Meet Ferris

My name is Ferris XU, and I have been the CTO of AroundDeal since 2019. AroundDeal is a globally recognized B2B data intelligence platform, trusted by over 100,000 customers and users worldwide. Our database includes over 160 million contacts, providing comprehensive and accurate data, including emails and phone numbers, along with valuable company insights. With years of experience in software development, data engineering, and AI-driven analytics, I have been deeply involved in building and scaling data intelligence solutions that empower businesses with actionable insights.

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What inspired the creation of AroundDeal?

The concept of AroundDeal emerged from the increasing difficulty that businesses are facing in acquiring complete and fresh B2B contact and company information. Most companies suffer from outdated or disjointed data, resulting in inefficiencies in sales, marketing, and decision-making. Knowing this pain point, we recognized the potential to develop a platform that not only offers premium data but also AI-powered insights, which allow businesses to get in touch with the right individuals and make well-informed decisions.

What sets AroundDeal apart from other B2B data intelligence platforms?

AroundDeal stands out for several key reasons:

1. Comprehensive and Accurate Data – Our platform provides a database of over 160 million contacts with detailed company insights, ensuring that businesses have access to high-quality and verified information.
2. Focus on Asia-Pacific and Emerging Markets – Unlike many global platforms that concentrate on Western markets, AroundDeal specializes in providing high-quality B2B data for the Asia-Pacific region and emerging markets, helping businesses expand into these high-growth areas.
3. AI-Powered Insights – We leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to continuously refine our data and provide deeper insights into company structures, industry trends, and decision-maker behaviors.
4. User-Friendly Integration – AroundDeal offers seamless integration with CRM systems, email outreach tools, and other business software, making it easy for users to incorporate our data into their workflows.
5. All-in-One Solution – We provide a one-stop solution that combines contact data, company insights, AI-driven recommendations, and seamless integrations, enabling businesses to streamline their lead generation and market research efforts in a single platform.

These unique advantages make AroundDeal a trusted partner for businesses looking to scale effectively and make data-driven decisions.

Can you elaborate on the types of company insights your platform provides?

Our platform goes beyond contact details to provide detailed company intelligence, including:

• Firmographic information includes details such as company size, industry, revenue, and geographical location.
• Decision-Maker Insights – Key executives, positions, and organizational charts.
• Comprehensive Contact Details – Verified email addresses, telephone numbers, LinkedIn profiles, and other applicable details with the objective of assisting businesses in reaching the appropriate individuals.

This information helps businesses understand their target accounts better and make data-driven decisions.

How do you source and validate your database of 160 million contacts?

We employ a multi-layered approach in the sourcing and verification of our information:

1. Proprietary AI and Web Crawlers – Our system continuously scans publicly available sources, company websites, and business directories.
2. User-Submitted Data & Community Verification – We have a large network of verified users submitting and verifying contact data.
3. AI-Powered Data Cleansing – Our machine learning algorithms check data against various sources to deliver accuracy, freshness, and compliance with global data privacy regulations.

How has AI and machine learning impacted your platform’s functionality?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are at the core of making AroundDeal more accurate, efficient, and user-friendly. Some of the primary uses are:

• Automated Data Enrichment – AI assists in completing missing data and refreshing stale data in real time.
• Duplicate Removal & Data Quality Improvement – Our solution identifies and removes duplicate or aged records, ensuring companies work with clean and uniform data.

How do you see the B2B data intelligence market evolving?

B2B data intelligence industry is evolving rapidly with more emphasis on AI-driven insights, real-time accuracy of data, and privacy regulations. Some of the notable trends include:

• AI-Based Decision-Making – Businesses are now leveraging AI to sift through large data sets and predict customer behavior.
• Stricter Privacy & Compliance Laws – Companies must deal with more rigid data protection laws, making ethical and compliant data sourcing a necessity.

Integration with Sales and Marketing Automation has become a priority for many businesses, as they seek seamless data integration with their existing CRM and outreach tools to enhance workflow efficiency.

What are your views on the importance of data-driven decision-making in SaaS?

At the center of today’s SaaS success is data-driven decision-making. Organizations that use accurate data can:

• Identify the right prospects and engage with them more effectively.
• Maximize marketing ROI by targeting the most pertinent audiences.
• Increase customer loyalty through the monitoring of usage patterns and trends.

If SaaS companies lack data intelligence, they can make decisions based on assumptions rather than facts, hence losing chances and misdirecting efforts.

What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur in the SaaS space?

To future SaaS entrepreneurs, my initial suggestion would be:

1. Emphasis on Solving an Actual Problem – Top SaaS products solve an actual pain point for companies.
2. Take advantage of AI & Automation – Scalability and efficiency are paramount in the market today.
3. Data Privacy & Compliance First – Be transparent and compliant with data laws, and it will set you apart.
4. Iterate Based on Customer Feedback – Create a product that continues to change based on user requirements.

Did you enjoy our interview? Do you have anything to say to our community?

It was truly a pleasure to share insights about AroundDeal and the realm of B2B data intelligence. To the esteemed SaaSPirate community, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your keen interest! If you’re eager to elevate your sales and marketing endeavors with dependable B2B data, we warmly invite you to explore AroundDeal and discover how it can empower your business.