This Week in Startups

Latest Episodes:

Why VCs care about ownership percentage + Flowcarbon CEO Dana Gibber | E1581 Oct 09, 2022

Show notes

First, Jason explains why many VCs focus on ownership percentage and maintaining ownership throughout an investment life cycle. (1:40) Then, Molly welcomes Flowcarbon CEO Dana Gibber to break down her blockchain-based carbon credits solution! (23:04)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments!

(1:40) VC Sunday School: Why many VCs obsess over ownership percentage

(9:19) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(10:53) Jason uses a table to explain dilution over an investments life cycle and why ownership percentage matters

(21:43) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist

(23:04) Molly welcomes Flowcarbon CEO and Co-Founder Dana Gibber; Dana explains how she got involved with Adam and Rebekah Neumann and Flowcarbon's core offering

(36:58) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist

(38:29) Dana breaks down carbon offsets

(51:14) Dana explains the blockchain verification aspect of Flowcarbon

(58:38) How Flowcarbon plans to make money, why doing this on the blockchain is the best solution

Check out Flowcarbon: https://www.flowcarbon.com

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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

US chip industry update, fixing education, Amazon allegations + OK Boomer | E1580 Oct 08, 2022

Show notes

First up, J+M discuss new developments in the US chip industry, including tighter restrictions on exports and a massive new investment in an upstate NY factory! (4:57) They also cover fixing US education (12:37) and a shocking lawsuit against Amazon. (27:58) Then, Producer Rachel is joined by Verci Co-Founders Ami and An on OK Boomer! (40:03)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments!

(1:57) Molly and Jason catch up on Friday!

(4:57) US clamps down on chip exports to China, Micron brings chip plant to Upstate NY

(11:22) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(12:37) Fixing US education

(24:26) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in fine art using at https://Masterworks.com/twist

(25:48) CHIPS positivity

(27:58) Amazon lawsuit with shocking allegations

(38:51) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(40:03) Producer Rachel is joined by Verci Co-Founders Ami and An to talk about their community group

Ask Jason! + Streaming news with Lon Harris | E1579 Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Jason opens the show by answering listener questions for 20+ minutes! (1:19) Then, Lon Harris joins to break down Netflix's new mega-hit, the death of network TV, and more! (30:22)

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

(1:19) How founders building hardware and deep tech products can more efficiently raise capital

(3:58) Settling Co-Founder disputes

(8:28) Jason's thoughts on Seattle as a place to live and as a startup hub

(9:58) Is now the right time to jump to FAANG with a high-paying role?

(13:06) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year of Vitamin D free and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist

(14:20) Benefits of taking VC for a founder that's already successfully bootstrapping

(19:40) How There Will Be Blood relates to entrepreneurship

(23:35) Is there an age cutoff for investing in founders?

(28:56) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist

(30:22) Lon Harris joins the show to discuss the biggest stories in streaming

(34:17) Netflix has a new hit show about Jeffrey Dahmer

(38:48) Babbel - Save up to 55% off your language learning subscription at https://babbel.com/twist

(39:59) Understanding Netflix's numbers with the Dahmer show, and the financials around the show's creator Ryan Murphy

(47:30) Network TV is dying, Comedy Central's big mistake, and more general streaming talk

FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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

Twitter ideas, Elizabeth Holmes trial update, universal USB-C + Ellevest's Sallie Krawcheck | E1578 Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

J+M start the show by suggesting some Twitter product ideas (1:59), before ripping through a lightning round of news. (16:26) Then, Molly welcomes Ellevest CEO and Co-Founder Sallie Krawcheck to kick off another season of The Next Unicorns! (31:09)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's topics!

(1:59) Jason suggests some Twitter product ideas

(14:48) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn

(16:26) News lightning round: Elizabeth Holmes has sentencing postponed due to incident with a key witness, Europe votes in favor of universal USB-C charging

(28:55) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(31:09) Ellevest CEO Sallie Krawcheck joins Molly to discuss her women-focused investing platform

(39:06) Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice

(40:31) Ellevest total assets, launch story, COVID's harsher impact on women

(51:39) Sallie's background on Wall Street, turning haters into customers

(1:00:13) Sallie shares thoughts on the current macro environment

Check out Ellevest: https://www.ellevest.com

FOLLOW Sallie: https://twitter.com/salliekrawcheck

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Ellevest State of Women's Financial Wellness in 2022: https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.assets.ellevest.com/documents/Ellevest-The-State-of-Womens-Financial-Wellness-in-2022.pdf

Twitter deal updates, Poshmark acquired, Liquid Death's $700M valuation & more | E1577 Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

First J+M say as much as they can about the Twitter news (2:03), before breaking down Poshmark being acquired by Naver (6:38). Then, they break down Liquid Death's $700M valuation (34:05) and Selena Gomez raising at a $100M valuation for her pre-revenue mental health startup. (46:05)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's topics!

