Shows
GTM VaultHow GEO Makes AI the New Gatekeeper with Jason PatelIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta speaks with Jason Patel, co-founder and CEO of Open Forge AI, about why generative engines are becoming the new gatekeepers of discovery. We dig into how GEO, Generative Engine Optimization, reshapes brand visibility inside AI answers and how LLMs interpret companies through entities, knowledge graphs, and machine-readable content.Jason breaks down the three-part GEO system behind recall in generative engines, the role of structured data and third-party citations, and why visibility is shifting from ranking in blue links to being selected as the answer. We also explore how...
2025-11-2342 minGTM VaultThe Secret Pattern Behind Predictable Revenue Engines with Amber BroonerIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta unpacks the hidden pattern behind companies that scale predictably. We break down why clarity, alignment and operating rhythm beat raw activity, and how elite CROs create systems where execution becomes consistent across Marketing, Sales and Customer Success. Amber reveals her AAA diagnostic for the first 30 to 60 days, how to remove friction from fast-moving GTM engines and why industry-focused selling creates repeatable outcomes at scale.Guest Amber Brooner of XTEL shares the frameworks she has used across SAP, Salesforce, PagerDuty and Informatica to lead global GTM teams through transformation...
2025-11-1614 minGTM VaultPredictive Enablement = More Revenue with Christina BradyIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta explores how predictive enablement becomes the hidden engine behind scalable revenue teams. We dig into frameworks that align marketing, sales, and customer success—covering the shift from reactive training to forward-looking skill-flows, how revenue ops becomes an intelligence layer, and why enabling your team predictively isn’t optional—it’s the lever for growth in 2025.Guest Christina Brady of Luster walks through how her GTM system transforms pipeline performance with real numbers, drills into the roles that matter (and the ones that cost), and shows how to convert enableme...
2025-11-0939 minGTM VaultThe CRO Playbook with Michele ShepardIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta speaks with Michele Shepard - Chief Revenue Officer at Emburse - about scaling predictive revenue systems and turning AI into an intelligence layer for enterprise growth.Michele shares her frameworks for building repeatable GTM systems that align people, process, and technology - including the 30-60 Framework for new CROs, the Opportunity Scorecard, and how to unify GTM, Product, and Engineering around measurable, predictable growth.We explore how Emburse is redefining finance through AI-powered Expense Intelligence, where finance, travel, and accounts payable shift from reactive workflows to...
2025-10-2648 minGTM VaultAI That Acts with Harsha GaddipatiIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta speaks with Harsha Gaddipati — founder & CEO of Slashy.ai (YC S25) — about building AI that connects reasoning with real-world execution.We explore how Slashy’s agents automate complex workflows across sales, marketing, and operations — turning intent into action without human handoffs. Harsha shares his framework for “AI that does,” insights into agent coordination, and why the next era of GTM will be defined by tools that can think and act.Sponsored by ZoomInfo — GTM Intelligence that automates outreach, triggers plays, and turns signals into revenue. Learn more at zoominfo.co...
2025-10-1215 minGTM VaultCutting Months off Clinical Trials with Jin KimIn this episode of GTM Vault, host Rick Koleta speaks with Jin Kim, founder & CEO of Miracle — a platform built to bring operational transparency, real-time tracking, and unified data integration to clinical trials.Miracle helps biopharma teams break down data silos, forecast enrollment, monitor sites live, and ensure accountability across vendors and stakeholders — all while maintaining compliance. Discover how this technology is helping cut months off trial timelines and what the future holds with AI in clinical operations.Sponsored by ZoomInfo — GTM Intelligence that automates outreach, triggers plays, and turns signals into revenue. Learn more at zoo...
2025-09-2730 minGTM VaultResolution-First AI: Replacing Bloated Support Teams with Rafael BroshiCustomer support is broken — and reply-only bots aren’t enough. In this episode, Rick Koleta sits down with Rafael Broshi, co-founder and CEO of Notch, to unpack how resolution-first AI agents are transforming CX. Unlike traditional chatbots or GPT wrappers, Notch agents actually resolve issues end-to-end, delivering 40x faster response times, 80 percent lower cost-to-serve, and measurable lifts in CSAT and conversion.Rafael explains why FAQ bots cap at 70 to 80 percent accuracy, how agentic architectures combine deterministic rules with LLMs, and what customer support orgs will look like by 2027 when autonomous agents go mainstream. He also shares a case...
