Ariel Winton-Jones is the founder of The Aligned Fund, where she invests in B2B software companies at the earliest signs of product-market fit. We talked about services as software, what B2B looks like in the age of AI, and why intentional investing can be a real edge.

Ariel explains how her thinking evolved from traditional B2B SaaS into what she calls “services as software.” In a world where AI is changing what software can do, she’s most excited by businesses that don’t just give users tools, but actually deliver outcomes that once required human labor. Instead of software as a DIY layer, she argues that the next wave of great B2B companies will solve the problem itself.

We also talk about Ariel’s investing style and why she operates with unusual intention in a market that often rewards speed. She shares why she likes to meet founders early, spend real time understanding how they think, and build conviction through deep diligence rather than just pattern matching from a deck. A big part of the conversation is her focus on early product-market fit and why she believes that stage is more knowable than many investors assume.

Ariel also breaks down why she remains so committed to B2B software. We discuss why B2B has proven resilient, how AI is expanding the kinds of markets that can support venture-scale outcomes, and why there is no single right way to price or sell software. What matters most, she argues, is fit between the product, the customer, and the value being delivered.

Finally, we discuss concentration, reserves, and what venture often gets wrong. Ariel explains why she prefers a low-velocity, high-conviction approach, why she keeps reserves low, and why the best early-stage investing often comes from going much deeper on fewer opportunities. It’s a conversation about software, judgment, and how to invest thoughtfully when both technology and venture are changing fast.

Investing in Startups is produced by Seaplane Ventures and hosted by Joe Magyer.