AI-Powered SaaS Startup CEOs to Watch in the U.S. in 2024

The Software as a Service (SaaS) market is on a trajectory to exceed $247 billion by the end of 2024, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7%. This remarkable growth is largely attributed to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which are revolutionizing product offerings and enhancing customer experiences. 

At the forefront of this transformation are the CEOs of AI SaaS startups, who excel in navigating the intricate landscape of AI technology, market demands, and ethical considerations. 

Here are the AI-powered SaaS startup CEOs to watch in the U.S. in 2024: 

Chris Jones (Interim CEO): Amperity

Chris Jones is the Interim CEO of Amperity, a role he assumed after serving as the company’s Chief Customer and Product Officer. He joined Amperity in June 2018, bringing over 25 years of experience from Microsoft, where he held various leadership positions, including Corporate Vice President for OneDrive and SharePoint, Windows, Internet Explorer, and Publisher. At Microsoft, he also co-created and directed Healthcare NExT, which focused on accelerating healthcare innovation through AI and cloud computing. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematical and computational sciences from Stanford University. 

Rohit Gupta: Auditoria.AI

Rohit Gupta is the Founder and CEO of Auditoria.AI, a leading provider of AI-driven automation solutions for corporate finance teams. A serial entrepreneur and active angel investor, Rohit has a rich history of building and scaling companies. Before founding Auditoria.AI, he was Group Vice President for Cloud Security at Oracle, having joined through Oracle’s acquisition of Palerra, a company he founded. His extensive experience includes roles at BMC Software and Oracle Corporation, where he significantly grew their Identity and Access Management market presence. Rohit holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University and is recognized as a thought leader in AI, automation, and cloud security.


Eli Finkelshteyn : Constructor

Eli Finkelshteyn is the co-founder and CEO of Constructor, an AI-driven platform specializing in e-commerce product search and discovery. With a background in data science and engineering, Eli has held roles at Tumblr, Shutterstock, and Backplane, where he honed his expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, and distributed computing. He founded Constructor in 2015 to address the limitations he observed in existing e-commerce search technologies, aiming to provide a more personalized and efficient search experience for retailers and their customers. Under his leadership, Constructor has grown rapidly, securing significant investments and partnering with major retailers to enhance their search and product discovery capabilities.

Monte Zweben: ControlRooms.ai

Monte Zweben is the Co-Founder and CEO of ControlRooms.ai, an AI-driven company focused on enhancing operational efficiency in heavy industries. A seasoned entrepreneur and AI expert, Zweben has a distinguished career that includes founding and leading multiple successful tech companies. He previously founded Red Pepper Software, which was acquired by PeopleSoft for and Blue Martini Software, which went public with a $2.9 billion IPO. Zweben also served as Deputy Branch Chief of the Artificial Intelligence Branch at NASA Ames Research Center, where he contributed to significant advancements in AI applications for space missions. He holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University.

Wasim Khaled: Blackbird.AI

Wasim Khaled is the CEO and Co-Founder of Blackbird.AI, a company focused on combating disinformation and narrative attacks using advanced AI technology. With a background in computer science and expertise in information operations, Khaled leads a team dedicated to protecting organizations from misinformation threats. Under his leadership, Blackbird.AI has developed cutting-edge solutions to detect, understand, and respond to disinformation in real-time, securing significant funding to expand its impact.

Jonah Lopin: Crayon

Jonah Lopin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Crayon, a market and competitive intelligence software platform. Prior to founding Crayon in 2015, Lopin was an early employee at HubSpot, where he served as VP of Customer Success, helping scale the company from startup to IPO. He has experience building social and mobile apps and worked as a consultant at Deloitte Consulting. Lopin holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, where he met his Crayon co-founder, John Osborne. Under Lopin’s leadership, Crayon aims to transform competitive intelligence into a software-driven discipline, helping businesses analyze and act on market movements from competitors, customers, and partners.

Charles Ifedi: eBanqo, Inc.

