This Week in Startups

Latest Episodes:

$AMZN & $AAPL earnings, $META investors losing faith, Jay Trading + OK Boomer with Nate O'Brien | E1521 Jul 30, 2022

Show notes

Jason is BACK and he's ready to Jay Trade! Jason and Molly wrap up big tech earnings week with a major deep dive on $AMZN's impressive quarter (1:53), $AAPL's slowing revenue growth/growing subscriber base (26:04), and the lack of faith in $META's big bet. (31:44) Producer Rachel wraps the show with another great edition of OK Boomer, featuring popular YouTube and investor Nate O'Brien! (40:18)

(0:00) Jason is BACK for a huge news day!

(1:53) $AMZN Q2 was highlighted by two insane business segments: AWS and advertising

(18:20) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today

(19:24) Continued breakdown of $AMZN's Q2: Amazon Prime and retail; Jason makes another Jay Trade and gives his investment thesis for $AMZN

(24:43) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist

(26:04) $AAPL earnings: slowing growth, but still putting up huge numbers, Apple's 800M+ paid subscribers

(31:44) Antitrust action against Meta, Jason gives his take on Meta's all-in bet on the metaverse

(39:01) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(40:18) OK Boomer: Investor & YouTuber Nate O'Brien joins to talk growing his YouTube to 1M+ subscribers, his journey to investing, and more

Revolutionizing podcasting + standards vs. innovation with Anchor Co-Founder Mike Mignano | E1520 Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Today's show is a CLASSIC TWiST founder interview. Anchor Co-Founder Mike Mignano joins to tell Anchor's founding story (1:40), break down what it's like getting acquired by Spotify (15:32), and talk about how RSS standards might be stunting innovation in the podcasting space. (33:17)

0:00 Jason intros today's guest: Anchor Co-Founder Mike Mignano

1:40 Mike explains why he started Anchor, the original inspiration and first versions, finding PMF, building the nuts and bolts of a great podcast publishing experience

14:23 Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice

15:32 Why Anchor sold to Spotify, the Series B term sheet they were considering at the time of acquisition, getting courted by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, Anchor's first check story

24:44 LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist

25:58 Why Apple hasn't innovated in podcasting, paid podcasts vs. advertising

31:59 Babbel - Save up to 60% off your language learning subscription at https://babbel.com/twist

33:17 Why Mike wrote his recent article: "The Standards Innovation Paradox", evolving standards to increase innovation, the Substack example

Read Mike's article:

https://mignano.medium.com/the-standards-innovation-paradox-e14cab521391

How to supercharge your network + $GOOG & $MSFT earnings & $SHOP layoffs with Deirdre Bosa | E1519 Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

BIG variety show today!

Jason kicks off the show with Part 3 of "The Blueprint" series (1:43), then, CNBC's Deirdre Bosa joins to break down $GOOG and $MSFT earnings, $SHOP layoffs, and $COIN's SEC probe (17:23), and we wrap with Producer Rachel joining to break down the Kylie/Kim vs. Instagram feud! (45:42)

(0:00) Molly tees up today's variety show: The Blueprint Part 3, big tech earnings with Deirdre Bosa, and Kylie/Kim vs. Instagram with Producer Rachel!

(1:43) The Blueprint Part 3: Jason explains how to build and supercharge your network

(16:27) Visa - Learn more about Visa's online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub

(17:23) CNBC's Deirdre Bosa joins to talk big tech earnings

(19:21) $MSFT earnings for fiscal Q4 and FY2022

(25:18) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups

(26:45) $GOOG Q2 earnings

(33:05) $SHOP lays off 10% of employees (~1000), Tobi Lutke's blog post, Q2 earnings

(37:45) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(39:00) $COIN faces new SEC probe regarding whether or not they allowed investors to trade unregulated securities

(45:42) Molly brings on Producer Rachel to break down the recent backlash against Instagram from celebrities and TikTok's superiority regarding creator monetization

Solving prescription drug pricing in the US with Cost Plus Drugs & Capital RX CEOs | E1518 Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Today, we have two interviews with founders innovating in the US prescription drug market to bring prices down for consumers.

