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Todays show:
Benchmark’s Sarah Tavel joins Jason to discuss strategies for competing in a changing venture landscape (9:12), the critical role of governance and accountability in startups (19:39), the relationship between hype, investment decisions, and startup promotion (55:20). and more!
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Sarah Tavel joins Jason.
(1:38) Sarah Tavel, Benchmark Partner, on disciplined fund size and efficiency
(5:06) Benchmark's commitment to founders and investment strategy
(9:12) Strategies for competing in a changing venture landscape
(10:00) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(15:50) Valuations, ownership, and building deep relationships with founders
(18:30) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
(19:39) The critical role of governance and accountability in startups
(28:36) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(30:16) The power of incremental improvements and executive limitations
(34:32) Vanity metrics vs. building enduring value in startups
(43:12) The consequences of choosing status over results in startup success
(46:22) Building trust in leadership and the pressures of maintaining success
(49:03) The importance of non-consensus bets and independent thinking
(55:20) The relationship between hype, investment decisions, and startup promotion
(58:19) In-person work vs. remote work: Impact on startup productivity
(1:02:58) SaaS market challenges: Pricing, AI impact, and future models
(1:07:33) Exciting AI investments and the transformative potential of new technologies
(1:13:01) AI advancements, new use cases, and the competitive landscape
(1:17:16) How incumbents and consumers are benefiting from AI advancements
(1:19:15) Embracing AI in daily tasks and business operations
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Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com
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Check out Benchmark: https://www.benchmark.com/
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Follow Sarah:
X: https://x.com/sarahtavel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahtavel/
Sarah’s Substack: https://www.sarahtavel.com/
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Follow Jason:
X: https://twitter.com/Jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(10:00) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at http://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(18:30) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
(28:36) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
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Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
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Follow TWiST:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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