TWiST News: $100k Veteran Pitch Winner EMPEQ, US Unicorn Dominance, and T500 Updates | E2055
This Week in Startups
Intro
This chapter explores the intertwined nature of capitalism and democracy, focusing on the complexities and challenges of the American electoral system. It argues for the importance of competition in driving positive outcomes while also introducing sponsors that support small businesses and investors.
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Gusto. Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at https://www.gusto.com/twist
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Fundrise provides access to diversified portfolios of private real estate to all investors with their industry leading, easy to use platform. Sign up today at https://www.fundrise.com/TWIST
DevSquad. Most dev agencies only offer developers. Why? Because product management is hard. Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
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Todays show:
Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss breaking news on Paul Atkins and SEC leadership transitions into discussions on corporate security concerns. Then, Mike Sherbakov and Herbert Dwyer share insights on veteran leadership and EMPEQ's equipment management technology. The conversation highlights technology applications in military contexts and Empeq's dual-use tech. The episode also covers SaaS growth, touches on crypto's influence on elections, economic growth, and more!
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show
(1:54) Paul Atkins and SEC leadership
(6:36) Corporate security concerns
(12:18) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist
(13:24) Mike Sherbakov and Herbert Dwyer join the show
(20:37) Herbert Dwyer on EMPEQ
(24:21) Fundrise - Sign up today at https://www.fundrise.com/TWIST
(25:44) Technology applications in military and equipment management
(30:15) SaaS growth, funding, and customer profiles
(34:42) EMPEQ's dual-use technology and contact information
(36:33) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
(38:01) Launch CloudKitchens incubator and food delivery tech
(44:28) Twist 500 database and Hugging Face spotlight
(53:07) Live events for Twist 500 and EU startup culture
(1:02:28) Crypto's impact on elections and economic growth
(1:17:02) Safety nets and basic needs in capitalism
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Apply for the Launch CloudKitchens Incubator here: https://ck.launch.co
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Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
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Follow Mike:
X: https://x.com/mikesherbakov
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesherbakov
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Follow Herbert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbdwyer
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Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
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Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(12:18) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist
*Gusto pricing shown in ad is based on pricing prior to March 2025
(24:31) Fundrise - Sign up today at https://www.fundrise.com/TWIST
(36:33) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.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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