This Week in Startups

Latest Episodes:

Crypto's de-platforming and the balkanization of AI with Vinny Lingham | E1710 Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Vinny Lingham joins Jason to break down the state of crypto's de-platforming by the US government. They discuss recent happenings with Coinbase (2:13), Balaji's Bitcoin bet (20:00), Binance (38:23), SBF (44:07), and more! Then, they wrap with a discussion about the coming balkanization of AI (52:54).

(0:00) Jason tees up today's topics

(2:13) Coinbase's Wells notice & the state of crypto

(8:08) Pilot - Get 20% off the first 6 months at https://pilot.com/twist

(9:36) Clarity within the crypto industry

(15:06) The future of Bitcoin in the US

(18:29) Orgspace - Get $2000 in credits at http://orgspace.io/twist

(20:00) Balaji's bet and hyperinflation

(25:50) A debate on whether to short Coinbase

(36:52) Issuu - Sign up for free or get 50% off an annual premium account by using promo code twist at https://issuu.com/podcast

(38:23) CFTC sues Binance

(44:07) SBF's indictment

(49:00) Why is the government clamping down on crypto?

(52:54) The balkanization of AI

FOLLOW Vinny: https://twitter.com/vinnylingham

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

Startup pitch competition: Jason invests $25K live! | E1709 Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Jason hosts another pitch competition featuring three startups from our Founder University program! Apply for Founder University: https://course.founder.university

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:58) Kelly and Presh discuss reactions from the Founder University community

(6:47) Presentation 1: Kevin O'Connell, Founder and CEO of Kapsule

(12:08) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at ⁠https://Squarespace.com/TWIST⁠

(13:38) Presentation 2: Julien Hoachuck, Founder of ArkiTask

(19:48) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at ⁠https://Embroker.com/twist ⁠

(21:10) Presentation 3: David Axelrod, Founder of Open Insure

(32:07) CacheFly - Get 10 terabytes free by signing up at ⁠https://twist.cachefly.com ⁠

(33:28) Deliberations

(37:36) Jason's thoughts on the three companies

(41:13) Key takeaways from Founder University

(46:22) How to learn more about Founder University

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Presh: https://twitter.com/preshdkumar

FOLLOW Kelly: https://twitter.com/KSchricks

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

Alibaba's six-way split, Disney cuts its metaverse team, Substack's raise & more | E1708 Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Producer Rachel joins Jason to break down the latest tech news. They cover AOC's arguments against banning TikTok (2:29), Alibaba's six-way split (18:43), Disney's metaverse cuts (28:17), Substack's equity crowdfunding (39:16), Lyft's precarious position, and more! (55:09) Then, Jason breaks down the case for shorting Coinbase. (1:12:14)

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(2:29) Reacting to AOC's arguments to not ban TikTok

(13:39) LMNT - Get a free sample pack with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/TWIST

(15:09) The CCP's interest in TikTok

(18:43) Alibaba's six-way split

(26:49) Mercury - Banking built for startups. See more at https://mercury.com/twist

(28:17) Disney sunsetting its Metaverse division

(38:09) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at http://crowdbotics.com/twist

(39:16) Substack's equity crowdfunding

(55:09) Lyft's precarious position

(1:04:18) Twitter shutters legacy verification badges

(1:12:14) Laying out the Coinbase short argument

FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun

FOLLOW Nick: https://twitter.com/nickcalacanis

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

First Citizens acquires SVB, the daunting reality of AI & Refiberd CEO Sarika Bajaj | E1707 Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Jason starts the show by discussing First Citizens acquiring SVB's assets (2:03) before diving into a Reddit post detailing how generative AI changed a 3D artist's job overnight (9:09). Jason wraps by interviewing Sarika Bajaj, the CEO, and Co-founder of Refiberd, as she dives into the reality of the recycling process, how they are using spectroscopy to recycle textiles, and more (20:28)!

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(2:03) A breakdown of First Citizens' purchase of SVB

(8:05) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(9:09) Reddit Post: A radical change for 3D artists

(18:59) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(20:28) Sarika Bajaj, CEO of Refiberd joins Jason

(21:00) What happens to our textiles?

(25:20) Refiberd's solution

(30:31) Solving for inefficiencies in the recycling process

(38:05) Brilliant.org - Get 20% off an annual subscription at http://brilliant.org/twist

(39:33) The state of recycling today

(49:23) Raising capital in today's market

(54:25) Navigating gate SVB collapse

FOLLOW Sarika: https://refiberd.com/

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

Acquired's Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal on private markets, ZIRP impact, future of Amazon | E1706 Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Acquired co-hosts Ben and David are BACK to discuss the state of the VC market and YC shutting down its Continuity Fund (6:20) before diving into industries that benefitted from ZIRP (26:35). They also break down which social apps they want to own and why (45:29). Then, Ben and Jason wrap up the show by discussing the future of Amazon and Starfish Space, a new space startup (1:11:48)

(0:00) Nick tees up today's topics

(1:36) David's time at Stanford

(6:20) Ben's private market snapshot

(8:49) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(10:19) David's private market snapshot

(16:19) Reacting to YC closing down its Continuity Fund

(25:35) QuickNode - Go to http://quicknode.com/ and use the code TWIST for a free month on their feature-packed Build Plan

(26:35) Industries that benefitted from ZIRP

(35:08) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20

(36:36) How compelling is AI?

(45:29) Owning either Instagram, Linked In, or YouTube

(48:15) Rational and Wildcard: Who is likely to acquire TikTok?

