Channels with Peter Kafka How to make money in Washington, with Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman
Apr 16, 2025
Jake Sherman, Co-founder of Punchbowl News, shares insights from his thriving startup that covers Congress. He explains what news is generated in a landscape where little legislation passes and discusses innovative products like NBlock AI that enhance data accessibility. Sherman dives into the competitive media landscape, highlighting subscription strategies and audience retention. He also touches on the impact of the Trump era on political reporting and the current debates around TikTok, connecting it to broader foreign policy issues.
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Punchbowl's Organic Growth Model
- Punchbowl News grew organically using its own balance sheet without large capital raises.
- They expanded into financial services and tech policy, filling gaps in Congress coverage.
AI-Powered Congressional Data Tool
- Punchbowl integrated congressional data with AI to create NBlock AI, a chatGPT-like tool for Washington.
- This tool organizes legislation, lobbying, and finance data into a searchable form, speeding information access.
Punchbowl's Loyal Audience
- Punchbowl's readers are obsessives about legislative politics and Washington power.
- Their retention rates are very high, as their audience values detailed insights on congressional insiders.