2025-09-1229 minGTM VaultThe AI Co-Founder: Building Businesses with Agents with Ben CollinsIn this episode of GTM Vault, Ben Collins, co-founder and CEO of Woz (YC Winter ’25), reveals how AI agents are replacing the need for technical co-founders—launching software businesses in days, not months. Ben shares the story behind Woz, explains how AI-native tools mimic engineering and product teams, and why the human “last mile” remains critical for building trust. He also explores how AI shifts GTM strategy, redefines venture capital, and sketches a bold vision for autonomous company creation by 2030. Perfect for founders, operators, and investors navigating the future of AI-enabled entrepreneurship.Sponsored by ZoomInfo — GTM Intelligence that autom...
2025-08-3023 minGTM VaultFrom PLG to AI Agents in 40 Days with Branca BallotDiscover how modern GTM engines evolve from product-led growth to sales-assisted—and why speed is the unlock for AI adoption—in this episode of GTM Vault featuring Branca Ballot, VP of Marketing at Glide.Branca shares how her team grew signups 5x, increased sales-assisted ACV 10x, and launched 5 AI agents in just 40 days. She unpacks the myths around PLG companies adding sales, why RevOps accelerates GTM shifts, and how to align marketing with revenue without killing creativity.With a background spanning GoDaddy, Zenefits, KKR, and BCG, Branca delivers a tactical playbook for founders, marketers, and oper...
2025-08-1623 minGTM VaultHow to Turn Affiliates Into a GTM Growth Engine with Ian BrodieDiscover how affiliate-led GTM is evolving—and why it's becoming one of the most overlooked growth engines in modern go-to-market—in this episode of GTM Vault featuring Ian Brodie, CEO of Levanta. A repeat founder and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, Ian previously co-founded Grovia (acquired in under two years) and led GTM at Acceleration Partners.Ian shares how Levanta helps Amazon sellers connect with high-impact creators, and how they’ve scaled by turning agency partnerships into a performance flywheel. He unpacks why most affiliate programs fail, how AI is reshaping creator recruitment and segmentation, and what it really takes...
2025-08-0223 minGTM VaultBuyer‑Led GTM & the New Era of Sales Growth with Santosh SharanDiscover why traditional funnels are collapsing—and learn how to rebuild them around buyers, not blind automation—in this episode of GTM Vault featuring Santosh Sharan, co‑founder and CEO of Zeer AI. Building on his experience scaling Apollo.io, Retention.com, ZoomInfo—and advising Gong, LeadIQ, Lusha, and ContactOut—Santosh dives deep into the shift from volume‑heavy outbound to high‑trust, buyer‑first engagement. He explains why LinkedIn outperforms cold email, how “agents” are replacing SDRs to pre-qualify leads, and why compounding systems consistently beat short-lived hacks.Listen as Santosh unfolds the strategy behind his 100‑meeting LinkedIn playboo...
2025-07-1934 minGTM VaultScaling the Founder Before the Company with Vijay RajendranVijay Rajendran — executive coach, venture builder, and author of The Funding Framework — joins GTM Vault to explore what it really takes to grow from founder to fundable CEO in today’s fast-moving startup landscape.Vijay has helped founders raise capital in 80+ countries, led Portfolio Value at 500 Global, and now coaches high-growth leaders on how to lead with clarity, raise with confidence, and scale without burning out.In this episode:Why confidence comes from clarityHow to shift from reactive hustle to intentional leadershipThe role of GTM motion in making...
