SaaStr 818: Anthropic, Cursor, Fal & Bessemer: The Realities of Scaling AI

SaaStr 818: Anthropic, Cursor, Fal & Bessemer: The Realities of Scaling AI

Author: SaaStr September 5, 2025 Duration: 30:57

SaaStr 818: Anthropic, Cursor, Fal & Bessemer: The Realities of Scaling AI

Join Talia Goldberg (Bessemer Venture Partners), Kelly Loftus (Anthropic), Jacob Jackson (Cursor), and Gorkem Yurtseven (FaL - Feautres and Labels) as they discuss the evolving landscape of AI, business models, metrics, and the future of generative media.

 00:00 - Introduction & Panelist Bios
01:19 - How AI Companies Are Changing Metrics
02:20 - The New Economics: Margins, Growth, and Pricing
04:41 - Usage-Based Models & The Cost to Serve
06:31 - The Impact of Expensive Models on Margins
08:00 - Go-To-Market Team Structures at Anthropic
09:36 - Scaling Sales Teams & The Quota Debate
12:01 - Hiring and Team Building Tactics
14:47 - How AI Is Used Internally at These Companies
17:47 - Key Decisions & Pivots in Company Journeys
20:07 - Collaboration vs. Competition: Cursor & Anthropic
22:23 - Measuring Productivity Gains from AI
24:26 - The Metrics That Matter Most
27:16 - Final Thoughts & Audience Q&A

 

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If you're serious about B2B and AI, you need to be in London this December 2nd and 3rd.
 
SaaStr AI London is bringing together more than 2,000 leaders and founders for two days of practical advice on scaling into the new year. 
 
We'll have speakers flying in from OpenAI, Wiz, Clay, Intercom, and all your favorite SaaS companies, including yours truly with Harry Stebbings for a live 20VC podcast. It'll be fun, and it's all in the heart of London. 
 
Don't miss out: get your tickets with my exclusive discount by going to podcast.saastrlondon.com
 
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Hey everybody, the biggest B2B + AI event of the year will be back - SaaStr AI in the SF Bay Area, aka the SaaStr Annual, will be back in May 2026. 
 
With 68% VP-level and above, 36% CEOs and founders and a growing 25% AI-first professional, this is the very best of the best S-tier attendees and decision makers that come to SaaStr each year.  
 
But here's the reality, folks: the longer you wait, the higher ticket prices can get. Early bird tickets are available now, but once they're gone, you'll pay hundreds more so don't wait. 
 
Lock in your spot today by going to podcast podcast.saastrannual.com to get my exclusive discount SaaStr AI SF 2026. We'll see you there.

Tune into The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors for direct conversations with the people building and funding the software-as-a-service industry. This isn't about abstract theory; it's the practical, often hard-won wisdom from prominent founders and seasoned investors who have navigated the path themselves. Each episode digs into the specific mechanics of scaling a SaaS business, focusing on the critical journey from zero to one hundred million dollars in annual recurring revenue. You'll hear founders break down what actually worked when it came to hiring key talent, entering new markets, and managing the immense pressure of hyper-growth. From the investor side, the discussions reveal how top venture capitalists evaluate potential, what metrics truly matter beyond the pitch deck, and their perspectives on sustainable company culture. Hosted by SaaStr, this podcast serves as an ongoing masterclass for operators and entrepreneurs who prefer learning through candid stories and detailed strategies rather than generic advice. The dialogue is always grounded in the fierce realities of the competitive tech landscape, making every interview a source of actionable insights you can apply to your own challenges.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors
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