James Isilay, founder and CEO of Cognism, shares his journey of scaling the company from zero to $70 million in ARR. He discusses the various scaling crises encountered along the way and how strategic mentorship, support networks, and maintaining a balanced approach across different aspects of life and business were crucial for navigating these challenges. James highlights how he structured his team, selected mentors, and integrated a supportive culture within Cognism to foster growth and resilience.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Background
1:20 - Early Challenges and the Importance of Mentorship
3:30 - Scaling from $0 to $70 Million ARR
5:45 - Building a Robust Support Network
8:10 - Role of Cultural Alignment and Company Values
10:15 - Strategic Use of Investors and VCs for Scaling
12:30 - Implementing Strong Governance and Operations
14:45 - Importance of Health and Well-being in Entrepreneurship
17:20 - Detailed Insights on Overcoming Specific Scaling Crises
20:10 - Future Directions and Lessons for Entrepreneurs
22:30 - Q&A Session with Audience
Founded in 2015.
$70m in revenue in 2024
$64m in revenue in 2023.
$2m in revenue in 2018.
$129.1m Total Funding.
481 employees.
6,400 customers.
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