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Leadership calendar    Aug 19, 2026

Electrifying Growth Episode 79: AI Won't Fix a Broken Business Model

Why AI won't fix a broken business model and what growth-stage leaders should prioritize as they accelerate AI adoption

Chris Sugden
Chris Sugden

 

 

AI is creating enormous opportunities for growth-stage companies. But it is also creating a dangerous assumption: adopting the right technology can somehow compensate for weaknesses in the underlying business.

Managing Partner Chris Sugden argues that, "AI is going to accelerate or exacerbate the current state you're in. And if you're in a growth at all costs business, it'll actually do that to you faster." Sustainable growth, profitability, gross margin expansion, and customer retention are more important than ever.

Chris also shares what he's seeing across our portfolio and why the strongest approaches make AI an organization-wide operating priority. Tune in for Chris's perspective on what AI changes, what it doesn't, and how growth-stage leaders can approach adoption without losing sight of the fundamentals that ultimately drive shareholder value.

 

 

Interested in guest-starring on Electrifying Growth? Apply Here to be a guest!
Chris Sugden

Chris is Managing Partner and Chairman of the firm's investment committee. A leading fintech executive and investor for over 25 years (before fintech was fintech), Chris' investment expertise and exits span payments, capital markets and wealth management segments, and track record includes leading dozens of new investments and over 60 rounds of financing.