First up, Molly talks with Alex Oshmyansky, CEO of The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, about building a "parallel supply chain", the importance of transparency, and a breakdown of the "financial engineering" in the industry. (3:22)

Then, she talks to Capital RX CEO AJ Loiacono for a full breakdown on PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) and the opaque pharmaceutical supply chain. (40:35)

(0:00) Molly intros today's two interviews

(3:22) Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs Company CEO and Founder Alex Oshmyansky on operating a startup while still being a practicing doctor and Cost Plug Drugs' business model

(11:21) Harmonic - Get $4000 off at https://harmonic.ai/twist

(12:43) Alex explains the state of the US drug space, why they're trying to build a "parallel supply chain", the importance of transparency, and the origin story of the company

(23:44) Prometheus - Go to https://prometheusalts.com or download it on the App Store and use the access code TWIST to sign up

(25:11) Drug production, hot button drug issues

(32:16) Alex explains the "financial engineering" and profiteering in the prescription drug space

(39:15) BairesDev - Go to https://baires.dev/twist and get $10,000 off when you sign your first contract

(40:35) Molly intros the next guest: Capital RX CEO AJ Loiacono, who explains the convoluted and opaque pharmaceutical supply chain

(54:30) Understanding PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) and the broader healthcare industry

(1:04:09) AJ gets into his background, starting Capital RX, and how it fits into the ecosystem

$NFLX stops sharing, $SNAP Q2 earnings, $COIN alleged insider trading with Alex Wilhelm | E1517 Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

We have a big news show with a very special guest!

TechCrunch's Alex Wilhelm fills in for Jason to break down the news with Molly.

They cover Netflix cracking down on password sharing (2:12), Snap's rough Q2 earnings (6:45), Coinbase's alleged insider trading (21:28), the 3AC Bloomberg interview (36:37), and more!

(0:00) Molly tees up today's news with Alex Wilhelm, who is filling in for Jason!

(2:12) Molly and Alex share thoughts on Netflix cutting password sharing in some Central/South American countries

(6:45) $SNAP Q2 earnings: stock drops ~40% on slowing revenue growth and growing losses

(11:15) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(12:27) Jason's almost-Jay Trade, $SNAP's debt situation, most interesting implications from the week ahead of big tech earnings

(20:12) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(21:28) $COIN's alleged insider trading, Jay Carney getting hired by Airbnb away from Amazon

(35:23) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(36:37) Reacting to the 3AC founders' interview with Bloomberg, crypto contagion due to intermingling

(45:09) Man who lost ~8000+ Bitcoin in a landfill is trying to raise capital to uncover the hard drive

Telling founders "no," Board meeting etiquette (VC School), + Michael Luciani | E1516 Jul 24, 2022

Show notes

For today's VC Sunday School, Jason talks about saying "no" to founders (1:20), and Molly asks about board meeting etiquette (20:12). Then, for This Week in Climate Startups, Molly speaks with Michael Luciani of Climate Capital (37:18).

(0:00) Jason intros today's show

(1:20) VCSS: Saying "no" to founders

(9:20) Brave - Download today at https://brave.com/twist to browse faster, search privately and so much more

(11:01) Some VCs give a "no" to gauge a founder's tenacity

(19:08) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today

(20:12) Board meeting etiquette

(36:02) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(37:18) TWiCS: Michael Luciani of Climate Capital

(1:02:40) Outro

Ben Narasin on raising a new VC fund in a down market, + Natalie Barbu of Rella | E1515 Jul 23, 2022

Show notes

Today, Jason and Molly speak with Ben Narasin of Tenacity VC about raising a new venture capital fund in the down market (1:30). Then, for this week's segment of OK Boomer, Producer Rachel sits down with Natalie Barbu of Rella (1:00:33).

(0:00) Jason intros today's show!

(1:30) Jason and Molly speak with Ben Narasin of Tenacity VC

(11:45) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in art using promo code TWIST at https://Masterworks.io/twist

(13:07) How do you make a decision to sell a percent of your position?