Charles Ifedi is the Co-Founder and CEO of eBanqo, Inc., a company specializing in AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solutions. With extensive experience in fintech and digital payments, Ifedi has held leadership roles at Verve International and Interswitch Group before founding eBanqo in 2019. Under his leadership, eBanqo helps businesses automate customer support and provide seamless interactions across various digital platforms, significantly enhancing customer service efficiency and satisfaction.

Vijay Chittoor: Blueshift

Vijay Chittoor is the Co-Founder and CEO of Blueshift, a company specializing in AI-driven customer engagement solutions for marketers. With a background in technology entrepreneurship, Chittoor leads Blueshift in its mission to unlock customer-centric engagement by making data and intelligence actionable across marketing channels. Prior to Blueshift, he co-founded Mertado, which was acquired by Groupon, and was part of the early team at Kosmix, later acquired by Walmart. Under Chittoor’s leadership, Blueshift has developed a platform that combines AI, CDP (Customer Data Platform), and marketing automation to help brands personalize and automate their cross-channel campaigns.

Diane Keng : Breinify

Diane Keng is the CEO and Co-Founder of Breinify, a leading AI platform specializing in predictive personalization for marketers. A serial entrepreneur from a young age, Keng founded three startups before turning 18 and was featured in The Wall Street Journal. After graduating with a degree in computer science, she worked at Apple and Symantec before launching Breinify in 2015. Under her leadership, Breinify has developed an AI solution that helps major organizations implement personalization at scale, significantly boosting sales for retail and consumer goods partners. Keng’s achievements were recognized when she was named on the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Enterprise Technology category.

Guy de Carufel: Cognitive Space

Guy de Carufel is the CEO and Founder of Cognitive Space, a company dedicated to developing AI-driven systems for the automation and orchestration of spacecraft operations. With extensive experience in human-rated spacecraft software, rocket guidance, and nanosatellites, his leadership at Cognitive Space focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of satellite constellations, aiming to support security, sustainability, and economic prosperity in space operations.

Alex Ramirez: CognitOps

Alex Ramirez is the Co-Founder and CEO of CognitOps, a company he founded in 2018 to revolutionize warehouse operations through AI-driven solutions. With a background in supply chain technology, Ramirez previously served as Vice President of Software Sales & Consulting at Dematic and held leadership roles at Reddwerks. Under his leadership, CognitOps aims to optimize warehouse performance by automating decision-making processes, leveraging existing data, and enhancing operational efficiency. 

Frank Faricy: XGen.Ai

Frank Faricy is the Founder and CEO of XGen.AI, a company he established in 2019 to revolutionize e-commerce through AI-driven solutions. With over a decade of experience in enhancing consumer experiences and a deep background in retail technology, Faricy leads XGen.AI in developing a Composable AI cloud platform for e-commerce teams. The company’s mission is to empower brands with user-friendly, AI-powered tools that optimize customer experiences without requiring specialized AI expertise. Under Faricy’s leadership, XGen.AI has partnered with notable brands like Sonos and Reformation, aiming to democratize access to advanced AI capabilities in the e-commerce sector.

Cyril Brignone: Vectice

Cyril Brignone is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vectice, a company specializing in AI-driven documentation and knowledge management solutions for data science teams. With a background in data science management and AI system design, Brignone leads Vectice in its mission to revolutionize how enterprises manage and document their AI and machine learning projects. Under his leadership, Vectice has secured $15.6 million in funding and joined the U.S. Government’s AI Safety Institute Consortium, highlighting its commitment to responsible AI development and governance. 

Christian Kletzl : UserGems

Christian Kletzl is the CEO and Co-Founder of UserGems, an AI-driven prospecting solution for revenue teams. Founded in 2018, UserGems helps businesses identify and engage with key prospects by leveraging machine learning to track job changes and surface potential leads. Before starting UserGems, Kletzl held roles at Google, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft, and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. His leadership has been instrumental in UserGems’ growth, enabling sales teams to drive bigger pipelines, faster sales cycles, and larger deals.