Bootstrapped Businesses Need to Become AI Native, Stat: Two Prominent Tech Investors Offer Advice

Companies that take AI seriously will be the future winners in their markets.

BY CHELSEA STONER AND MORAD ELHAFED FOR BATTERY VENTURES

Battery General Partner Chelsea Stoner (right) at a Battery event.

As investors in bootstrapped technology companies, we’ve become—understandably—big believers in AI and the transformative impact it can have on industries worldwide.

But in our day-to-day work, we see many smaller tech companies grappling with the rise of this powerful technology in very different ways. Some executives embrace it wholeheartedly, using AI coding tools in multiple departments and spinning up AI agents to boost productivity. Others are more hesitant: They might dabble in AI, using Anthropic’s Claude to draft sales emails or pen new marketing copy. But they’re not treating it as a trend that will fundamentally change the trajectory of their business or the way their employees work every day.

Wherever you are on your corporate AI journey, we’d encourage you to take AI seriously and strive to get “AI native” ASAP. Why? Because in our view, AI is a profound technology shift not confined to Silicon Valley that will create powerful new technology winners across industries as well as plenty of flameouts. As proud sponsors of the Inc. 5000, we know the hard work, focus, and grit it takes to make the list. And we’re convinced that getting AI right will be one key factor driving future........

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