This page provides details about Clay (organization,product) which was ranked #44 out of 100 in the list of brands (8 mentions (0.7% share)) in answers from AI models (Anthropic Claude Sonnet (latest), OpenAI ChatGPT Latest, X.AI Grok (latest)) when they were asked the following 3 questions: "If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.", "What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.", "What are the best CRM Software options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space." on Dec 30, 2025 by AI Chat Watch.
If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] le Workspace users
4. **[Close](https://www.close.com/)** - CRM designed for inside sales teams with built-in calling
5. **[Streak](https://www.streak.com/)** - CRM that works entirely within Gmail
6. **[Affinity](https://www.affinity.co/)** - Relationship intelligence CRM for deal-makers
7. **[Clay](https://clay.com/)** - AI-powered relationship management tool
## Influential Experts & Thought Leaders
### CRM Strategists & Consultants
1. **Brent Leary** - [Twitter/X: @BrentLeary](https://twitter.com/BrentLeary) - CRM analyst and co-founder of CRM Essentials
- **[CRM Essentials](https:// [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] ## 6) Emerging startups / newer entrants that show momentum
“Modern CRM” and adjacent tools gaining attention (especially among startups/SMBs and teams wanting less-heavyweight systems):
- [Attio](https://attio.com/) (modern, flexible CRM)
- [Folk](https://www.folk.app/) (relationship-first CRM)
- [Clay](https://clay.com/) (GTМ enrichment/workflows often paired with CRMs)
- [Affinity](https://www.affinity.co/) (relationship intelligence CRM, popular in VC/PE and deal-driven orgs)
- [Vitally](https://www.vitally.io/) (customer success platform that often complements CRM)
---
## 7) Key trends shap [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best CRM Software options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] ### Promising Startups and New Market Entrants
Emerging CRMs leveraging AI, no-code, and modern data:
- **Attio**: AI-native CRM for teams, flexible objects. Raised $100M+ Series B. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Folk**: European no-code CRM with integrations. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Clay**: AI-enriched CRM for sales enrichment. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Gong**: Revenue intelligence (CRM-adjacent), integrates with CRMs. [Gong](https://www.gong.io/).
- **Lavender**: AI sales email coach for CRMs. [Lavender](https://www.lavender.ai/).
Backed by reports like [CB Insights CRM [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] Emerging CRMs leveraging AI, no-code, and modern data:
- **Attio**: AI-native CRM for teams, flexible objects. Raised $100M+ Series B. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Folk**: European no-code CRM with integrations. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Clay**: AI-enriched CRM for sales enrichment. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Gong**: Revenue intelligence (CRM-adjacent), integrates with CRMs. [Gong](https://www.gong.io/).
- **Lavender**: AI sales email coach for CRMs. [Lavender](https://www.lavender.ai/).
Backed by reports like [CB Insights CRM Startups](https://www.cbinsights.com/research/r [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] tives**: Salesforce World Tour [Salesforce Events](https://www.salesforce.com/events/), Microsoft Business Applications Summit [Microsoft Events](https://events.microsoft.com/).
### Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
- **Attio**: AI-native CRM for modern teams. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Clay**: Data-enriched CRM automation. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Folk**: Flexible, people-first CRM. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Gong**: Revenue intelligence (CRM enhancer). [Gong](https://www.gong.io/).
- Reviews: [G2 Emerging CRM](https://www.g2.com/categories/emerging-crm).
### Key Pu [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] rce Events](https://www.salesforce.com/events/), Microsoft Business Applications Summit [Microsoft Events](https://events.microsoft.com/).
### Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
- **Attio**: AI-native CRM for modern teams. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Clay**: Data-enriched CRM automation. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Folk**: Flexible, people-first CRM. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Gong**: Revenue intelligence (CRM enhancer). [Gong](https://www.gong.io/).
- Reviews: [G2 Emerging CRM](https://www.g2.com/categories/emerging-crm).
### Key Publications and Media Channels to Stay I [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] Godard Abel** (G2 CEO, CRM influencer), **Arvind Krishna** (IBM CEO, Watson CRM ties).
## Emerging Startups and Trends
**Emerging Startups**:
- **Attio**: AI-native, flexible CRM for modern teams. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Folk**: No-code CRM for startups. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Clay**: AI sales automation/CRM hybrid. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Bardeen**: AI workflow automation for CRM. [Bardeen](https://www.bardeen.ai/).
- Track via [Crunchbase CRM Startups](https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/crm-startups).
**Key Trends** (per [Gartner's 2024 CRM Trends](https://www.gartn [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] *Arvind Krishna** (IBM CEO, Watson CRM ties).
## Emerging Startups and Trends
**Emerging Startups**:
- **Attio**: AI-native, flexible CRM for modern teams. [Attio](https://attio.com/).
- **Folk**: No-code CRM for startups. [Folk](https://www.folk.app/).
- **Clay**: AI sales automation/CRM hybrid. [Clay](https://www.clay.com/).
- **Bardeen**: AI workflow automation for CRM. [Bardeen](https://www.bardeen.ai/).
- Track via [Crunchbase CRM Startups](https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/crm-startups).
**Key Trends** (per [Gartner's 2024 CRM Trends](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights [...]