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Spotlight: February 25, 2025
Published 2 months ago • 4 min read
The Weekly Dispatch
Top posts from this week
Michael Bernzweig, Founder, Software Oasis
Hello Reader,
📍 From the Top
This week, we explore the intersection of SaaS growth and AI innovation.
Lucas Lovell of Paddle shares how the Merchant of Record (MOR) model simplifies global expansion for SaaS companies, offering solutions to compliance and payment challenges.
Meanwhile, DeepSeek disrupts AI development with a groundbreaking $5.6M cost, compared to ChatGPT-4’s $78M. Lastly, Fortune 500 firms are increasing AI budgets by 150% annually, signaling a major shift in enterprise priorities.
These trends highlight the growing importance of efficiency and strategic investment in tech—key takeaways for businesses navigating today’s fast-evolving landscape.
Scaling SaaS globally is no small feat, but Paddle’s Merchant of Record (MOR) model is transforming how companies expand internationally. By managing compliance, taxes, and payments, Paddle enables SaaS firms to focus on growth while reducing operational complexity. Lucas Lovell’s journey from law student to VP at Paddle underscores the importance of adaptability and market alignment in global expansion strategies. On the AI front, DeepSeek R1 has emerged as a cost-efficient disruptor, boasting a development cost of $5.6M compared to ChatGPT-4’s $78M and Google Gemini Ultra’s $191M—proving innovation doesn’t always come at a premium.
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In this episode of Software Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig sits down with Lucas Lovell, VP of Product at Paddle, to discuss how SaaS companies can simplify global expansion and compliance through the Merchant of Record (MOR) model. Lucas shares his fascinating journey from studying law in Australia to co-founding a multilingual customer support startup in Paris, and eventually joining Paddle in London.
The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is not only defined by innovation but also by the costs associated with developing cutting-edge technologies. DeepSeek R1 has emerged as a game-changer, boasting a development cost of just $5.6 million, compared to the staggering $78 million for ChatGPT-4 and $191 million for Google Gemini Ultra (AI Development Insights, January 2025).
Fortune 500 companies are leading the charge in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with annual AI budgets increasing by an impressive 150% year-over-year as of February 2025. This surge in investment reflects a growing focus on leveraging AI for search optimization, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage (Verdantix, January 2025). Below, we explore the key drivers behind this trend, how enterprises are deploying AI, and what it means for the future of business.
Join us Tuesday for insights into emerging SaaS tools and the latest AI breakthroughs.
Don’t forget to participate in this week’s poll—your input shapes future editions!
Best regards,
Michael Bernzweig Founder, Software Oasis
P.S. Don't miss out! Future-proof your agency and master AI search. Our free live Q&A webinar is TOMORROW (Wednesday, February 26, 2025). 48 spots left - so register now!
📈 About Us - Software Oasis was founded in 1998. We help businesses find top consultants across the U.S. and Canada. Often called the "Trusted List of Consulting," it's a proven platform where organizations of any size can connect with verified subject matter experts. Find your perfect match quickly. Go from challenge to successful outcomes fast. Perfect Consulting Matches - Tough Problems, Smart Solutions™.
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Tech Spotlight
Software Oasis
Bi-weekly data, trends, analysis, interviews, and insights to your inbox. B2B tech community. Get ahead in your B2B tech career. Since 1998. Over 30,000 monthly visitors.
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