Dirk Sahlmer

Acquiring SaaS companies @ saas.group | saas.wtf Newsletter

Engineer turned M&A professional. After 20+ transactions on the buy-side, I'm now helping tech founders run a structured exit process.

Posting regularly here on LI and in my saas.wtf newsletter on SaaS and  M&A topics.

Head of Origination

It's Sunday and you're scrolling LinkedIn instead of doing anything productive? Cool, I have something for you..


Alexander from MRR Unlocked 🚀 asked me to contribute to a playbook for SaaS founders scaling from 0 to €1M ARR.

My brief: Share your #1 tip.

If you've been following me for a while, you can probably guess what mine was ab

(Spoiler: It involves KPIs)

The article also includes insights from many other people who are smarter than me covering positioning, ICP, content strategy, pricing, and CRM.

Definitely worth a read: https://lnkd.in/es-EzACY

One more thing: Alex asked me to post about it tomorrow. But I'm doing it on Sunday evening because I like to make life difficult.
 
Please engage and help me send this to the moon, so he won't complain that I didn't follow directions.
 
Thanks in advance. 🫶

I help Tech founders exit | Partner @ FE International | saas.wtf Newsletter

Airwallex

Enterprise Account Executive

Nium

Part of the 0-1 team building the most comprehensive checkout solution for digital businesses across the region

I specifically help with: 
- GTM Planning & Business Development in new verticals across APAC 
- Working with clients to help enter/explore new markets

Business Development Lead, Alternate Payments

DataRobot

GTM + BD role exploring new geography + domains in SE Asia+IN markets. Major focus on Digital Native Business

+ Machine Learning Platform to build Data Models in a few clicks
+ Deliver Predictive Insights at scale
+ 1000+ clients. 750+ Data Scientists. 11 global locations
+ CNBC Disruptor 50 / CB Insights top 100 / AI  A16Z Data50

Unfortunately part of a global retrenchment exercise affecting APAC, Europe & Americas

APAC GTM, Digital Native Startups

B2B SaaS Startups

Supporting early stage (Pre A/B series) SaaS startups looking to expand to new markets/verticals (SE Asia). My primary engagement was to function as #1/early resource tasked with tackling new markets &/ unlocking growth. 

Starting 2020, also partnered with Startup Accelerators (Flat6labs, 500, Meet Ventures) in assisting their portfolio ventures (early stage) in various growth mandates.

Key Skillset learnt : New market entry strategy, Business Development, Strategic Partnerships
Keywords : B2B SaaS, Customer engagement, AI/ML, Corporate Innovation 

Select Engagements: 

Kata.ai, Omnichannel Customer Engagement AI (2021)
+ GTM Planning, Strategic Partnerships, New market entry 

Pand.ai, Conversational AI startup (2020-21)
+ New market entry, Enterprise Sales, GTM Partnerships

Agorize, Open Innovation Platform (SaaS) for corporates in SE Asia (2019-20)
+ New Vertical Sales, Business Development, Partnerships

4xlabs, Fintech Startup providing tech solutions for MSBs (2018-19)
+ Sales Process revamp, Enterprise Deals & Sales Management

Startup Consultant, Sales & GTM

Mountain Partners

Early stage 0-1 startup operator scaling portfolio startups. Primarily responsible for monetisation strategy, new market expansions (BD) & executing special projects. 

Business Head, Getlaundry, Online SaaS-enabled Marketplace for Laundry
+ Managed sales/BD teams in 4 countries (UAE,Indonesia,Malaysia & Philippines)
+ Scaled vendor supply on platform 5x & closed SaaS deals with top clients in Dubai & Jakarta

Business Development Head, Omni-channel Personalisation Technology Platform
+ Key Account Manager for top clients in Airlines & Travel domain in MENA market
+ Closed deals with strategic companies in Airlines, Travel & Event domain

Entrepreneur In Residence

Rocket Internet SE

Wild wild west of an experience. Enough stories to last a lifetime. Worked with the Founder & Country MD closely in executing 1-10 story in a tough but strategic market executing 'rocket' style growth. 

Venture Development, Lamudi, online real estate marketplace with operations in 32 countries
+ Part of core team helping scale business 20x in MRR, foray into new verticals & achieved local breakeven in 18 months
+ Sales: Closed top deals (Agency & Online marketing) with Real Estate & Banking clients
+ Leadership: Sales Management, Process Review, Vertical Head & Special Projects

APAC Tech Sales | SaaS GTM & Market Entry

Enterprise Account Executive :  Worked in 6 countries & closed sales deals in 9. Built GTM for SaaS/tech startups. Domain experience in Payments, Embedded Banking & B2B SaaS.  

Prior Background : Ex-Venture Builder (Rocket Internet, Mountain Partners). Helped build up SaaS/marketplace startups in 3 countries across MENA & SEA region (Seed & Series A stage). 

On the side : Angel Investor (12 Investments) ; Supporting early-stage startups (Sales Strategy). Associated with 500 Startups, Flat6labs, Meet Ventures, Accelerating Asia

Weekends : Sports injuries. MUBI. Test cricket & books. Seinfeld > Friends. Never owned a credit card.

taplio

The Battle

Dirk Sahlmer

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taplio

The Battle

Dirk Sahlmer

Vineeth Vijayan

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Dirk Sahlmer's LinkedIn Performance

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