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, Founder & CEO of Hexus AI, how she approaches this question at her early-stage company.
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.
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