(26:59) Bubbles - Get your point across with unlimited screen and video recordings for free at https://usebubbles.com/twist

(29:06) Valuations, 2022

(39:39) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(40:47) Crypto is a speculator's game

(45:25) Are these tokens securities?

(59:19) Producer Rachel tees up this week's OK Boomer

(1:00:33) OKB: Natalie Barbu of Rella 1:25:16 Outro + Plugs

$AMZN acquiring One Medical, The Snyder Cut bot army, + maybe some Jay Trading | E1514 Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

First up, Jason and Molly break down Amazon acquiring One Medical for $3.9B — what is the long-term strategy here (2:44)? And you know it's Thursday, so you know we had to have Lon Harris on the show (16:36). We break down the Snyder Cut bot craziness (24:38), and Netflix's path forward (37:25). There might even be a Jay Trade involved!

(0:00) Jason and Molly tee up the show!

(2:44) Amazon acquired One Medical for $3.9B

(14:20) Prometheus - Go to Prometheusalts.com or download it on the App Store and use the access code TWIST to sign up

(16:36) Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming: "Cryptoqueen" pilot

(22:31) Intercom - Get advanced Intercom features and Early Stage Academy at a 95% discount bit.ly/earlystage22

(24:38) Rolling Stone reported The Snyder Cut was fueled by a bot army

(32:43) Microsoft for Startups Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(34:49) Thoughts on Amazon's streaming service

(37:25) Jay Trading? Thoughts on Netflix's path forward

(46:30) Wrapping up and picking a new show

(50:30) Outro

Jay Trading: $NFLX Q2 earnings, The Blueprint E2: when to quit your job, + more | E1513 Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Yesterday, Netflix released its Q2 earnings, and this prompted Jason to make some Jay Trades (2:53). Then, we have our second installment of "The Blueprint," where Jason breaks down when you should quit your job (45:14). Finally, we wrap with our Startup of the Day: BeReal (1:06:48).

(0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today's show!

(2:53) Jay Trading: Jason does some Jay Trading in relation to the Netflix Q2 results

(10:27) BairesDev - Go to https://www.baires.dev/twist

(11:50) Netflix reported Q2 earnings yesterday, they were meh

(14:38) What's the problem at Netflix?

(24:27) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist

(25:42) Prediction: Disney+ will exceed Netflix

(28:01) Jay Trading: Disney

(30:20) What would make you buy Netflix?

(37:00) Two other ideas for Netflix

(44:18) Visa - Learn more about Visa's online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub.

(45:14) The Blueprint E2: when should you quit your job?

(1:06:48) Startup of the Day: BeReal

(1:17:39) Coming up this week

Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius: practical advice for founders and investors in a downturn | E1512 Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

Molly had a big board meeting today, so we had our guy Zach Coelius join for another version of Ask an Angel (1:32). Zach and Jason share their thoughts on remote work (4:40), the downturn (22:10), and then they answer audience questions (41:22). It's a solid episode for founders and investors!

(0:00) Jason intro's today's Ask an Angel episode with Zach Coelius

(1:32) Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius

(4:40) Zach's thoughts on remote work

(13:19) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(14:37) Managing a company post-COVID

(17:00) Who shines in the remote work era?

(20:51) Notion - Get $250 off by using code TWIST at https://notion.so

(22:10) The downturn: will people cancel or review their SaaS bills?

(26:09) How many of Zach's founders have prepped for the downturn?

(30:50) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(32:02) Don't try to invest in pre-product market fit companies when you're first starting out (unless you know the founder's awesome)

(41:22) Q&A: How do you think about competition in the same market in the early stages?

(46:43) What are the top buzzwords you're staying away from as investors right now?

(59:00) Would you invest in SF?

(1:04:00) How much dilution after seed rounds turns into a red flag?

(1:06:14) Should the equity grant occur during financings or the board meeting?

(1:09:15) What does Zach focus on in terms of diligence?

(1:19:30) As a founder, when should you provide pro rata to angels and when not?

(1:25:10) Have you ever advised a founder to leave the CEO role?

(1:32:29) How long do you think the down market is going to be and what's your strategy?

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