Bootstrapping to €1M: Surfe's David Chevalier on Scaling with Partnerships

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Founders Only

Creative Analytics

48 episodes

1 week ago

Here at the Founders Only Podcast, we uncover the pivotal triumphs and trials in the stories of great founders, delivering actionable advice on how to be the leader of the pack. It’s not just a podcast; it’s like catching up with friends who happen to be incredible entrepreneurs. Tune in, soak up the wisdom, and boss up with the Founders Only Podcast. Picture this: every other Wednesday, we’re dropping an episode from our six-episode season, giving you a front-row seat to Mia’s masterclass on leadership, overcoming growth challenges, and scaling your business.

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Bootstrapping to €1M: Surfe's David Chevalier on Scaling with Partnerships

Founders Only

50 minutes 47 seconds

5 months ago

Bootstrapping to €1M: Surfe's David Chevalier on Scaling with Partnerships

In this captivating episode of Founders Only Podcast, we shared the remarkable journey of David Chevalier, CEO and co-founder of Surfe, who transformed a simple university project into a thriving sales intelligence platform. From his early days as a 24-year-old investment banker in Frankfurt to bootstrapping a €1M ARR business through strategic partnerships, David's story is a masterclass in bootstrapped entrepreneurship.

David shares the pivotal moment when he decided to leave his comfortable banking career, moving to Paris to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. His story is deeply rooted in family inspiration, particularly his father's prioritization of family well-being over business convenience — a lesson that would later influence David's own leadership style.

What sets this episode apart is David's unique perspective on building a diverse company culture, now boasting 45+ team members from 17 different nationalities. His multifaceted background in competitive sports and theater has shaped his adaptable approach to leadership. Learn how Surfe evolved from a simple LinkedIn CRM connector to a comprehensive sales intelligence platform, scaling from an innovative partnership strategy.

David also opens up about maintaining balance amidst rapid growth, sharing his practices including mindfulness. For B2B SaaS founders looking to bootstrap their way to success in 2025 and beyond, this episode offers invaluable insights on building strategic partnerships, scaling with limited resources, and maintaining authentic leadership through various growth stages.

Join us for this enlightening conversation that goes beyond typical startup metrics to explore the human side of building a global B2B SaaS company. Whether you're considering the leap from corporate to startup life or looking to scale your existing business through partnerships, David's journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for the modern entrepreneur