Why This CEO Is Building His Own SaaS Killer: Amit RG (RichPanel)
OPERATORS · with Amit RG · March 25, 2026 · 70 min
Summary
The CEO of RichPanel predicts the imminent disruption of traditional SaaS models within the next 12-24 months due to rapid advancements in AI, particularly in code generation and agentic customer service. He argues that companies must embrace this new "agent economy" by building AI-driven solutions and adapting quickly, or face obsolescence. The episode emphasizes the need for founders to get hands-on with AI and be prepared to pivot their core business models to survive and thrive.
Key takeaways
Traditional SaaS models are a 'dying business' – current software paradigms will be completely disrupted by AI within 12-24 months.
AI is rapidly advancing beyond code generation to encompass all software engineering tasks, including decision-making and customer interaction.
Founders must get deeply involved with AI and be prepared to pivot their core business; emotional attachment to existing products will hinder survival.
The 'agent economy' allows for rapid development of sophisticated tools (e.g., a Gainsight alternative built in a weekend), enabling non-technical users to build similar solutions in the near future.
Company structure (e.g., not being venture-backed) can offer greater flexibility to rapidly adapt to disruptive technological shifts.
Themes
ai & automationfounder & leadershipcustomer retention
What happens when the founder of a software company admits his own product is a sinking ship — and doubles down anyway? Sean Frank (CEO, Ridge) and Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) sit down with Amit RG (CEO, RichPanel) for a conversation about AI agents, the death of traditional SaaS, and what it means for ecommerce operators building teams right now. Amit doesn’t sugarcoat it. He’s walked through the five stages of grief about his own business, come out the other side, and is now betting that moving faster than the disruption is the only play. The three dig into Dario’s AI phases and what they mean for your tech stack, why customer service reps will be the first wave of AI-driven displacement, and how Sean frames every job — from Philippines call centers to legal firms — as a token problem waiting to be solved cheaper. They debate token-based pricing versus per-ticket models, explore what happens to platforms like Klaviyo in an agent-to-agent economy, and make the case that consumer brands may be the last ones standing while SaaS and services absorb the first hit. Amit closes with RichPanel’s new returns portal, already live with 31 brands, and Sean puts $10,000 on the line in a charity bet. Powered By Fulfil https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuNorthbeam https://www.northbeam.io/Saras Analytics https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescAftersell<a href=&
Traditional SaaS models are a 'dying business' – current software paradigms will be completely disrupted by AI within 12-24 months.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
AI is rapidly advancing beyond code generation to encompass all software engineering tasks, including decision-making and customer interaction.
What does this episode say about customer retention?
Founders must get deeply involved with AI and be prepared to pivot their core business; emotional attachment to existing products will hinder survival.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
The 'agent economy' allows for rapid development of sophisticated tools (e.g., a Gainsight alternative built in a weekend), enabling non-technical users to build similar solutions in the near future.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Company structure (e.g., not being venture-backed) can offer greater flexibility to rapidly adapt to disruptive technological shifts.
