This Week in Startups

Databricks' Record Raise, TikTok goes to the Supreme Court, and all about the Grammarly-Coda Deal | E2063

Dec 19, 2024

Shishir Mehrotra, former CEO of Coda and incoming CEO of Grammarly, dives into the transformative merger of these two companies, emphasizing user-centered AI platforms. He discusses the evolving landscape of startup funding, highlighting trends and implications for entrepreneurs. The conversation also touches on TikTok's pressing legal challenges and the strategic importance of customer selection. Mehrotra shares insights on how integrating AI can enhance productivity and redefine workplace interactions, paving the way for a more efficient SaaS future.

01:09:36

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Shishir Mehrotra

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast highlights frustrations in the SaaS industry regarding upselling AI features, advocating for comprehensive solutions included in standard offerings.

A shift towards user-centric productivity tools empowers individuals to create tailored applications that drive efficiency and simplify complex tasks.

The merger between Coda and Grammarly aims to build a unified AI platform that enhances user experience by integrating flexible tools and rich capabilities.

Deep dives

Concerns with AI Upselling

There is growing frustration within the software as a service (SaaS) industry regarding the practice of upselling artificial intelligence (AI) features. Many users believe that instead of charging for extended capabilities, companies should provide comprehensive AI-driven solutions as standard offerings. This sentiment is echoed by several technology enthusiasts who feel that the trend towards requiring separate subscriptions for AI functionalities creates a disparity between average users and advanced features. As a result, there is a call for a more inclusive approach to integrating AI tools within all service tiers.

Intro

2min

Skiing Insights and Funding Innovations

7min

The Evolution of Google and the Power of Consolidated Knowledge Management

4min

Cloud Storage and Tech Innovation

7min

Investing in AI: Strategic Insights and Market Dynamics

4min

Navigating Startups and Legal Battles

7min

Legal Turmoil and Business Solutions

2min

Merging Innovations: Coda and Grammarly's Future

24min

The Future of AI Agents in Productivity Tools

4min

10.

Redefining AI through Personalized Engagement Tools

5min

11.

Harnessing Unique Perspectives in Tool Development

2min

12.

The Impact of Acquisitions on Tech Giants

2min

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Todays show:

Alex and Jason discuss Databricks’ record raise, TikTok’s big day at the Supreme Court, Shishir Mehrotra on the Coda-Grammarly merger, and more.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show (3:38) Insights on Databricks' private fundraise and venture capital trends (8:37) Predictions on unlimited free energy, water, and food

(9:41) Coda - Empower your startup with Coda’s Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist (14:25) The declining costs of cloud computing (17:12) Evaluating growth rate for startup valuations (19:46) Competitive landscape: Databricks vs. Snowflake

(20:48) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist 22:07 The strategic importance of selecting the right customers 26:34 Venture capital communication and the ghosting phenomenon 28:43 TikTok's ongoing legal challenges

(31:25) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist (32:33) Shashir Mehrotra on the Coda-Grammarly merger (37:16) Vision and applications of the Coda-Grammarly partnership (42:35) Future of AI agents and Grammarly's role (45:13) SaaS industry dynamics and AI's role in upselling (49:10) The impact of AI on job automation and workforce productivity (54:40) Team sizes and AI-driven productivity debate (57:18) The future interaction with AI agents (1:00:40) Efficiency gains from combining Grammarly and Coda (1:02:02) The role of ChatGPT and AI in social media (1:03:46) Tailoring AI tools for business needs (1:06:26) Lessons from mergers and acquisitions in the tech sector (1:08:08) Strategic acquisitions and their importance in the tech industry

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Follow Shishir:

X: https://x.com/shishirmehrotra

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shishirmehrotra

Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis