Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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What happens when AI becomes your most influential referrer?

As consumers turn to ChatGPT for answers, James Cadwallader and his team at Profound help brands like Eight Sleep and MongoDB gain visibility and leverage inside AI models.

On this episode of Grit, he explains why brand narrative has shifted away from content, and why Profound is scaling globally ahead of traditional SaaS timelines.


Guest: James Cadwallader, co-founder and CEO of Profound and Ilya Fushman, partner at Kleiner Perkins


Connect with James Cadwallader
X: https://x.com/thejamescad?lang=en
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jsca

Connect with Ilya Fushman
X: https://x.com/ilyaf
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilyafushman

Connect with Joubin
X: https://x.com/Joubinmir
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854

Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com


Follow on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/kpgrit

Follow on X:
https://x.com/KPGrit

​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins: kleinerperkins.com

00:00 Trailer
01:07 Introduction to Grit and Profound
01:40 The Competitive Market and AI's Role
25:40 Navigating the Early Stages of Product Development
27:08 The Future of AI and Market Opportunities
33:09 Talent Dynamics in the Tech Industry
41:39 Personal Journeys and Entrepreneurial Insights