--- title: "Sakshi Pratap, CEO of Hexus, on Growth: Acquisition vs. Retention" description: "Sakshi Pratap, CEO of Hexus, discusses the crucial startup growth decision: prioritizing customer acquisition over retention in today's tech landscape." image: https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*WWtycIFT5cK7iwrQKOZxWQ.png --- [Skip to content](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention#main-content) [![Logo Google Caribou](https://cariboustrategic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20Google%20Caribou.png?width=307&height=127&name=Logo%20Google%20Caribou.png)](https://cariboustrategic.com/) - [Boring to Bestseller Blog](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog) - [Resources](https://cariboustrategic.com/resources) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Boring to Bestseller Blog](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog) - [Resources](https://cariboustrategic.com/resources) - [Book a Call](https://cariboustrategic.com/#call) [Book a Call](https://cariboustrategic.com/#call) May 16, 2025 # Sakshi Pratap, CEO of Hexus, on Growth: Acquisition vs. Retention ![Picture of Nitin Kartik](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ea5ba87acbf0fc26154027b0aa5dff1f) [Nitin Kartik](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/author/nitin-kartik) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/sakshi-pratap-ceo-of-hexus-on-growth-acquisition-vs.-retention) In today’s volatile tech climate — where startup capital is harder to raise and every dollar of ARR is under scrutiny — growth-stage CEOs are being forced to make sharper tradeoffs. One of the most fundamental? Whether to focus on acquiring new customers or doubling down on retaining existing ones. In a recent *Wisdom From Wizards* episode, [I asked Sakshi Pratap](https://youtube.com/shorts/lcHSwa-3ym0?feature=share), Founder & CEO of Hexus AI, how she approaches this question at her early-stage company. ![](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*WWtycIFT5cK7iwrQKOZxWQ.png) Her answer was refreshingly clear. > *“Right now, acquiring new customers is critical. We started just over a year ago, and at this stage, it’s all about building momentum. That said, we still make sure our existing customers are happy — retention matters — but if I had to choose today, I’d pick acquisition.”* This perspective isn’t just relatable — it’s strategic. In the current B2B SaaS environment, where budget scrutiny and AI-driven disruption are reshaping how buyers evaluate products, Sakshi’s focus on acquisition reflects a broader need for visibility, traction, and validation in the market. Her mindset mirrors what we’re hearing from other tech founders post-OpenAI’s Spring Update and amidst the recent pullback in startup valuations: *You can’t afford to blend in.* Whether you’re an AI platform like Hexus or a more mature scaleup, the battle for attention is intensifying. At *Wisdom From Wizards*, these kinds of founder-level decisions are exactly what we unpack — because real growth isn’t just about tactics, it’s about clarity. *Wisdom From Wizards* is brought to you by [**Caribou Strategic**](https://cariboustrategic.com/), helping tech scaleups stand out and succeed. **📈 If you’re a CEO who refuses to plateau, join a **[**Caribou Strategic MASTERMIND**](https://cariboustrategic.com/masterminds-for-tech-ceos-by-caribou-strategic?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wfwizards&utm_content=sakshi_pratap_b)**.** [Growth](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/tag/growth) ## Related posts [![](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:875/1*uCQfyCJvuwEXZA8yRFFqqA.png)](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/how-michelle-zak-validated-her-icp-without-time-budget-or-data) [Growth](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/tag/growth) ## [How Michelle Zak Validated Her ICP Without Time, Budget, or Data](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/how-michelle-zak-validated-her-icp-without-time-budget-or-data) ![Picture of Nitin Kartik](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ea5ba87acbf0fc26154027b0aa5dff1f) [Nitin Kartik](https://cariboustrategic.com/blog/author/nitin-kartik) May 02, 2025 When you’re an early-stage tech startup, the pressure to choose the right customer is intense. 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