Fireside Chat with James Isilay of Cognism: Fundraising during the current economic climate

This podcast episode discusses Cognizant's impressive growth, strategies to grow PLG businesses, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) updates, equity management in the current market landscape, plans for an IPO, and strategies for winning enterprise deals and navigating acquisitions. Takeaways • Cognizant experienced substantial growth, with MRR increasing from $11 million in 2021 to $52 million in 2023, driven by organic efforts and acquisitions. • M&A is an important aspect for Cognizant's growth strategy, and it aims to engage with acquired companies to help them achieve their goals. • For PLG businesses, Cognizant emphasizes the importance of providing resources, separating business entities, and focusing on different countries and territories. • Cognizant emphasizes the significance of reasonable valuation, employee equity growth, and a multi-faceted sales team for winning enterprise deals. • Cognizant's IPO plans include a target of $300 million AR in revenue and a focus on organic growth for profitability before considering inorganic options. • Strategies for acquisition include identifying gaps through customer feedback and establishing sound relationships with potential targets, emphasizing founder compatibility and personal rapport.