AI, Venture Capital, and the Future of SaaS: What Startup Founders Need to Know

<p>What does <strong>AI really mean for SaaS companies and startup founders?</strong> And why has <strong>venture capital suddenly cooled on SaaS funding?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <strong>Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side</strong>, Melissa Widner speaks with <strong>Marc Verissimo</strong>, Chair of Lighter Capital and former Chief Risk Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, about the economic forces shaping the future of SaaS, startup funding, and venture capital.</p><p>Marc explains how he analyzes the economy—from <strong>10-year bond yields and labor participation to productivity growth and political risk</strong>—and what founders should actually pay attention to when planning for the next few years. </p><p>The discussion explores how <strong>AI will change the SaaS ecosystem</strong>, why SaaS companies remain foundational because they generate the data AI relies on, and why recent <strong>venture capital pullbacks from SaaS may be cyclical rather than permanent</strong>. </p><p>They also discuss <strong>tariffs, geopolitical shifts, and regulatory volatility</strong>, and how these factors impact startup growth, funding availability, and long-term economic outlook.</p><p>If you&#39;re building a SaaS company or navigating today’s <strong>startup funding environment</strong>, this episode offers practical insights on <strong>risk management, capital strategy, and economic trends</strong> every founder should understand.</p>