How AI and "Digital Trust" Are Shaping Landbase's Go-To-Market Strategy

 Daniel Saks, who was co-CEO of AppDirect at the time, believed Michael Dell's LinkedIn post was a joke. However, the message was genuine, and it made a huge difference. A crucial lesson was reinforced by that unexpected encounter: people will react if they recognize your name. That realization served as the basis for Saks' subsequent business endeavor, Landbase.

AppDirect to Landbase: A Change in Perspective

Saks founded Landbase after leaving AppDirect, a business that assists enterprise software manufacturers with billing. His new company, "vibe GTM," is focused on automating outbound marketing with artificial intelligence. Sound Ventures and Picus Capital co-led the $30 million Series A funding round, which also included 8VC, A*, and Firstminute Capital.

40 Million Campaigns Are Meet by AI

Landbase makes use of OpenAI's GPT-4o model, which has been optimized using information gathered from 40 million marketing campaigns through agency partnerships. The team trained the AI on campaign results, including both successes and failures, rather than merely concentrating on language or targeting. The most unexpected finding? It was not bad content that caused more than half of those initiatives to fail, but a lack of trust.

Why the True Game-Changer Is Digital Trust

Saks understood that even the most effective communications are ineffective without name recognition. His answer is to use targeted outreach rather than haphazard mass marketing to establish digital trust. This type of customized brand-building required a large expense prior to AI. Fast, lean campaigns with fewer personnel and faster turnaround times are now possible thanks to automation.

Through content, outreach, and credibility, Saks used his own product to grow Landbase from 10 to over 100 paying clients in a matter of months.

130 VCs showed up.

The firm immediately gained attention when Landbase announced its $12.5M seed round in September. In the weeks after the product introduction, more than 130 venture capital firms contacted the company. Saks took advantage of the enthusiasm and met with 50 leading investors in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

Among those meetings, Ashton Kutcher and Sound Ventures' Guy Oseary stood out. The startup's motto, "intelligently automate your go-to-market," was immediately changed by Kutcher to "find your next customer," a phrase Saks later adopted.

Taking Part in a Crowded AI Industry

Landbase is not alone, even though it has raised $42.5 million so far. Along with industry titans like Salesforce and HubSpot, competitors include Regie.ai, AiSDR, and 11x.ai. However, Landbase distinguishes itself by not feigning to replace people. The AI helps with tracking and ideas, but humans are still in charge of final outreach and adjustments.

Serving the Underprivileged: Not Just Startups, But SMBs

Landbase is targeting real-world SMBs, such as insurance brokers, landscapers, and MSPs, who are frequently left behind in the AI rush, while others are pursuing IT clients. While its expensive plans (around $3,000/month) unlock campaign scale, its freemium strategy makes it accessible.

For Saks, it's obvious: Landbase is establishing trust on a large scale, not merely automating outreach.