Thinking Machines’ RECORD seed round, VC Geoff Lewis, and MORE | E2152
This Week in Startups
Intro
This chapter explores the difficulties encountered by the CEO of Twitter, now X, in managing a platform centered on free speech amidst unpredictable controversies. It also incorporates sponsorship segments that highlight vital business services for startups.
Today’s show:
Jason and Alex tackle a full tech and business news docket on today’s show, including Jason’s big SF trip with Launch Accelerator’s 34th cohort, some peculiar social media posts from VC Geoff Lewis, a look inside the HUGE seed rounds being commanded by early-stage AI startups, crunching the numbers on how much compute data centers need to sell before they’re profitable, Polymarket asks who will be the next CEO of X and MUCH MUCH MORE.
Join us for the longest-running and most in-depth podcast on Earth for startup founders.
Timestamps:
(00:00) INTRO
(01:31) Jason’s in SF with LAUNCH Accelerator cohort 34… His take on the mood in Silicon Valley.
(07:52) Odd X posts from Bedrock Capital’s Geoff Lewis… what does it all mean?
(10:09) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(14:44) Ask JCal: What founders can do to guard their own mental health and well-being
(20:17) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!
(22:04) Thinking Machines Lab set a new record for a seed round: what’s going on with these MEGA deals?
(28:51) Alex (and Kabir from LAUNCH’s research team) investigated the economics of data centers… just HOW MUCH can you make from selling compute? And how long does it TAKE to turn a profit?
(30:52) Bolt - Don’t be left behind. Build apps quickly without knowing how to code with Bolt.new. Try it free at https://www.bolt.new/twist.
(37:09) Superintelligence vs. AGI: Jason thinks we’re still more than 2-3 years away…
(39:52) GPx is not a traditional VC fund: here’s what industry vet Brian Singerman is up to
(49:37) The importance of setting your own corporate culture… before it gets set for you!
(58:15) Polymarket has ideas for the next X CEO… see where Jason ranks on the list!
(01:03:18) Reddit wants to know… Do investors judge founders negatively who rely on lots of AI tools?
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Thank you to our partners:
(10:09) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(20:17) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!
(30:52) Bolt - Don’t be left behind. Build apps quickly without knowing how to code with Bolt.new. Try it free at https://www.bolt.new/twist.
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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