When Daniel Saks, then co-CEO of AppDirect, got a LinkedIn message from Michael Dell, he thought it was a prank. But the message was real — and it changed everything. That unexpected interaction drove home a critical point: if people recognize your name, they respond. That insight became foundational for Saks’ next venture: Landbase.

From AppDirect to Landbase: A Shift in Vision

Saks stepped away from AppDirect — a company helping enterprise software brands manage billing — to create Landbase. His new startup focuses on using AI to automate outbound marketing, or what he calls “vibe GTM.” It recently raised $30 million in Series A funding, co-led by Sound Ventures and Picus Capital, with participation from 8VC, A*, and Firstminute Capital.

AI Meets 40 Million Campaigns

Landbase uses OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, fine-tuned with data from 40 million marketing campaigns collected via agency partnerships. The team didn’t just focus on text or targeting; they trained the AI on campaign outcomes — both wins and failures. The most surprising discovery? Over half of those campaigns failed due to a lack of trust, not poor writing.

Why Digital Trust Is the Real Game-Changer

Saks realized that without name recognition, even the best messages fall flat. His solution: build digital trust through strategic outreach — not random mass marketing. Before AI, this kind of personalized brand-building needed a big budget. Now, automation enables fast, lean campaigns with fewer people and quicker turnaround times.

Using his own product, Saks grew Landbase from 10 to 100+ paying customers in just a few months, fueled by content, outreach, and credibility.

130 VCs Came Knocking

When Landbase announced its $12.5M seed round in September, the startup quickly got noticed. Over 130 venture capital firms reached out in the weeks following the product launch. Saks ran with the momentum — meeting 50 top investors across New York, L.A., and San Francisco.

One of those meetings stood out: Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary of Sound Ventures. Kutcher even rebranded the startup’s tagline on the spot: from “intelligently automate your go-to-market” to “find your next customer” — a line Saks adopted.

Competing in a Crowded AI Market

Despite raising $42.5 million to date, Landbase isn’t alone. Competitors include Regie.ai, AiSDR, 11x.ai, and giants like Salesforce and HubSpot. Yet Landbase stands apart by not pretending to replace humans. The AI assists with suggestions and tracking, but humans remain in control of edits and final outreach.

Serving the Underserved: SMBs, Not Just Startups

While others chase tech clients, Landbase is going after real-world SMBs — insurance brokers, landscapers, MSPs — those often left behind in the AI rush. Its freemium model makes it accessible, while paid plans (around $3,000/month) unlock campaign scale.

For Saks, it’s clear: Landbase isn’t just automating outreach — it’s building trust at scale.