Meet Chris Port, Co-Founder at Noded Ai:

Chris was the COO at Boomi where he was part of the $1M ARR to $400M+ ARR journey and ultimately a $4B exit, GM at Dell Software and started his career in strategy consulting. Chris loves problem solving, has an amazing wife, 2 awesome kids and a 25lb dog who thinks he can change the world (or at least rule Austin Texas where they reside). Chris loves live music and you may see him around town.

Listen Up: Chris Port, Co-Founder at Noded Ai — Full Podcast Episode on Spotify

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Quick Read: Chris Port, Co-Founder at Noded Ai, Interview Highlight

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Port, Co-Founder of Noded Ai, on the Default Global podcast. Chris, who has an impressive background as the former CEO of Boomi and various leadership roles at Dell, is now focused on revolutionizing workflow management through Noded Ai. In this episode, we delved into the intricacies of fundraising, product development, and strategic networking. Here’s a breakdown of our conversation.

The Genesis of Noded Ai

I started by asking Chris to provide an overview of Noded Ai and highlight any notable milestones since its launch. Chris revealed that the company is still in its early days, but they’re excited about their AI-native approach, which leverages a knowledge graph to transform how information is recalled and organized.

“We’ve had over a thousand people sign up for the beta,”

Chris shared, emphasizing the anticipation surrounding their upcoming general availability launch.

Navigating the Fundraising Journey

Discussing their impressive $4 million seed round, I was curious about the strategy they employed. Chris described their approach as a hybrid, where they had an alpha product alongside a compelling vision deck.

“Our networks were amazing at making introductions,”

Chris noted, explaining how leveraging personal connections played a crucial role in getting in front of VCs. Their ability to showcase a working product proved instrumental in securing interest from investors.

The Metrics of Investor Meetings

I was particularly interested in the number of investor meetings they undertook to close the seed round. Chris candidly shared that it wasn’t about quantity but quality, estimating they had around 45 meetings. This was a testament to their focused approach, which prioritized meaningful interactions over sheer volume.

Choosing Strategic Investors

We then discussed the importance of selecting investors who offer more than just capital. Chris highlighted that choosing partners with whom they have a personal connection and shared vision was paramount.

“Who we work with is almost as important as anything,”

Chris stated, underscoring the significance of aligning with investors who can offer strategic value and honest feedback.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Having industry-defining entrepreneurs as investors, especially those from Slack and Okta, added significant weight to Noded Ai’s journey. While Chris appreciated their product insights, he found their broader business strategies even more valuable.

“They really gave us good things to think about,”

Chris acknowledged, emphasizing how their guidance extended beyond product development to effective business operations.

Advice to Aspiring Founders

For those preparing to raise seed capital, Chris offered three practical tips: leverage your network, have a solid plan, and exhaustively meet with potential investors. Chris stressed the importance of using personal connections to gain introductions and maintaining clear objectives throughout the fundraising process. He also highlighted the value of presenting a tangible product alongside a compelling narrative.

In conclusion, speaking with Chris Port was a fascinating insight into the entrepreneurial journey at Noded Ai. Their approach to integrating AI into workflow management, backed by strategically selected investors, sets a promising path forward. For anyone interested in seeing how they’re transforming enterprise applications, Chris encourages you to check out Noded Ai at noded.so