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How to Pick the Right Founders
"There's only three things that matter. Team product customers. Everything else is not important," he says. "When you don't know what to do as a founder, when you're scared...that's when you go talk to your customers"
This Week in Startups is presented by:
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Today’s show:
Jason and Brad speak with Mubadala Capital’s Head of Ventures, Ibrahim Ajami, at Hub71 in the UAE. The three discuss how startups can survive and thrive in an economic downturn (1:02) before diving into the sacrifices that founders must make to create an incredible product. (14:16) They also explain how the AI revolution will affect software, startups, capital allocators, and more! (40:36)
Follow Mubadala: https://twitter.com/MubadalaCapital
Follow Ibrahim: https://twitter.com/IbrahimAjami
Follow Hub71: https://twitter.com/hub71ad
Follow Brad: https://twitter.com/altcap
Time stamps:
(0:00) Nick kicks off the show
(1:02) Surviving the downturn
(12:46) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST
(14:16) Sacrificing to build a great product
(26:34)Trovata - Use code TWIST at https://trovata.io/twist for 30% off one year of premium features, like AI forecasting
(27:47) Brad’s letter to Mark Zuckerberg and AI creating ultra-efficient startups
(39:02) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist
(40:36) The AI revolution
(50:48) The implications of AI on the software industry
(55:50) Creating the Silicon Valley culture
(59:32) Reflecting on the success of the Launch Accelerator
(1:06:23) Building culture within your firm and dealing with failure
(1:19:03) Opinions on WFH
(1:25:05) Recognizing product velocity
(1:29:11) Advice for young founders
(1:34:47) Advice for founders in emerging markets
Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding
Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
Follow Jason:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast
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