This Week in Startups

Is this the end for the Roomba? Why iRobot went bankrupt | E2224

118 snips
Dec 16, 2025
Domestic robots are in high demand, yet iRobot faces bankruptcy. The discussion delves into what led to this decline, including missed opportunities like a potential sale to Amazon. Jason argues that investing disposable income in startups is essential for young people. Additionally, the podcast explores the implications of leaked financial documents from Pipe, as well as the evolving landscape of angel investing and startup funding. Can open-source robotics offer a competitive edge? Tune in for insights on innovation, investment strategies, and the future of automation!
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ADVICE

Start A Micro Fund With Laid-Off Peers

  • Get 100 peers and start a micro-fund to keep investing after layoffs and capture early-stage deal flow.
  • Risk only a small disposable portion of your net worth and diversify across 30–40 startups.
ADVICE

Use The Accreditation Path To Invest

  • Take the accreditation test when available and use up to ~10% of assets for high-risk startup investing.
  • Build a diversified portfolio of 30–40 deals to improve your odds of outsized returns.
INSIGHT

Lower Barriers Unlock Seed Capital

  • Increasing fund caps and participant limits lowers the barrier to forming micro VCs and broadens participation.
  • That shifts early-stage capital availability to year-zero and year-one founders who need small, risky checks.
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