2025-07-0535 minGTM VaultWhy PLG Starts at First Click – Dave Boyce on AI Onboarding, Freemium GTM, and the Future of SaaSDave Boyce (Executive Chairman at Winning by Design, board member at Forrester) joins GTM Vault to break down why most SaaS onboarding fails — and how AI is redefining the Product-Led GTM playbook.In this episode, we unpack:Why “time to first impact” is your most critical growth leverHow AI agents can drive onboarding, retention, and renewalThe difference between a PLG motion vs. a PLG companyWhat to measure before revenue shows upWhen layering sales kills product-led growthDave built and sold companies to Ora...
2025-06-2332 minGTM VaultInside the GTM Engineer Role with Michael SaruggiaMichael Sarrugia is the #1 Clay GTM advisor in the world and the architect of a new GTM movement: the rise of the GTM Engineer.In this episode, we break down:What a GTM Engineer actually is — and why this role is replacing traditional RevOpsHow Clay is powering AI-driven workflows across outbound, inbound, and RevOpsThe most effective Clay playbooks used by $50M+ ARR scale-upsWhy “revenue per employee” is the new north star metric for GTM teamsCommon mistakes founders make when automating their GTM motionM...
2025-06-0920 minGTM VaultThe $2.2M AI Intern That Eliminates Busywork | Jan Heimes & Onur Eken, Needle AINeedle AI isn’t just another ChatGPT wrapper — it’s building the AI intern your company actually needs.In this episode, Rick Koleta sits down with Jan Heimes and Onur Eken, co-founders of Needle-AI.com, to unpack how they raised $2.2M to help companies become AI-enabled in one day.We dive into:Why most AI tools become shelfware (and how Needle avoids it)Their pivot from RAG APIs to a full-stack execution layerThe “intern, not overlord” mindset for integrating AIWhat convinced investors to back them early
2025-05-2628 minGTM VaultHow Charles Cormier Turns Podcasts & Cold Email Into 10 Clients/MonthCharles Cormier has launched 10,000+ cold email campaigns, interviewed 2,500+ founders, and built a system that converts podcast appearances into high-ticket clients. In this episode, he shares his $200/month GTM stack, AI-powered follow-up workflows, and how to build a predictable lead gen engine in 2025.
2025-05-1315 minGTM VaultSean Ellis: Why Startups Stall and How to Build Growth Engines That ScaleSean Ellis — the growth architect behind Dropbox, Eventbrite, and LogMeIn — reveals why most startups stall after early traction and how to build sustainable growth engines.In this episode of GTM Vault, Rick Koleta and Sean break down:• Why product-market fit still beats any AI hack• How Dropbox’s real growth started before the referral program• The freemium mistake that almost killed LogMeIn• How to fix your activation flow and stop churn before it starts• How to build a high-speed, learning-driven culture• Why founders must personally own growth — not delegate it
2025-04-2723 minGTM VaultHow Zayd Ali’s Valley is Making LinkedIn Spam ObsoleteZayd Ali is the founder and CEO of Valley, an AI-powered outbound engine turning the LinkedIn sales tools industry upside down. With two prior exits, global team scaling experience, and backing from General Catalyst, Jason Calacanis, and top sales leaders, Zayd is on a mission to redefine outbound sales. Valley has already generated $120M in pipeline for companies like Front, Cardlytics, and 70+ startups backed by Sequoia, a16z, and more.But here’s the bombshell: Valley is considering giving its core features away for free—undercutting competitors and forcing the industry to innovate or fade out. Is this...
2025-04-1031 minGTM VaultHow Swan AI Makes Sales Human Again: Amos Bar-Joseph’s Anti-Spam RevolutionEpisode 16 features Amos Bar-Joseph, CEO of Swan AI—a Tel Aviv-based startup using AI agents to supercharge human-led sales, not replace them. A 2x-exited founder and ex-KPMG advisor, Amos reveals why most teams use AI wrong and how to scale pipeline without sacrificing authenticity.
