S4E17 - How to build a startup within a Corporate? Building Respona within Visme With Farzad Rashidi

In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast, host Joran sits down with Farzad Rashidi, the co-founder and driving force behind Respona. Farzad reveals how Respona, a startup born within VisMe, a massive platform with 20 million users navigated the exciting journey of growing from an in-house tool to a thriving business. Farzad shares the ups and downs of building a startup inside a big company, the critical role of SEO in their growth, and the valuable lessons learned from engaging directly with customers. Plus, he offers insider tips on how Respona uses AI to stay ahead and why focusing on the right audience is key to success. Tune in for actionable tips and real-world advice from someone who’s turned a startup dream into a profitable reality. Key Time Codes (00:00) - Onboarding Customers and Changing Affiliates (01:00) - Introduction to Farzad and Respona (01:52) - How Respona Was Born (04:56) - Respona's Growth and Team (05:47) - Respona's SaaS Features (07:09) - Farzad’s Career and Entrepreneurial Spirit (08:01) - Future Goals for Respona (08:47) - Motivations and Beta Challenges (10:51) - Startup Life Under VisMe (13:55) - Lessons from Tough Times (22:51) - Effective Growth Strategies (28:04) - AI and Affiliate Tips (32:36) - Farzad’s Tips for SaaS Success (39:34) - How to Connect with Farzad