AI + B2B in 2026: Find the Tailwinds or Get Left Behind | Jason Lemkin

Software spend is set to hit record levels in 2026, but you're not getting any of it unless you change.

SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin breaks down the paradox facing B2B companies right now: It's never been easier to scale to $100M (for a select few), while everyone else struggles. Half of all VC dollars are going into just 4 deals. IPOs ended the year with a whimper.

And that AI copilot you built? It doesn't count.

In this session, Jason shares the data on what's actually happening and what you need to do to capture your share of the hundreds of billions flowing into software.

00:00 Introduction and Session Theme
00:43 Navigating the Paradox of 2026
01:14 AI Mojo and Budget Opportunities
02:09 Challenges in Raising Capital
02:58 The Concentration of Venture Capital
04:12 Software Spend and Price Increases
05:38 IPO Market Realities
06:53 The AI Supercycle and Market Dynamics
10:23 Investor Behavior and Market Trends
24:31 The Importance of Growth in Public Markets
28:29 The Pressure to Grow and Profitability Challenges
29:08 Adobe's AI Acquisition and Market Impact
30:24 The Reality of AI Features in B2B Apps
31:55 AI's Role in Replacing Human Labor
33:24 The Importance of Radical Human Augmentation
36:59 The AI Supercycle and Market Dynamics
40:49 TAM Expansion and AI's Value Proposition
47:50 Efficiency Trends in AI Companies
52:42 Concluding Thoughts on AI and Market Share

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