This Week in Startups
Discord’s Power Move, Slate’s Modular EVs & the “Act for Private Gain” | E2117
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Slate Auto's customizable $25K EV truck aims to attract budget-conscious consumers by prioritizing practicality over luxury features.
- Discord's leadership change, with a new CEO from the gaming sector, is poised to enhance the platform's potential for an IPO.
- Tailscale is emerging as a crucial player in AI networking solutions, providing secure communication that addresses the challenges of multi-cloud environments.
Deep dives
A Night Out in Detroit
The speaker recounts an evening in Detroit, attending a basketball playoff game with friends, including Ben Stiller and Timothy Chalamet. They discuss the challenges of acquiring courtside tickets due to restrictions based on location and IP addresses, which they managed to overcome thanks to a determined friend named Heidi. The highlight of the trip was enjoying the local vibe and atmosphere of Detroit, described as surprisingly warm and welcoming. The experience also included staying at a boutique hotel and tasting what was allegedly the best hamburger of their life.
Emerging EV Truck Market
The conversation shifts to the introduction of a new electric vehicle truck company backed by Jeff Bezos. The truck differentiates itself with its modular design, allowing users to customize it according to needs. Emphasizing affordability, the vehicle is priced at around $25,000, making it appealing to young people or those seeking budget-friendly options without the added luxuries of high-end vehicles. The segment also touches on the cultural relevance of small utility vehicles, akin to the K-trucks popularized in Japan.
Shifts in the Automotive Industry
As electric vehicles gain traction in the market, the discussion highlights the growing preference for value-based products amidst economic uncertainties. The speaker notes how consumers are gravitating toward practical solutions that avoid hefty price tags and complicated features found in luxury vehicles. This trend is supported by data showing how automakers would need to adapt to maintain relevance. By focusing on simple, efficient designs without the frills, manufacturers can meet customer demands effectively while navigating potential recessions.
The Current State of Discord
The conversation includes updates on the social chat application Discord, noting that a leadership change is happening as the co-founder and CEO steps down. The new CEO brings experience from the gaming industry, which is expected to influence the company's trajectory positively. There's optimism about Discord's potential to go public, especially given its popularity among younger audiences and its growing user base. The substantial financial backing from venture capitalists suggests a strong confidence in the platform's future as a leading communication tool.
The Influence of AI on Networking
The discussion also covers the growing interconnection between artificial intelligence and networking technologies, where tools like Tailscale come to the forefront. As AI companies face challenges related to connectivity across various cloud platforms, Tailscale provides solutions for seamless communication and data transfer. This is particularly important as AI applications become more widespread, requiring efficient networking capabilities. With the rising demand for AI solutions, Tailscale positions itself as a vital component in ensuring secure and reliable connections across multi-cloud environments.
Navigating the Future of Technology
A broader reflection on the evolution of technology hints at the necessity for a more decentralized and efficient networking infrastructure for the future. The conversation notes that reliance on centralized cloud providers can lead to inefficiencies and limitations, especially in terms of storage and computing power. The vision includes empowering individuals and organizations to utilize their resources more effectively, reducing dependency on major tech corporations. The implications of solving fundamental networking problems could pave the way for innovative solutions and applications over the coming decades.
Today’s show: Jason, Alex, and Lon break down today’s top tech and startup stories — from Slate Auto’s customizable $25K EV truck to Discord’s major leadership shakeup ahead of a potential IPO. They also cover Uber’s self-driving push with Volkswagen, Perplexity AI’s aggressive growth moves, and why value-driven products are winning in a tough economy. Plus, Alex sits down with Tailscale CEO Avery Pennarun to unpack how they grew from 5K to 10K customers — and why fixing internet networking could spark the next huge wave of innovation.
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason, Lon and Alex kick off the show!
(3:26) Introduction and features of Bezos-backed EV truck company, Slate
(7:55) Market impact and value proposition of Slate's EV trucks
(9:48) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(14:04) EV features and market potential discussion
(17:42) Discord CEO steps down and IPO prospects
(20:19) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist
(24:00) Uber and Volkswagen's self-driving car partnership
(28:39) Superpower - The best founders know: better health = better business. Visit http://superpower.com/twist to skip the waitlist.
(30:00) Pace of self-driving car adoption and regulation
(37:20) Butterfly Effect secures Benchmark investment
(38:37) Perplexity and Motorola Razr partnership
(43:12) Jason's experience with Light Phone
(45:39) New York Times and Ziff Davis lawsuits against OpenAI
(50:09) Nonprofit structures and OpenAI's mission issues
(54:01) Founder Friday: Pitchfire and TACTUN's two-year plans
(1:02:28) Introduction to Tailscale and Avery Pennarun
(1:10:17) Tailscale's enterprise adoption
(1:21:13) Current Internet networking issues*
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Links from episode:
Check out Tailscale: https://tailscale.com/
Check out Slate vehicles: https://www.slate.auto/en
Check out Not For Private Gain:https://notforprivategain.org/
Check out the Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/
Check out Oregon lawmakers article: ****https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/04/oregon-lawmakers-to-decide-whether-big-tech-should-pay-to-support-local-journalism.html
Check out Manus: https://manus.im/
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Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:48) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups(20:19) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist(28:39) Superpower - The best founders know: better health = better business. Visit http://superpower.com/twist to skip the waitlist.
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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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