This Week in Startups

Latest Episodes:

Adobe acquires Figma for $20B, Patagonia founder donates profits + Streaming consolidation | E1561 Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

J+M kickoff the show by discussing Adobe acquiring Figma for $20B! (2:30) Then, they cover Patagonia's founder donates nearly all profits to solve climate change. (21:53) Finally, Lon Harris joins to discuss streaming consolidation, consumer burnout, and some interesting new projects! (46:36)

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

(2:30) Adobe acquires Figma for $20B in a cash and stock deal!

(14:42) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(16:12) Post-merger thesis, large deal user diligence

(21:53) Patagonia founder donates his profits to solving climate change

(29:46) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist

(31:08) Lon Harris joins to break down the state of streaming: consolidation is coming

(37:26) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(38:49) More cuts coming to $WBD, price increases coming to Disney+ and other services, streaming fatigue

(46:36) New content to keep an eye on!: new Blade Runner series green lit at Amazon, Spotify series coming to Netflix, and more

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

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

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

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Crypto news: Do Kwon arrest warrant, ETH merge, Orange DAO + The Blueprint Part 10 | E1560 Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

First up, Jason is back with the tenth and FINAL edition of The Blueprint, where he explains the seven ways to create wealth (2:12). Then, Vinny and Sunny join J+M for a crypto roundtable, covering: Do Kwon's arrest warrant (24:04), the ETH merge (49:54), an Orange DAO breakdown (1:14:24), and more!

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

(2:12) The Blueprint Part 10: The seven ways to create wealth

(13:01) Visa - Learn more about Visa's online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub

(13:57) The Blueprint Part 10 continued: The seven ways to create wealth

(19:20) J+M catch up on the current state of early-stage dealmaking

(22:39) Brave - Download today at https://brave.com/twist to browse faster, search privately and so much more

(24:04) Vinny and Sunny join! First topic: a South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for Do Kwon

(36:51) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(38:07) How to make crypto safer for retail investors

(49:54) ETH merge, insane stats on crypto power usage

(1:14:24) Orange DAO breakdown

(1:33:23) Vinny challenges Jason's Disney Jay Trade

FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep

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

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

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

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Bob Iger joins VC firm as venture partner, Twitter whistleblower hearing, KKR tokenizes fund | E1559 Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

First up, J+M discuss Bob Iger joining Thrive Capital as a venture partner (2:09), then they break down the most interesting moments from the Twitter whistleblower hearings (24:48). After that, they discuss KKR tokenizing part of its new healthcare fund (57:43), before wrapping on the Launch House allegations. (1:06:22)

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

(2:09) Legendary former Disney CEO Bob Iger joins Thrive Capital as venture partner

(12:23) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist

(13:45) How Iger linked up with Josh Kushner, false perceptions of VCs

(23:32) Dell For Startups - Apply for Dell for Startups and get an additional 10% off at http://dell.com/twist

(24:48) J+M react to clips from Twitter whistleblower Peiter "Mudge" Zatko's congressional hearing today

(33:13) Assure - To get 20% off your first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) visit https://Assure.co/twist

(34:33) More clips from the hearing and reflections on Twitter's security issues

(57:43) KKR tokenizes part of its new healthcare fund to allow QPs to invest more easily

(1:06:22) Launch House allegations

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

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

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Bolt cancels $1.5B Wyre deal, $ROKU adds TikTok-style feature, Deere's self-driving tractors | E1558 Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

J+M are back recapping this week's episode of All-In and how to stop brigading on Twitter (1:42). They also cover Bolt cancelling its $1.5B acquisition of crypto payments startup Wyre (19:46), Roku adding a TikTok-style feature (30:31), and two We Live in the Future stories! (39:48)

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

(1:42) All-In recap, how Twitter can reduce brigading, and more

(18:26) This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/twist

(19:49) Bolt cancels $1.5B Wyre acquisition

(29:05) Liquid IV - Get 15% off at https://liquidiv.com using promo code TWIST

(30:34) Roku adds TikTok-style feature to its streaming software

(38:17) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(39:51) We Live in the Future: John Deere's self-driving tractors

(49:48) We Live in the Future: $5B Moon-themed hotel might be coming to Dubai

(56:22) China is ramping up its moon operations due to discovering a new mineral

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

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

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How VCs view founders with a side hustle + Bringing ESG to VC with Joe Blair | E1557 Sep 11, 2022

Show notes

Sunday special! First up, J+M break down how VCs view founders with a side hustle (1:44), and how founders can actually make their side hustles accretive to their startup. (12:45) Then, Molly interviews Bay Bridge Ventures Co-Founder & GP Joe Blair on his ESG-focused VC firm. (28:00)

(0:00 Molly tees up today's segments!

