#349 - Robbert Lodewijks on turning validation into velocity

This podcast interview focuses on the entrepreneurial journey to transform thoughtful validation of the problem into confident scaling of his SaaS business. My guest is Robbert Lodewijks, Co-founder and CEO of Hulo AI.

Robbert Lodewijks is an entrepreneur who understands the delicate balance between patience and ambition. His journey began with a profound realization during his studies in Taiwan - that impact requires more than just good technology.

What makes Robbert's story intriguing is his methodical approach: spending four years in research before launching, then bootstrapping to validate, and only then accelerating with venture funding. This disciplined progression showcases a rare blend of scientific rigor and entrepreneurial instinct.

And this inspired me, and hence, I invited Robbert to my podcast. We explore how early-stage founders can build confidence through validation rather than rushing to scale. His insights reveal how methodical customer development, thoughtful bootstrapping, and strategic timing of funding can create a stronger foundation for growth. What's particularly fascinating is his scientific approach to sales and his insights on avoiding the common pitfalls of enterprise customer development.

Here's one of his quotes:

"We have one really clear definition [of success], and that is in the amount of water that we have saved. In the end, that relates to all our goals, because if we save so many Olympic-sized swimming pools of drinking water, which is 4 million (our BHAG), then it also means that we will probably build a very profitable company and make a huge impact on the world.”

By listening to this podcast, you will learn the following:

• That patient validation beats premature scaling because it builds stronger foundations. • How to avoid pure sales hustle and having to rely on individual talent to secure the growth of your SaaS business. • How to get everyone aligned in your company to create business velocity (not just departmental speed) • Why you should always start your validation processes with end-users rather than just decision-makers.

For more information about the guest from this week:

Robbert Lodewijks

Website: hulo.ai