2025-03-2623 minGTM VaultSelin Kocalar on Delve’s AI Compliance RevolutionIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, we sit down with Selin Kocalar, co-founder and COO of Delve, the AI-powered compliance platform transforming how startups achieve SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR certifications. From leaving MIT to joining Y Combinator, running marathons, and even conquering a Navy SEAL bootcamp, Selin’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.We dive deep into:🚀 The pivotal moment that led her to launch Delve and disrupt the compliance space💡 How AI is revolutionizing compliance, slashing timelines from months to weeks📈 Raising $3.3M and scaling to a multi-million dollar revenue run rate
2025-03-1021 minGTM VaultScaling LinkedIn Outreach for Agencies: Insights from Heyreach's Nick VelkovskiIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta sits down with Nick Velkovski, Co-Founder and CEO of Heyreach, a leading LinkedIn outreach tool built for agencies and sales teams. Nick shares the journey of pivoting from Howitzer to Heyreach, the challenges of gaining early adoption, and how niching down to lead-gen agencies transformed their growth. Discover key insights on scaling LinkedIn outreach, defining your ideal customer profile, and the technology behind Heyreach’s unique features.
2024-09-1415 minGTM VaultTransforming Enterprise AI with Yuhong Sun: Data Privacy & Open-Source InnovationIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, Rick Koleta sits down with Yuhong Sun, co-founder of Danswer, a YC-backed groundbreaking open-source Gen AI platform. Danswer is helping enterprises solve critical challenges in AI-powered search, with a key focus on data privacy and security. Yuhong shares insights on how Danswer is filling the gaps left by mainstream AI tools like ChatGPT, providing companies with secure, self-hostable solutions to manage internal knowledge.
2024-09-0713 minGTM VaultUnlocking Startup Success with super{set}'s Ayush Khanna: Data, AI & Venture BuildingWe're excited to have Ayush Khanna, New Ventures Lead at super{set}—a startup studio dedicated to building transformative data and AI companies. With extensive experience in founding and scaling B2B SaaS startups, Ayush shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities of creating successful ventures.
2024-08-3049 minGTM VaultRevolutionizing Personal Voice AI: Insights from Martin's CEO Dawson ChenJoin us for an enlightening episode of the GTM Vault Podcast as host Rick Koleta interviews Dawson Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of Martin, a Y Combinator-backed startup revolutionizing the personal voice AI space. Dawson shares his inspiring journey from working with NASA and Stanford to founding his own companies. In this episode, we dive deep into the development challenges of Martin, the future of personal voice AI, and how Dawson's diverse experiences—from blockchain to student council—have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Discover how Martin aims to be the most personalized AI assistant on the market and what...
2024-08-2415 minGTM VaultEmpowering SMBs with AI-Driven Lead Generation: Insights from Openmart's Kathryn WuIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta sits down with Kathryn Wu, co-founder of Openmart, an AI-powered alternative to ZoomInfo backed by Y Combinator. Kathryn shares her journey from roles at Pinterest and Data Bento to founding Openmart, diving deep into the challenges and opportunities in go-to-market strategies. Tune in to learn about the unique advantages Openmart offers in lead generation, the evolving role of AI in business, and Kathryn’s experiences as a woman in tech. Discover how AI is transforming sales research and what the future holds for AI in lead gen.
2024-08-1819 minGTM VaultTransforming Biotech: Self-Funding Clinical Trials and AI in Healthcare with Savva KerdemelidisIn Episode 9 of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta dives into the biotech world with Savva Kerdemelidis, the founder and CEO of Public Good Pharma. Savva, with over 20 years of experience as a registered patent and trademark attorney, shares his innovative approach to developing cost-effective therapies through self-funding clinical trials.
2024-08-1138 minGTM VaultEmpowering Women Founders with Mariane Bekker, CTO, Investor, and Managing Partner at Founders BayIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, Rick Koleta sits down with Mariane Bekker, CTO, Investor, and Managing Partner at Founders Bay. Mariane shares her journey from engineering leader to advocate for women founders, offering insights into building diverse teams, overcoming funding challenges, and the transformative role of AI in tech.
2024-08-0429 minGTM VaultEmbracing Sales and Building Strong GTM Strategies with Ana Leyva, GTM Expert at Pear VCIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, Rick Koleta sits down with Ana Leyva, a dynamic early-stage VC and B2B sales leader currently at Pear VC. Ana brings a unique blend of experience from both startup and enterprise environments. Join us as Ana shares her journey from being the daughter of immigrants to becoming a successful entrepreneur and advisor to startups. She discusses pivotal moments in her career, her approach to developing go-to-market strategies, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem.
