E19: AI Just Changed the Rules of SAAS with Jason Lemkin

Episode notes

In this episode of the SaaS Operators Podcast, we sat down with Jason Lemkin who explains how AI and Shopify have completely reshaped the landscape, eliminating lifestyle businesses and forcing founders to adapt or get steamrolled. He describes how defensibility in B2B SaaS is eroding, success in the Shopify ecosystem, and why hitting $10M ARR no longer guarantees a path to $100M.Jason Lemkin shares his rule for founders and execs. Deploy one new AI tool every month. Speed, brand, and execution matter more than ever. The episode closes with an honest take on raising capital in ecom SAAS, why VCs avoid the category, and what it will take to build a truly fundable business in the age of AI.