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Randle: Monetizing inference margins unlocks unprecedented AI revenue scaling

Ev Randle · Benchmark's AI Bets: Cerebras, Sierra, Legora, Fireworks, Starcloud, Gumloop.. · Sourcery with Molly O'Shea · Jun 29, 2026 · at 17:56

Benchmark General Partner Ev Randle explains why AI business model dynamics outpace traditional per-seat SaaS scaling curves.

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“When you hear about all these companies, and you hear about all of these businesses that are going not like, you know, one to three to nine to 20, like they used to, but are going one to 20 to a hundred, or one to 30 to 300, all of that can be traced back to the enablement of a business model via inference, because the business model used to be, you know, we're going to charge some raw dollar amount times some amount of heads within your company, and now It is, hey, we're going to charge some calculation of making a margin essentially on the inference that we're reselling you”

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Assertion Not checkable as stated
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