• Comment: press releases and YouTube are not reliable sources. Theroadislong (talk) 17:53, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Francis Brero

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Francis Brero is a French entrepreneur and product leader, best known as the co-founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of MadKudu, a business-to-business (B2B) SaaS company specializing in sales intelligence solutions.[1] Recognized for his expertise in leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve sales operations, Brero has been a prominent advocate for AI-native processes in the B2B tech industry.

Early Life and Education

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Born and raised in France, Brero attended Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, where he majored in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.[2] During his last year, he developed a prototype for filming scenes in 4D using depth capture cameras, allowing real-life scenes to be loaded into animation software like Autodesk Maya.[2]

Career

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In 2015, Brero co-founded MadKudu alongside Sam Levan and Paul Cothenet, aiming to enhance sales intelligence through predictive data analysis.[3] As the company's Chief Product Officer, he has been instrumental in shaping MadKudu’s product strategy, leading product development, and implementing innovative AI-driven processes to optimize sales efficiency.[1]

Before founding MadKudu, Brero held various roles in the tech industry, focusing on data engineering, product management, and operational efficiency. His early career involved positions at AgilOne, where he served as Director of Implementation and Sales Engineering, gaining practical experience in data analytics and customer engagement strategies.[1]

MadKudu

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MadKudu is a B2B SaaS company that integrates data from multiple sources to provide actionable insights for sales teams. The platform applies machine learning to identify high-potential leads, helping companies prioritize their sales efforts. Under Brero’s leadership, MadKudu has expanded its offerings to include real-time sales signals and AI-native contact management systems.[3]

MadKudu’s AI-driven solutions have gained traction within the industry, particularly among mid-market companies with annual contract values (ACV) around $50,000. Brero has led initiatives to make MadKudu more “AI-native,” emphasizing AI for complex operational tasks such as orchestrating lead hand-offs and researching accounts, rather than frontline tasks like writing emails.[4] This approach is also aimed at decoupling system capabilities from management complexity.[3]

The company has raised a total of $27 million in funding, with an $18 million Series A round led by Felicis Ventures.[5] In 2024, MadKudu reported annual revenue of $5.8 million and serves nearly 100 customers, including Figma, Dropbox, and Plaid.[5]

Key Contributions and Innovations

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Throughout his career, Brero has been a proponent of AI-native systems, advocating for automation and streamlined processes in sales intelligence. His work has contributed to advancements in:

  • Sales Process Optimization: Developing tools that integrate predictive analytics to streamline sales cycles.[3]
  • AI-Driven Contact Management: Building systems that enhance customer relationship management through intelligent recommendations.[3]
  • B2B SaaS Innovation: Spearheading efforts to leverage machine learning for real-time, data-driven decision-making within sales teams.[4]

Brero is also known for mentoring rising leaders within his company, including Maxime Gaudin, a top-performing engineer who was recently promoted to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of MadKudu.[3]

Recognition and Industry Impact

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Brero’s work has been featured in various industry publications, such as Intercom and TechCrunch. His thought leadership in AI and sales intelligence has positioned him as a recognized voice in the B2B SaaS sector.[4][6]

He has also appeared on multiple podcasts and webinars, discussing AI in customer support, product-led growth, data science in revenue operations, and AI design for targeted audiences.[7]

Personal Life

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Francis Brero is involved with the handball team SF Calheat. From 2016 to 2019, he played as right wing for the first team, serving as a starting player on the team that won the US national championships in 2019.[8][9] After a severe injury in 2020, he transitioned to coaching, joining the Calheat squad for the SuperGlobe in Jeddah and leading the second team to a silver medal at the 2022 Open National Championship, while the first team won gold in the Elite division.[10]

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References

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