Why this AI player is aggressively buying back its stock

ZoomInfo (ZI) was bootstrapped in 2007 by founder and CEO Henry Schuck with $25,000 in credit card debt. The data intelligence play started its life by focusing on small to medium-size businesses looking for ways to connect with key contacts at larger companies and better understand customers. Today, the company has entered the AI age and is fresh off posting more than $1.2 billion in annual sales. The company could eclipse that level in 2025, according to new guidance shared this week on its earnings release. So, what’s next for this under-the-radar tech player? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats with Zoominfo founder and CEO Henry Schuck to discuss just that. Schuck shares lessons on how he has grown ZoomInfo, from mistakes to best lessons learned. He also dives into how ZoomInfo will be playing in the AI space against some of its biggest competitors. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. 00:00-Henry Schuck on Opening Bid 00:45-Preparing for an earnings call 06:31-How a business innovates with AI 11:27-Stock repurchase plan 15:00-Shaping a strong business 19:30-HOT TAKE Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Henry Schuck has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ZoomInfo (formerly DiscoverOrg) since founding it in 2007. Henry led ZoomInfo as it became the first tech company to go public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the company’s acquisition of Zoom Information in 2019, he has overseen 13 acquisitions in total. Prior to founding ZoomInfo, Henry was VP of Research & Marketing at iProfile, a sales intelligence firm focused on the IT market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices