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Highlights

 

Welcome to another episode of Unicorn Builders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Chen Amit, CEO & Co-Founder of Tipalti, a finance automation platform that has raised over $8 Billion in funding.

Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:

  • Founding Journey: Chen founded Tipalti in 2010 after identifying significant pain points in payment processes for ad networks. Initially, it was meant to be a side project, but it quickly grew into a substantial business.
  • Early Customer Validation: The initial customers were ad networks facing severe payment issues. Tipalti’s early adoption by these companies, including Seeking Alpha, validated the need for a comprehensive solution.
  • Product Market Fit: Chen emphasized the importance of focusing on the CFO’s pain points rather than just payment mechanics. This customer-centric approach led to strong product market fit and set the foundation for Tipalti’s success.
  • Evolution to Mid-Market Focus: Tipalti’s focus shifted to the mid-market, which presented a lucrative yet challenging segment. The company adapted its product to meet the complex needs of mid-market finance teams.
  • Scalable Sales Organization: The company evolved its sales approach from founder-led sales to building a robust, scalable sales organization. This included hiring leaders capable of creating effective enablement programs and managing large sales teams.
  • Continued Growth and Vision: With a clear vision and strategy, Tipalti aims to capture a significant portion of the $100 billion mid-market finance automation category. The company continues to innovate and expand its product offerings.

 

Actionable
Takeaways

Prioritize Product Market Fit:

Ensure your product addresses a significant pain point for your target customers. Continuous validation and adaptation are crucial for long-term success.

Engage Early Adopters:

Find entrepreneurial customers willing to work with startups. Their feedback and support can be invaluable in refining your product and gaining early traction.

Focus on the Right Market:

Identifying and focusing on the right market segment, such as the mid-market for Tipalti, can create a strong competitive advantage and drive growth.

Build a Scalable Sales Organization:

As your company grows, invest in building a scalable sales organization with effective enablement programs and processes to manage larger teams.

Trust Your Gut:

Make decisions based on your deep understanding of the market and your product. Trust your instincts, especially when faced with critical choices that can impact the company's direction.