(2:03) Elon Musk proposes closing the Twitter deal at the agreed-upon price of $54.20/share

(6:38) Poshmark acquired by Naver

(15:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(17:06) The booming "circular economy" space, Naver's acquisition thesis, "Goodwill Finds", Google's circular economy program

(26:54) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(28:17) Jason's ideas for a circular economy startup

(34:05) Liquid Death raises $70M at a $700M valuation, on pace for ~$130M revenue in 2022

(38:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(40:06) Importance of branding and packaging in CPG

(46:05) Selena Gomez raises $5M at a $100M valuation from Serena Williams VC firm for her startup Wondermind, mental health startup space

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Tesla AI Day, SEC charges Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting token, Section 230 & more | E1576 Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

Monday! First up, J+M go down the rabbit hole on Tesla AI Day, what impact some form of general AI might have on the world, and more! (2:09) Then, the duo covers the SEC charging Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting a token (35:29), before wrapping with the SCOTUS announcing they will hear two cases regarding Section 230. (59:05)

(0:00) J+M tee up Monday's topics!

(2:09) J+M open with some thoughts on Tesla's AI Day

(11:48) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/twist

(13:21) What could the advancement of AI do for creating businesses and humanity as a whole?

(24:24) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist

(25:50) Examples of what impact general AI might have on the future, Tesla's AI advantage

(34:15) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(35:29) SEC charges Kim Kardashian with unlawfully promoting crypto token

(59:05) SCOTUS will hear two cases regarding Section 230, how algorithms play into the publisher vs. platform debate

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

How VCs decide to sell a position + Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz | E1575 Oct 02, 2022

Show notes

On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position. (2:01) Then, Molly is joined by Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz to discuss his startup, Future, which offers a climate-friendly debit card! (21:28)

(0:00) J+M tee up topics for Sunday!

(2:01) On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position

(9:07) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(10:14) Jason talks about his fund management strategy

(18:13) Molly tees up today's TWiCS guest!

(19:54) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(21:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz joins to discuss his climate-focused debit card

(31:10) Harmonic - Get $4000 off at https://harmonic.ai/twist

(32:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz breaks down Future's business model

Check out Future: https://www.future.green

FOLLOW Jean-Louis: https://twitter.com/thefuturescore

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

The virtuous cycle of tech startups, Mr. Beast turns down $1B offer + OK Boomer: Taylor Bell | E1574 Oct 01, 2022

Show notes

First up, J+M discuss the virtuous cycle of tech startups (2:15) before breaking down Mr. Beast turning down a $1B acquisition offer for his media business (24:58). Then, Producer Rachel is joined by content creator Taylor Bell to discuss her lessons from growing a brand to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job. (39:02)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments!

(2:15) Demystifying "Friends and Family" rounds, history of angel investing

(10:32) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year free of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist

(11:57) The virtuous cycle of tech startups, angel investing

(23:53) Paperclip - Go to getpaperclip.com/twist to get the app free for life

(24:58) Mr. Beast turned down a $1B acquisition offer for his media company

(33:24) Producer Rachel joins to tee up today's OK Boomer guest!

(37:45) MasterClass - Get 15% off an annual membership at https://masterclass.com/startups

(39:02) Taylor Bell joins Producer Rachel to discuss starting and growing a YouTube channel to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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

FOLLOW Taylor: https://youtube.com/taylorbell

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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

Meta's text-to-video tool, Zuck's grand plan, Vision Fund to cut staff 30% + $WBD lawsuit | E1573 Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

J+M discuss Meta's new text-to-video tool and what the future of creativity might look like (2:59), then they break down Zuck's grand plan (14:49) before discussing what a recession might mean for startups (27:18) and SoftBank reportedly cutting 30% of its Vision Fund staff. (36:41)

(0:00) J+M intro today's segments!

(2:59) Meta announces text-to-video tool

(13:33) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(14:49) Breaking down Zuckerberg's grand plan

(21:58) Meta freezes hiring, signals that we've entered a recession

(25:52) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(27:18) How a recession and big tech layoffs will impact startups

(35:28) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(36:41) SoftBank is reportedly planning to cut at least 30% of Vision Fund staff

(41:29) Jason welcomes Lon Harris and the pair discuss HBO's House of the Dragon and its 10-year time jump

(51:37) Warner Bros Discovery sued for allegedly misrepresenting HBO Max subscribers by 10M during the Discover / WarnerMedia merger

(57:48) Favorite actors to watch doing anything, rockstars in today's world

(1:03:03) CCP censors a popular film for its realistic depiction of rural life in China

FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons

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

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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

Apple allows in-app NFT purchases + Bitcoin's role during global macro headwinds | E1572 Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Sunny Madra and Vinny Lingham are BACK for another crypto roundtable! First up, a full breakdown of the current NFT space: Apple allowing in-app NFT purchases (1:35), best uses cases & platforms for distribution (15:07). Then, they discuss Bitcoin's role during global macroeconomic headwinds. (37:46)

(0:00) J+M tee up today's crypto roundtable!

(1:35) Apple allows in-app purchases of NFTs

(13:33) TripActions - Go to https://tripactions.com/twist and get a $500 Amazon gift card after making your first travel booking OR paying off your first $1000 of liquid spend

(15:07) NFT use cases, best platforms for minting and distributing NFTs seamlessly

(26:19) WorkOS - Go to https://workos.com to learn how to make your app enterprise-ready.

(27:49) NFT platforms adopting open standards to reach critical mass

(31:38) Celsius reportedly plans to issue "IOU" tokens representing its debt

(36:28) Spokn - Get 3 months free at https://getspokn.com/twist

(37:46) Global macro headwinds, Bitcoin's role in the monetary system going forward