Surge AI grew from $1M to $1.2B by acting differently, then messaging differently. How one data labeling company escaped the commodity trap with philosophy.
How Clay evolved from a general tool to a $3B category leader by refining its homepage messaging 25+ times and creating the GTM Engineer role.
AEO tools cost $500+/month to tell you what you already know: you need better content. The companies winning AI search invest in customers, not algorithms.
Your competitor's funding bought them obligations. Your constraint gives you freedom. How startups beat giants through narrative control, not features.