2024-07-2926 minGTM VaultTransforming B2B Sales with AI: Venki Pola’s Journey from Salesforce to OneShot AIIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta interviews Venki Pola, Co-Founder and CTO of OneShot AI. Dive into Venki's inspiring journey from his early days in India, through his career at Salesforce, to co-founding OneShot AI, a pioneering platform transforming B2B sales prospecting with AI.
Looking for a fractional CMO?
https://calendly.com/ritegtm/30min
Check out my website!
https://ritegtm.com/
Join our events!
https://www.gtmnights.com/
Subscribe to my newsletter!
https://gtmvault.substack.com/
Read my marketing blog!
https://rickkoleta.com/
Send me an email!
rickkoleta@gmail.com
2024-07-2225 minGTM VaultThe Evolution of Digital Product Development with Mike Soylu, Co-Founder of Adaptive ComputerIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta sits down with Mike Soylu, Co-Founder of Adaptive Computer, to dive into how AI is revolutionizing digital product development. Mike shares insights on the evolution of technology over the past decade, the current AI landscape, and the future of AI in mainstream applications.
Tune in to hear about:
- The journey of Adaptive Computer and its innovative approach to software development.
- How AI is making software more accessible, affordable, and customizable.
- The profound implications for product development and marketing.
- The potential global impact and adoption...
2024-07-1423 minGTM VaultAI and Product Development: Insights from Full Stack Startup Advisor Dmitry StaviskyIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta sits down with Dmitry Stavisky, a seasoned startup advisor with extensive experience in building and scaling tech companies internationally. Dmitry shares his journey from climate modeling and coding to leading product development at Unicorn startups. They dive deep into how AI is reshaping product development, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and what the future holds as AI goes mainstream.
Additionally, Dmitry offers insights into his advisory services for post-Series A companies on international expansion and early-stage startup founders. Tune in to explore:
- The evolution of digital...
2024-07-0726 minGTM VaultBoost Sales Efficiency with Social Selling - Insights from Parthi LoganathanIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, we dive into the transformative world of social selling with Parthi Loganathan, Founder & CEO of Letterdrop. Parthi shares his expertise on leveraging social platforms to enhance sales efficiency, the critical metrics for success, and the role of AI in maintaining a human touch in sales.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of engaging with customers on social platforms
Key metrics for measuring social selling success: connect rates, reply rates, and content engagement
How AI and automation can enhance sales efficiency while preserving human-to-human connections
The growing importance of personal branding...
2024-07-0526 minGTM VaultThe Evolution of RevOps: Key Developments & Metrics for SaaS with Zachary LukasiewiczIn this episode of the GTM Vault Podcast, host Rick Koleta dives into the world of Revenue Operations (RevOps) with Zachary Lukasiewicz, an expert with extensive experience in private equity and venture capital. Discover how RevOps is revolutionizing business operations by aligning sales, marketing, and customer success teams to drive sustainable growth.
Key insights include:
The rising importance of RevOps in modern businesses
Evolution of RevOps roles over time
Critical developments to watch in the RevOps space
Challenges and solutions for early-stage SaaS companies
Essential metrics and KPIs for tracking success
Recommended tools for enhancing RevOps...
2024-06-2418 min
GTM VaultAI-Powered Sales Training: Boosting Efficiency with Sriharsha GuduguntlaIn the first episode of GTM Vault, I welcome Sriharsha Guduguntla, CEO of Hyperbound, to discuss the future of sales efficiency powered by AI. We explore how Hyperbound’s AI roleplay technology is accelerating sales training and enhancing team performance. Sriharsha provides insightful perspectives on how sales professionals can upskill and shares actionable strategies for startups to leverage AI effectively. This episode is essential for anyone looking to understand the future of AI in sales.
Key Takeaways:
The transformative role of AI in modern sales processes and daily workflows.
An in-depth look at Hy...
2024-06-1718 min