Startup pitch competition! Jason invests $25K into one of three founders | E1942
This Week in Startups
Intro
This chapter highlights the key factors involved in assessing startup investments, such as the significance of strong founders and teams. The discussion also touches on the need for product traction and understanding customers, along with insights from sponsors who support startup growth.
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Eppo. Experimentation is how generation-defining companies win. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://www.geteppo.com/twist
Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. Now you can add the Pod Cover to any mattress! Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Cover and get $200 off the pod plus free shipping!
Mercury. Mercury is the fintech startups use for banking* and all their financial workflows. Paying bills, staying in control of company spend, and closing the books doesn't need to be so complex — that's why Mercury powers it all from the one thing every business needs: the bank account. Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com *Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC.
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Todays show:
Jason and Presh kick off the Founder University pitch competition (00:00), then we hear from Peter on Props AI (10:17), Alan on 2ndHandGeek (21:15), and Alex on Zweelie (37:18). Finally, Jason awards a $25K investment (), and details how to apply!
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Jason kicks off the show!
(1:16) Jason brings on Presh to introduce today's pitches!
(9:17) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://www.geteppo.com/twist
(10:17) Peter Kirkham pitches Props AI
(19:45) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping
(21:15) Alan Blakeborough Pitches 2ndHandGeek
(36:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com
(37:18) Alex Hanna pitches Zweelie
(41:44) Jason picks the startup he will invest in!
(43:26) Advice for founders and Q&A
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Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th! Apply here: https://www.founder.university
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We are doing Founder Fridays! Go check out https://founderfridays.tech
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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
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Follow Peter:
X: https://twitter.com/k11kirky
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kirkham
Props AI: www.getprops.ai
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Follow Alan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f3zorroblake
2ndHandGeek: https://exchange.2ndhandgeek.com
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Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hanna-founder
Zweelie: http://zweelie.com
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Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:17) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit https://www.geteppo.com/twist
(19:45) Eight Sleep - Go to https://www.eightsleep.com/twist for $200 off the Pod plus free shipping
(36:16) Mercury - Join 200K startups who use Mercury to operate at their best at http://mercury.com
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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, 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:
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
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Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast
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