Is Project Europe a YC Riff? Nick Denton is Back! And more! | E2096
This Week in Startups
Intro
This chapter explores the potential convergence of two companies and the advantages of real-time data for AI development. A speaker reflects on their recent media appearance, discussing the changing job landscape for MBA graduates and the need for resilience and entrepreneurship amidst declining opportunities in traditional firms.
Today’s show: Europe wants to keep its founders from fleeing, AI is growing at breakneck speed, and Nick Denton is back with a spicy Twitter storm—so we had to talk about it. Jason, Alex, and Lon break down Project Europe, a new $10M fund aimed at stopping the European startup brain drain. Plus, Anthropic’s revenue just jumped 40% in a single quarter, and we debate what that means for AI’s future. Meanwhile, China’s EV makers are coming for Tesla, Saudi Arabia is building a gaming empire with a $3.5B Pokémon GO buyout, and we ask the big question: Should X and XAI just merge? Since XAI gets real-time data from X, it’s got a major advantage—so what’s stopping them from becoming one?
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Alex, Jason and Lon kick off the show!
(1:29) Recap of Jason's appearance on Glenn Beck's show and advice to MBA students
(4:21) The value of an MBA vs. starting a company(8:14) Nick Denton on Musk, Trump, and investment thesis
(9:47 Squarespace. Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(15:16) The rise of Chinese EV manufacturers and Tesla's challenges
(19:09) Jason's stance on vandalism, protests, and political affiliations
(20:35) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit http://northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!
(23:13) Tesla's brand challenges and future prospects
(25:03) Jason's audience and political neutrality(26:35) Inflation data and its implications for startups
(28:07) Project Europe and entrepreneurship in the EU and Middle East
(29:45) AdQuick. Easily plan, deploy and measure out-of-home campaigns as easily as digital ads. Visit www.AdQuick.com/twist to learn more
(38:09) Jason's personal health and productivity protocol
(41:18) Anthropic's revenue growth, API credits, and AI developments(45:09) AI competition and consumer trust
(46:41) Mainstream adoption of ChatGPT and AI challengers
(48:02) Grok AI's integration with X
(51:12) Sale of Niantic's games business and global market shifts(
58:06) India's economic rise and TSMC's potential deal with Intel
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Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
Follow Lon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonharris
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:47 Squarespace. Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(20:35) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit http://northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!
(29:45) AdQuick. Easily plan, deploy and measure out-of-home campaigns as easily as digital ads. Visit www.AdQuick.com/twist to learn more
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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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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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