Inside LaunchDarkly’s AI Playbook: Productivity, Pipeline and Precision Forecasting
Thu Jan 15 2026
In this episode of Sound Bites, host Bill Binch from Battery Ventures talks with Marcus Holm, President of LaunchDarkly, about how the company used AI tools, from avatars to intent platforms to forecasting engines, to dramatically improve rep productivity, pipeline generation, ramp time, deal size and overall sales performance.
Key Takeaways/Key Moments:
(00:00) Tackling Productivity and Pipeline Through AI
Marcus outlines LaunchDarkly’s challenge with inconsistent rep productivity and pipeline generation, and how the team turned to AI tools to create more prescriptive ICPs and better territory management.
(02:41) Using AI Avatars to Increase Reps’ At-Bats and Ramp Faster
AI-driven avatars became a core part of sales training, helping AEs, SEs and SDRs simulate objections, refine pitches, improve demo and POV certifications; all resulting in faster and more consistent ramp times.
(03:07) Major Performance Gains: Faster Ramp, Bigger Deals, Stronger Conversion
Across segments, AE ramp time dropped by 27 days, average deal size nearly doubled and intent-based tooling accelerated conversion from cold calls to first conversations.
(05:25) Achieving 5% Forecast Accuracy with Gong Forecasting
By layering AI-driven analysis on qualification frameworks like MEDDIC, LaunchDarkly now forecasts within 5% of actual results, giving leadership far greater predictability for planning and budgeting.
(06:20) Transforming Rep Productivity: From 18% to 48% at Quota
Two years ago only 18% of reps hit quota; today, 48% do and 80% reach at least 70%. Marcus attributes this shift to AI-driven enablement, better intent prioritization and a more disciplined operating rhythm.
Disclaimer:
This material is intended for an audience of entrepreneurs and provided for informational purposes, and it is not, and may not be relied on in any manner as, legal, tax or investment advice or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any fund or investment vehicle managed by Battery Ventures or any other Battery entity.
The information and data are as of the publication date unless otherwise noted.
Content obtained from third-party sources, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified as to its accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Battery Ventures has no obligation to update, modify or amend the content of this post nor notify its readers in the event that any information, opinion, projection, forecast or estimate included, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.
The information above may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or expectations. Predictions, opinions and other information discussed in this video are subject to change continually and without notice of any kind and may no longer be true after the date indicated. Battery Ventures assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. For a full list of all Battery investments, please visit https://www.battery.com/list-of-all-companies/
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In this episode of Sound Bites, host Bill Binch from Battery Ventures talks with Marcus Holm, President of LaunchDarkly, about how the company used AI tools, from avatars to intent platforms to forecasting engines, to dramatically improve rep productivity, pipeline generation, ramp time, deal size and overall sales performance. Key Takeaways/Key Moments: (00:00) Tackling Productivity and Pipeline Through AI Marcus outlines LaunchDarkly’s challenge with inconsistent rep productivity and pipeline generation, and how the team turned to AI tools to create more prescriptive ICPs and better territory management. (02:41) Using AI Avatars to Increase Reps’ At-Bats and Ramp Faster AI-driven avatars became a core part of sales training, helping AEs, SEs and SDRs simulate objections, refine pitches, improve demo and POV certifications; all resulting in faster and more consistent ramp times. (03:07) Major Performance Gains: Faster Ramp, Bigger Deals, Stronger Conversion Across segments, AE ramp time dropped by 27 days, average deal size nearly doubled and intent-based tooling accelerated conversion from cold calls to first conversations. (05:25) Achieving 5% Forecast Accuracy with Gong Forecasting By layering AI-driven analysis on qualification frameworks like MEDDIC, LaunchDarkly now forecasts within 5% of actual results, giving leadership far greater predictability for planning and budgeting. (06:20) Transforming Rep Productivity: From 18% to 48% at Quota Two years ago only 18% of reps hit quota; today, 48% do and 80% reach at least 70%. Marcus attributes this shift to AI-driven enablement, better intent prioritization and a more disciplined operating rhythm. Disclaimer: This material is intended for an audience of entrepreneurs and provided for informational purposes, and it is not, and may not be relied on in any manner as, legal, tax or investment advice or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any fund or investment vehicle managed by Battery Ventures or any other Battery entity. The information and data are as of the publication date unless otherwise noted. Content obtained from third-party sources, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified as to its accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Battery Ventures has no obligation to update, modify or amend the content of this post nor notify its readers in the event that any information, opinion, projection, forecast or estimate included, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate. The information above may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or expectations. Predictions, opinions and other information discussed in this video are subject to change continually and without notice of any kind and may no longer be true after the date indicated. Battery Ventures assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. For a full list of all Battery investments, please visit https://www.battery.com/list-of-all-companies/