Lighter Capital, a team dedicated to helping startups grow.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 37

Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side - The Podcast For B2B SaaS Founders
Podcast Episodes
Spencer Lee from Telin, a unique telecom company. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:41
Host Melissa Widner, CEO of Lighter Capital, is joined by Spencer Lee from Telin, a unique telecom company, to tell his story of how he grew his startup using non-dilutive funding.
Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:31
Introducing Bootstrapped : The Lighter Side. Lighter Capital CEO Melissa Widner gets insights from various CEOs and their entrepreneurial journies with growing their companies without selling equity or raising capital th…