u/RuleGuilty493

Hi YC gurus!

My cofounder and I are working on are a pre-launch, AI platform targeting companies wanting to switch to open-source models for their generic LLM use and trying to crack real 0-1 conversations with potential customers. Trying to score actual calls where we learn something.

What I've tried so far:

• Cold emails
• Linkedin DMs
• Local events in the Amsterdam area

So far not getting much love, only managed to have a couple of conversations with companies that have spend >$10k per month on LLM. Cold outbound is barely landing and I can't tell whether that's my targeting, my copy, or just inbox saturation. So, question to founders who've done successfully recently:

1. Did you bring in outside help — fractional GTM, sales consultant, agency that books discovery calls, a research firm for recruiting participants? Which ones, what did it cost, and would you do it again? I'd take specific names or the opposite ("don't bother").
2. If you did it yourself, what's the actual stack in 2026? Where does AI genuinely help — list building and enrichment, personalisation, call notes — and where did it make things worse?
3. Are paid conference booths worth it at this stage?
4. What channel gave you the highest ratio of *useful* conversations per hour spent?

I am trying to figure out whether hiring someone for this makes sense or if it's a waste of time, we suck it up and keep trying?