(1:44 How VCs view founders with multiple roles

(11:24) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

(12:45) How to create side hustles that are accretive to your startup

(20:52) J+M tee up today's climate interview

(26:56) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(28:00) Joe Blair, Co-Founder & GP at Bay Bridge Ventures, joins Molly to break down his institutional ESG and sustainability-focused firm

(36:09) Spokn - Get 3 months free at https://getspokn.com/twist

(37:37) Bay Bridge's thesis, evaluating what qualifies as an ESG investment, diligence on hard tech, and more

Muck Rack raises $180M, Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson + OK Boomer | E1556 Sep 10, 2022

Show notes

Friday Variety is back! First up, J+M break down Muck Rack's $180M Series A (10:43). Then, Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson joins Molly to discuss her startup (21:16). Finally, Producer Rachel interviews Contra Founder Ben Huffman for another edition of OK Boomer. (32:38)

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

(1:19) Jason recaps his crazy evening at the Lady Gaga concert

(9:53) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(10:43) Muckrack (a database for journalists) raised a $180M Series A(ish)

(19:18) WorkOS - Go to https://workos.com to learn how to make your app enterprise-ready.

(20:48) Elly Health Co-Founder Cecilia Anderson joins the show to break down her startup

(30:52) Neo.Tax - Get $500 off R&D tax credit fees at https://neo.tax/twist

(32:10) Producer Rachel interviews Contra founder Ben Huffman on another edition of OK Boomer!

Check out Elly Health: https://www.ellyhealth.com

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

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

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

Kim Kardashian's new PE firm & impact on VC + how Amazon can turn a profit on Rings of Power | E1555 Sep 09, 2022

Show notes

First up, J+M discuss Kim Kardashian's new PE firm and break down what this means for the broader private investing industry (2:29). Then, Lon Harris joins the show to break down the controversy, history, and math around Amazon's Rings of Power series (25:58).

(0:00) Today's segments!

(2:29) J+M break down SKKY Partners, Kim Kardashian's new PE firm!

(12:04) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(13:34) Has VC entered the public consciousness? Will VC see more high profile celebrities crossing over and starting funds? Is this the future of VC?

(24:54) Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice

(25:58) Lon joins to break down Amazon's Rings of Power taking over online discourse, but first they talk about Twitter being a net negative for society

(36:00) Policygenius - Go to https://policygenius.com to get a free life insurance quote

(37:26) Lon explains controversy in Tolkien fandom, the trio gives quick reviews for Rings of Power and House of the Dragon

(54:50) Bezos's vanity play, how Amazon can turn a profit on Rings of Power

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

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

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

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Instagram to shut down Shopping, reacting to Apple's event & more + The Blueprint Part 9 | E1554 Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

J+M have big hotel energy today as the duo lets it fly on a bunch of topics including: Trump's documents (2:21), Code Conference poker stories (18:40), Instagram shutting down "Shopping" + Zuck's new look (33:36), Starlink (1:04:37), and more! Then, Molly joins Jason for part 9 of The Blueprint! (1:13:00)

0:00 J+M intro today's segments

2:21 Theories on Trump's classified documents

17:18 SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist

18:40 Molly's big interview + Jason's tells poker stories from the Code Conference

29:06 Visa - Learn more about Visa's online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub

30:02 Jason brainstorms a publicity stunt

33:36 Instagram looks to sunset "Shopping" feature, Zuck changes his public persona

40:02 Brave - Download today at https://brave.com/twist to browse faster, search privately and so much more

41:28 Jason confronts his Zuck-induced insecurity

48:11 Why Instagram is shutting down its "Shopping" tab

49:16 Reacting to Apple's event, new watch, AirPods, and iPhone 14

1:04:37 Starlink helping bring broadband to rural areas via school COVID subsidies

1:13:00 The Blueprint Part 9: Molly Wood on manifesting your future!

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

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

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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Jason's DTC investment thesis, Jokr looking to raise $50M, liquidation preference breakdown, witness in Elizabeth Holmes trial goes rogue | E1553 Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

First up, Jason explains his DTC investment thesis (3:00), before he and Molly give some insight into the Bay Area heat wave (13:41). Then, Jason and Molly dive deep on reporting that instant delivery startup Jokr might be raising a new round with unusual liquidation preferences (25:50), then Jason breaks down what liquidation preferences are with some spreadsheets. To wrap, J+M cover a witness in the Elizabeth Holmes trial going rogue! (53:27)

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

(3:00) Holiday weekend catch up + Jason explains his DTC investment thesis

(12:15) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/twist

(13:41) Bay Area heat wave, Burning Man recap

(24:31) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(25:50) Jokr look to raise between $35M-$50M from existing investors, why they have closed operations in the US, how immigration and labor plays into Jokr's decision

(33:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(35:01) Breaking down liquidation preferences and why Jokr investors are looking for an unusually large liq pref in its upcoming round

(53:27) A witness in the Elizabeth Holmes case has gone rogue!

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

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

Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:

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Raising a VC fund in public + Brilliant Planet's Raffael Jovine on the power of algae | E1552 Sep 04, 2022

Show notes

On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss why Jason is planning on raising LAUNCH Fund IV in public! (2:38) Then, Raffael Jovine joins to discuss how Brilliant Planet is growing algae and using it to sequester carbon (39:25)

(0:00) Teeing up today's topics

(2:38) J+M discuss Jason's plain to raise LAUNCH Fund IV in public

(10:44) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(12:18) LP relationships, partner capital requirements, and more fund talk!

(20:16) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(21:42) Teeing up Molly's interview plus an ESG chat!

(38:10) MasterClass - Get 15% off an annual membership at https://masterclass.com/startups

(39:25) Raffael Jovine joins Molly to discuss how Brilliant Planet is growing algae and using it to sequester carbon

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