This Week in Startups

Latest Episodes:

VC School: Deal Memos + Sphere CEO Alex Wright-Gladstein (Climate) | E1442 Apr 24, 2022

Show notes

First, in a VC Sunday School segment, Jason explains his approach to deal memos (01:42) and what parts of a memo are most important. Then, in a This Week in Climate Startups segment, Molly chats with Alex Wright-Gladstein of Sphere (17:06) about offering climate friendly retirement plan options (21:43), financial incentives and more.

(00:00) A teaser from today's VCSS (01:42) VCSS: Deal Memos (10:06) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today (11:13) Which parts of deal memos do people really read? (17:06) TWiCS w/Alex Wright-Gladstein of Sphere (20:22) Microacquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist (21:43) What makes it hard to have climate friendly options? (30:44) Cyvatar - Get your first 2 months free at https://cyvatar.ai/twist (32:03) How does everybody get paid?

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Twitter funding secured, Boring Co. raises $675M, Amazon's $1B VC fund, Ackman's $400M loss + The Lunar Society: Dwarkesh Patel | E1441 Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

First Jason and Molly do four rapid news stories: Elon securing funding for the Twitter buyout (03:20), Bill Ackman's $430M loss on Netflix (11:48), The Boring Company's $675M raise (18:47), Amazon's $1B Industrial Innovation fund (28:56). Then, Producer Rachel interviews Dwarkesh Patel of The Lunar Society Podcast (37:12), he's a recent computer science graduate and one of the 42 people Jeff Bezos follows on Twitter!

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's show (03:20) Elon secures funding (09:59) Intercom - Get advanced Intercom features and Early Stage Academy at a 95% discount https://www.intercom.com/early-stage (11:24) A little more on Elon solving the bot problem (11:48) Ackman's $430M loss (18:47) Boring Co's $675M raise (23:17) Microsoft for Startups Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (24:35) The grand vision of The Boring Co. (28:56) Amazon's $1B fund (32:51) Thorne - Personalized, scientific wellness. Go to https://Thorne.com/u/TWIST (34:15) Introducing the OK Boomer Segment (37:12) Dwarkesh Patel of The Lunar Society Podcast

Check out The Lunar Society: https://www.dwarkeshpatel.com/

Follow Dwarkesh: https://twitter.com/dwarkesh_sp

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

TSLA earnings + Streaming: WeCrashed & Severance review, CNN+ demise, Netflix's future | 1440 Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

First, Jason and Molly cover Tesla's strong Q1 and gems from the earnings call (2:22), then Lon Harris joins (31:32) to discuss WeCrashed episode 7 (34:17), Severance episodes 1-3 (58:46), Netflix's rough Q1 and quality drop off (1:13:35) and CNN+ shutting down (1:26:40).

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's news topics and their chat with Lon Harris (02:22) Tesla had a blowout quarter in Q1 earnings (14:12) Rocket - Go to http://getrocket.com/twist and use promo code TWIST for 20% off your first placement. (15:33) Thinking of ways Tesla's robotaxis could work (21:37) LinkedIn - Post your first job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist (22:52) The power of Optimus; OpenAI getting sentient? (29:06) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today (31:32) Talking WeCrashed, Severance, Netflix, and CNN+ with Lon Harris (34:17) WeCrashed ep. 7 (SPOILERS) (58:46) Severance ep. 1-3 (SPOILERS) (1:13:35) Lon on Netflix dropping subscribers for first time since 2011 (1:26:40) Lon on Warner Bros Discovery shutting down CNN+ April 30th

FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Netflix earnings breakdown, Kushner's $3B pitch deck, CNN+ on pause, Grubhub for sale | E1439 Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

First, we break down Netflix's earnings and discuss where Netflix's content strategy might have gone wrong (2:46). Then, Jason pitches Jared Kushner's leaked PE firm fundraising deck (35:15). We wrap with a discussion of Warner Bros. Discovery possibly killing CNN+ (56:27) and Just Eat Takeaway announcing they are looking into selling Grubhub, 10 months after finalizing a $7B acquisition (1:13:21)!

