This Week in Startups Best of This Week in Startups: Week of November 2nd, 2020
Nov 7, 2020
Dive into the experiences of podcasting pioneer Dave Winer, who shares tales from the early tech world, including pivotal moments with icons like Steve Jobs. Uncover the nostalgia surrounding software development and missed chances with products like VisiCalc. Explore ethical dilemmas in food delivery with Grubhub's controversial practices. Lastly, discover innovative growth strategies of startups like DoorDash and cutting-edge spatial mapping technologies from Density that optimize office layouts.
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Winer's Pitch to Jobs
- Dave Winer pitched an outliner to Steve Jobs in 1979.
- Jobs rejected it, wanting a database instead, even though the Apple II wasn't suited for it.
Meeting Bill Gates
- Years later, Winer met Bill Gates, who was more accessible than Jobs.
- Microsoft considered acquiring Winer's company but ultimately backed out, choosing PowerPoint instead.
Grubhub's Controversial Practice
- Grubhub listed non-partnered restaurants without permission, impacting both restaurants and consumers.
- This practice, though beneficial for Grubhub's growth, has been criticized and is becoming illegal in some areas.