hot take: the rise of the forward deployment operator

The playbook for scaling from $10M to $100M is dead. For decades, the formula was simple: raise cheap capital, hire $400K executives, and hope they figure it out. But capital isn't cheap anymore, AI has transformed every GTM function, and scaling efficiently is non-negotiable. The Rise of the Forward Deployment Operator (FDO) We are witnessing a massive shift toward embedded GTM transformation experts—operators who don't just advise from high-level slide decks, but deploy, embed with your team, and drive real outcomes. In this LinkedIn Live, I'm sitting down with Sangram Vajre (Co-founder of GTM Partners, 2x $100M+ exits, WSJ Bestselling Author) to break down why the traditional scaling model broke and how FDOs are taking over.