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's news show

(02:46) Netflix reported a drop in subscribers for the first time ever in their Q1 earnings report

(13:54) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.co/twist

(15:14) Netflix vs. other streaming platforms

(24:47) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist

(26:06) Does Netflix need to take more risks with content?

(34:11) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(35:15) Jared Kushner's $3B VC pitch deck was leaked by The Intercept… it's exactly what you might expect

(56:27) Axios reports CNN+ is already in danger of being canned 3 weeks after launch

(1:13:21) Just Eat Takeaway announced they're looking to sell Grubhub after finalizing $7.3B acquisition of the company just 10 months ago

(1:22:22) WeLove Adam Neumann

(1:25:06) All In Summit 30 days away

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

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

Jack's candid Twitter takes, FB invests in African internet, Regent's electric Seaglider, Better.com layoffs | E1438 Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

First, Jack is getting candid about Twitter's board dysfunction (2:14). Then, we cover Facebook's internet infrastructure development projects in Africa (24:31) and Better.com's new round of layoffs (33:53). Our startup of the day is Regent, which is making a regional seaplane (46:51). We wrap with a discussion of Zendesk considering a sale (1:01:34) and Telsa's third act (1:04:57).

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's news (02:14) "Jack After Dark" Dorsey tweeting candidly about twitter's board (13:20) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (14:33) What were Jack Dorsey's plans? (23:13) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist (24:31) Developing countries increasingly reliant on Meta for internet access (32:39) Rocket - Go to http://getrocket.com/twist and use promo code TWIST for 20% off your first placement. (33:53) Better.com started another round of layoffs (46:51) Startup of the day: Regent (1:01:34) Zendesk working with M&A advisor Qatalyst Partners on a potential sales (1:04:57) TechCrunch earnings preview saying we may get a look into Pt. 3 of Tesla's mission

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Q1 venture capital review, Twitter breaks, BeReal's new take on social & more | E1437 Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

All-news show. First, we go over PitchBook's Q1 Venture Monitor report where VC fundraising is high, but portfolio exits are down (3:08). Then, we discuss how the incoming CNN CEO Chris Licht and Chris Sacca are both taking a Twitter break (33:35), and touch on Alex Jones' InfoWars filing for bankruptcy (44:33). Our startup of the day is new social app BeReal (53:55).

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's news stories (03:08) PitchBook and the NVCA released Q1 2022 Venture Monitor, results are staggering (12:32) Notion - Get started for free at https://notion.com/thisweekinstartups (13:49) Q1 US VC funds raised combined $73.8B, more than half of 2021's total of $131.5B (23:13) Microsoft for Startups Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (24:30) Investing in supercycles (32:23) Wealthfront - Get your first $5,000 managed for free, for life at https://wealthfront.com/TWIST (33:35) Twitter breaks (44:33) Alex Jones' InfoWars filed for bankruptcy (53:55) Startup of the day: BeReal

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

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

Twitter's takeover defense, Meta's AR project with The Verge's Alex Heath + Wordcab's Aleks Smechov + OK Boomer: Rachel Cantor | E1436 Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Friday variety show! First, The Verge's Alex Heath joins to talk about two big stories he recently broke (2:32): Facebook's plans for AR glasses and Twitter's internal reaction to Elon's takeover bid. Molly sits down with LAUNCH Accelerator founder Aleks Smechov whose company Wordcab specifically focuses on speech-to-text AI summaries (1:04:54). We wrap with an edition of OK Boomer where Producer Rachel talks to writer and marketer Rachel Cantor (1:18:51)!

