🤖 AI Go-to-Market Strategies – What Separates Startups That Scale from Those That Stall

On December 11th, UvA Founder Space, in collaboration with Innovis VC, ASIF Ventures, Tulip Ventures, and AISO, hosted an in-depth session with Elif Kocaarslan at REC Impact, exploring what truly drives go-to-market success in AI startups.

💡 The AI landscape is crowded, but only a handful of startups actually scale. Elif unpacked the GTM principles that separate the winners from the rest, diving into the strategic decisions that determine whether an AI startup takes off or never gets off the ground.

Students learned how to understand their AI layer and adapt their GTM strategy accordingly. Infrastructure plays are fundamentally different from application plays, and B2B requires a completely different approach than B2C. Elif walked through why recognizing these distinctions early is critical to building the right sales and distribution strategy.

🔥 The session explored why hybrid GTM has become the new standard for high-performing AI teams. Instead of relying on a single sales motion, successful startups blend multiple approaches and continuously adapt as they learn what works. This agility is what allows teams to navigate the complexities of selling AI products in a rapidly evolving market.

Elif also broke down the three levers of scaling AI: distribution, monetization, and trust. Early proof of value isn't just about landing customers, it's about building credibility and long-term scalability. Students left with a clearer understanding of how to design their GTM strategy around these core principles.

🥂 After the session, attendees continued the conversation over networking drinks, exchanging insights and connecting with fellow founders, investors, and AI enthusiasts.

🌱 This event provided a strategic roadmap for anyone building or investing in AI startups. We're grateful to Elif for sharing her expertise and to our partners for making this collaboration possible.