(53:44) Twitter product development

(1:00:51) Reclaiming lost time

(1:11:48) The future of Amazon

(1:19:57) Apple to spend $1B on producing theatrical releases + Project Titan

(1:25:21) SOTD: Keeping satellites on course with Starfish Space

FOLLOW Ben: https://twitter.com/gilbert

FOLLOW David: https://twitter.com/djrosent

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

TikTok CEO grilled in front of Congress, Coinbase's Wells Notice & Do Kwon arrested | E1705 Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Jason kicks off today's episode by reacting to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's testimony in front of Congress (1:41) before delving into the news that Coinbase was served a Wells notice by the SEC (22:57). Then, he discusses the reports that Do Kwon has been arrested in Montenegro (32:35) before wrapping up with more information on China and TikTok (35:44).

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:41) Jason reacts to Shou Zi Chew's testimony in front of Congress

(6:14) China's use of private companies to manipulate its population

(11:02) Linode - Apply to Linode's Rise program for up to six figures in discounts at https://linode.com/twist

(12:29) TikTok's ability to influence our youth

(16:48) Chinese espionage

(21:27) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(22:57) SEC serves Coinbase a Wells Notice

(31:19) Clumio - Visit https://clumio.com/twist to start a free backup or sign up for a demo

(32:35) Do Kwon arrested in Montenegro

(35:44) More information on China and TikTok

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

ANGEL: Freestyle's Jenny Lefcourt on nailing non-consensus bets and avoiding hype | E1704 Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Jenny Lefcourt of Freestyle VC joins Jason for an insightful conversation. They delve into the mission of All Raise and the importance of diversity in venture capital (2:04). Jenny shares her thoughts on embracing non-consensus bets and her experiences investing in Narvar and Discord (20:04). Additionally, they discuss the value of strategy meetings in comparison to traditional board meetings (59:10).

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(2:04) Co-Founding All Raise: Promoting Diversity in Venture Capital

(9:53) Prenuvo - Save $300 on Full Body Scans at http://prenuvo.com/twist

(11:23) Biases Towards Certain Business Models

(15:05) Identifying and Avoiding Unsuccessful Business Models

(18:54) LinkedIn Jobs - Post Your First Job for Free at https://linkedIn.com/angel

(20:04) Embracing Non-Consensus Bets

(22:53) Jenny's Investment in Narvar

(28:16) Understanding the Economics of a Seed Fund

(35:14) Comparing Hype: Generative AI versus Web 3.0

(40:47) Miro - Collaborate with Unlimited Team Members for Free at https://miro.com/startups/

(42:28) Insights from Jenny's Investment in Discord

(47:05) Attaining Product-Market Fit and Making a Significant Impact

(56:56) Exiting Deals: When to Move On

(59:10) Strategy Meetings Compared to Board Meetings

(1:04:04) Jenny's Ideal Timeline for Committing to Investments

FOLLOW Jenny: https://twitter.com/jennylefcourt

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

Startup pitch competition! Jason invests $25K into one of four founders | E1703 Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast, we have a new format for you! Jason will hear four pitches from Founder University participants and choose ONE startup to invest $25K in! (1:45)

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show and explains the pitch format!

(1:45) Jason brings on Presh and Kelly to explain the fundamentals of Founder University and introduces today's pitches!

(13:44) ⁠Squarespace - Use code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(16:18) George Lam pitches Fantastic Funding

(21:18) Naman Dwivedi pitches Promptify

(25:59) Pilot - Go to https://pilot.com/twist for 20% off your first 6 months

(27:30) Phil Boucher pitches OpenSpot

(34:00) Matt Edminster pitches Renegade Labs

(39:22) ⁠Fennel - Join the waitlist and get your first month free at http://fennel.com/twist

(40:35) Kelly and Presh's pick for best return for LPs

(45:33) The live audience votes!

(50:22) What Founder University meant to these Founders

(53:39) Jason makes his decision on who will receive $25K

Check out the startups!:

https://fantasticfunding.com

https://www.promptify.ai

https://www.findopenspot.com

https://www.renegadelabs.io

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Presh: https://twitter.com/preshdkumar

FOLLOW Kelly: https://twitter.com/KSchricks

Balaji's $1M Bitcoin bet, banking crisis update, OpenAI launches GPT-4, and Jay Trading! | E1702 Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Rachel Reporting joins Jason to read the news! First, they give an update on the banking crisis and how it's impacting startups (1:34). Then, they cover Balaji's huge Bitcoin bet and his predictions for the future (14:17) before breaking down OpenAI's launch of GPT-4 (35:07). Finally, Jason wraps up with some Jay Trading updates (57:28)!

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:34) Banking crisis update & how it affects startups

(10:11) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(11:14) Best practices for banking

(14:17) Balaji's huge Bitcoin bet

(22:18) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(23:42) Balaji's predictions for the future

(32:41) Ray Dalio's The Changing World Order

(33:46) CacheFly - Get 10 Terabyte free forever if you signup at http://twist.cachefly.com

(35:07) A breakdown of OpenAI's launch of GPT-4

(57:28) Jay Trade update

FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

FOUNDERS! Subscribe to the Founder University podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/founder-university/id1648407190

ANGEL: Laurie Yoler on investing early in Tesla, strategic partnerships, and her VC career | E1701 Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Molly is joined by Laurie Yoler as they dive into her early experiences in VC before discussing how she became the first investor in Tesla (1:45). Next, Laurie talks about her time at Qualcomm and Playground then they wrap with a discussion about AI and how Laurie's investments were impacted by the pandemic (30:31).

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(1:45) Arriving in Venture

(7:36) Laurie's first investments

(13:39) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://linkedIn.com/angel and post your first job for free.

(14:49) Investing in Tesla

(21:21) Prenuvo - Get $300 off at http://prenuvo.com/twist

(22:51) Raising money for a car company

(26:22) Finding strategic partners

(30:31) Laurie's time at Qualcomm and autonomous vehicles

(37:11) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(38:42) Joining Playground

(41:29) Leaf Logistics