(00:00) Molly tees up today's variety show (02:32) Alex Heath from The Verge joins to discuss the news he broke on Facebook/Meta's further push into AR/VR (10:40) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist (11:59) Mark Zuckerberg's ego in the AR/VR race, CTRL-labs acquisition a cool move or a fool move? (22:17) Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.io/twist! (23:33) Magic Leap & where is Microsoft in AR/VR? (33:24) Microsoft for Startups Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (34:41) Will Google get more involved with AR/VR? (38:04) Twitter's all-hands and future prospects (1:04:54) Introducing Molly's interview w/Wordcab's founder & CEO Aleks Smechov (1:07:10) Molly's interview w/Wordcab founder & CEO Aleks Smechov (1:18:51) Toss to OKB w/Rachel & Rachel Cantor of Tydo

FOLLOW Alex: https://twitter.com/alexeheath

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

FOLLOW Aleks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandr-smechov/

Check out Wordcab: https://wordcab.com/

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Elon offers to take $TWTR private at $43B + Autonomous car drives away from police | E1435 Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

All news show. First, Jason and Molly debrief after their Worldcoin interview (2:37). Next, they discuss Elon Musk's take-private offer for Twitter at $43B (08:50), the highlights from Elon's TED interview (15:33), and more (24:53). In a We Live in the Future segment, we react to a viral video of police pulling over self-driving Cruise car (58:38).

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today's Elon/Twitter packed news day (02:37) Discussing Worldcoin and dictating narratives (08:50) Elon offers to purchase all outstanding shares of Twitter and take the company private, a deal worth $43B (14:01) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (15:33) Elon Musk speaks at TED on 4/14/22 about open-sourcing the Twitter algorithm (23:32) Indochino - Get $50 off any purchase of $399 or more by using code TWIST at checkout https://www.indochino.com (24:53) Elon on increasing the trust in Twitter as a public platform (32:42) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist (34:04) Are Elon's claims about Twitter credible? (58:38) WLITF: Vid of police pulling over self-driving Cruise car goes viral

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Meta's 47.5% take rate + Worldcoin CEO Alex Blania: onboarding the globe to crypto | E1434 Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

First, we cover Meta's announcement that they will be taking 47.5% creator fees on their Horizons platform (2:17) and A16Z's Crypto lead Chris Dixon ranking number one on the Forbes Midas List. Then, Jason and Molly chat with Worldcoin CEO Alex Blania to talk about the crypto project he launched with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (11:08). Worldcoin is scanning people's irises with custom-made hardware and aspires to reach over 1 billion people (23:21). Alex addresses privacy concerns, scaling challenges (32:45) and more.

(00:00) Molly Intros today's crypto episode (02:17) FB taking 47.5% cut of all transactions in their Horizon Worlds Metaverse (08:07) Chris Dixon named #1 VC in the world by Forbes (09:49) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist (11:08) Interview with Alex Blania of Worldcoin (22:16) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (23:21) Worldcoin's iris-scanner "Worldcoin Orb" (31:32) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today (32:45) Discussing the controversy surrounding Worldcoin's iris scanning

Check out Worldcoin: https://www.worldcoin.org

FOLLOW Alex: https://twitter.com/alexblania

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Shopify Board proposes share restructuring + The Atlantic's Derek Thompson, Why American Teens Are So Sad | E1433 Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

First we discuss Shopify planning 10-to-1 stock split & increasing CEO/Founder Tobi Luke's control from 34% to 40% (1:42). Then, the Atlantic's Derek Thompson joins to discuss his piece "Why American Teens Are So Sad" (25:59), including the impacts of new-parenting styles (33:38), social media (44:10) and infinite news.

Check out Derek's piece: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/04/american-teens-sadness-depression-anxiety/629524/

FOLLOW Derek: https://twitter.com/DKThomp

(00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today's show (01:42) Shopify planning 10-to-1 stock split & increasing CEO/Founder Tobi Luke's control from 34% to 40% (14:31) Rocket - Go to http://getrocket.com/twist and use promo code TWIST for 20% off your first placement. (15:44) Is Tobi Luke pressing his advantage? (24:45) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (25:59) Talking to The Atlantic's Derek Thompson about his piece "Why American Teens Are So Sad" (32:14) Dell For Startups - Apply and get up to 45% off at http://dell.com/twist (33:38) How does parenting or over-parenting play into increased teenage sadness? (44:10) Should social media be regulated for kids similar to alcohol?

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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