AI is moving faster inside enterprise software than most companies can handle, especially in coding, where development speed is now outpacing security. In this episode, Peter McKay, CEO of Snyk, breaks down how AI is changing software development, DevSecOps, and enterprise security, and what it actually takes to keep up.
We talk about how Snyk scaled from $2M to $350M ARR and what really drives that kind of growth. Peter talks openly about why he had to reinvent himself before he could transform the company, how to know when your team can’t scale with the business, and why making those decisions early is one of the hardest parts of being a CEO.
We also cover capital strategy, scaling teams, acquisitions, and what founders consistently get wrong about raising and spending money. And finally, we go deep on what it means to build in a market where competition is accelerating fast and why, in Peter’s words, you always have to be “swimming in front of the sharks.”
Inside the episode:
How AI is accelerating software development faster than security can keep upand why this is becoming a critical enterprise risk
The shift from internal AI tools to customer-facing AI applications and what breaks when you scale them
How Snyk embedded security directly into the development lifecycle
Scaling from $2M to $350M ARR: the real growth levers
Redesigning workflows for AI instead of layering tools on outdated systems
The hardest leadership challenge: knowing when your team can’t scale with the business
How to make difficult team decisions before things break
Capital strategy: when to raise, how much to raise, and why cash discipline matters
Why Snyk kept $365M in the bank
Managing boards and investor dynamics during high-pressure decisions
The reality of being a CEO
“Swimming in front of the sharks” — how to compete in a market dominated by OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic
Watch Full Episode on YouTube
About Peter McKay:
Peter McKay is a five-time CEO and one of the most experienced operators in enterprise software, with a track record of scaling and exiting multiple companies across cybersecurity and infrastructure.
He is currently the CEO of Snyk, where he led the company from just a few million in revenue to over $350M ARR, transforming it into one of the leading DevSecOps and AI security platforms. Before Snyk, Peter held CEO roles at companies including Veeam and Desktone, and has been involved in several successful exits to companies like VMware and IBM.
Known for his operator mindset, Peter focuses on execution, speed, and making decisive bets ahead of market shifts, including pushing early into AI while most companies were still experimenting.
Connect with Peter McKay:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pemckay/
Converge VC website:
https://converge.vc/
Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik/
