In uncertain economic times, the CFOs of three prominent startups—Mercury, Vercel, and Cribl—shared their strategies and perspectives on navigating the current landscape at a recent discussion hosted by CRV, a leading venture firm in Silicon Valley. These challenges include a volatile initial public offering (IPO) market, tariff uncertainties, and stock market instability. Despite these hurdles, the CFOs remain focused on growth, leveraging new technologies, and maintaining financial resilience. Daniel Kang, CFO of Mercury, a fintech banking startup valued at $3.5 billion, emphasized the need for CFOs to be adaptable in the face of political and economic volatility. He noted that the impact of decisions made in Washington, D.C., such as tariff announcements, can significantly affect businesses. Mercury, which recently secured $300 million in funding, is preparing for the possibility of extended uncertainty by ensuring the company remains nimble. Marten Abrahamsen, CFO of Vercel, a cloud-based development platform, took a more optimistic stance. While acknowledging the recent market jitters, he expressed confidence in avoiding a recession in the near future and predicted a robust stock market rally in the fall. Abrahamsen attributes this optimism to the burgeoning investments in artificial intelligence (AI), which he believes will drive innovation and growth. Vercel, which launched several new products in the past year, is capitalizing on AI advancements to improve its offerings and stay ahead of the curve. Zachary Johnson, CFO of Cribl, a data management solutions provider valued at $3.5 billion, echoed similar sentiments about adaptability and the potential of AI. Cribl, which raised $319 million last year, is focusing on long-term growth and sustainability. Johnson highlighted the importance of building a generational company, which involves fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. He has directed his executive team to explore AI initiatives, aiming to harness new technologies to enhance Cribl's attractiveness to both investors and customers. The CFOs discussed the broader trend of fewer companies opting for IPOs, attributing this to the availability of private financing and a lack of pressure from investors and employees. According to the panelists, many startups are prioritizing staying private to avoid the regulatory and operational complexities that come with being publicly traded. However, they stressed that exceptional companies can still go public successfully, even in challenging markets. Kang pointed out that private funding allows companies like Mercury to maintain control and flexibility, crucial during periods of economic uncertainty. He noted that the company is closely monitoring market conditions and positioning itself to capitalize on opportunities that arise. Similarly, Johnson of Cribl emphasized the value of private funding in building a solid foundation for future growth, stating that they are taking a measured approach to expanding their operations and entering new markets. Abrahamsen disagreed somewhat with the prevailing caution, arguing that companies should not wait for ideal market conditions to go public. He drew attention to the recent success stories, such as Hinge Health and eToro, which saw significant gains despite earlier market doubts. "If you're running a great business, there will always be investors interested in your story," he said. Abrahamsen encouraged startups to focus on fundamentals, including strong financial performance and a clear value proposition, rather than waiting for a hotter market. The CFOs also discussed the role of AI in enhancing their companies' capabilities and value propositions. Abrahamsen highlighted Vercel's efforts to integrate AI into its development tools, enabling developers to create more sophisticated applications faster and more efficiently. Johnson of Cribl is hopeful that AI can help the company refine its data management solutions, making them more effective and user-friendly. He views AI as a critical component in the company's ongoing innovation and growth strategy. In conclusion, while the current market presents numerous challenges, the CFOs of Mercury, Vercel, and Cribl are navigating these uncertainties through strategic planning, leveraging AI, and maintaining a focus on long-term growth. Their perspectives highlight the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience in today’s tech environment. Industry insiders praise the cautious yet forward-thinking approach taken by these CFOs. The ability to navigate unpredictable markets while continuing to innovate is seen as a crucial factor in maintaining a competitive edge. Both Mercury and Cribl are positioning themselves as leaders in their respective fields, while Vercel's aggressive stance on AI and market timing underscores its confidence in the tech sector's future. Mercury, founded in 2019, provides banking and financial services tailored for tech startups. The company has quickly become a go-to solution for growing startups, thanks to its user-friendly platform and comprehensive suite of financial tools. Vercel, established in 2015, is a cloud-centric development platform that has gained traction with developers and tech teams worldwide for its ease of use and robust features. Cribl, launched in 2015, specializes in data management solutions, helping organizations optimize their data usage and analytics processes. Each of these companies has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to innovation, aligning with the insights shared by their CFOs.