This Week in Startups

Ask Jason LIVE!: Unpacking Startup Strategies with Real-Time Q&A | E1921

Mar 27, 2024

01:09:46

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Topics include prioritizing multiple founders for investments, advice on creating a moat for a startup, and whether not focusing on AI in a pitch will affect investment chances. Guests ask about investment firms changing their strategies, the dynamics of solo founders vs. multiple co-founders, and startup funding strategies. Other discussions include enhancing experiment velocity with EPO and leveraging AI in startup products.

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Prioritizing multiple founders for investments is a crucial consideration for accelerators and investors.

Choosing between grassroots efforts versus securing larger investments requires careful evaluation of financial implications and shareholder equity.

Incorporating AI in pitches should focus on practical applications to enhance user experiences and strengthen investor relations.

Deep dives

Strategies for Adaptation in Seed Stage Investment

For startups aiming for sustainable growth from profitability with minimal external funding, the discussion focused on how convertible notes and safes adapt for startups not planning subsequent funding rounds. The conversation delved into convertible notes converting into equity or being repaid with interest, while highlighting risks associated with safes never converting, potentially leaving investors at a disadvantage.

Protecting Investor Interests in Startup Investments

01:19

Convertible Notes and Future Company Trends

01:20

Equity Distribution in Founding Team

01:23

Introduction

2min

Early-Stage Investment Strategies and Legal Considerations

10min

Exploring Squarespace's Blueprint AI for Custom Website Creation

3min

The Dynamics of Solo Founders vs. Multiple Co-Founders in Startups

8min

New App Availability, Open Phone Ad, and Audience Engagement

3min

Navigating Startup Funding and Customer Engagement Strategies

7min

Enhancing Experiment Velocity with EPO - Coordination, Innovation, and Trust in Results

3min

Finding Adjacencies and Understanding Target Markets

18min

Insights on Startup Strategies and Execution in the Construction Industry

2min

10.

Building Data Moats and Leveraging AI in Startups

15min

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Todays show:

Jason kicks off Ask Jason live! Six live guests ask questions on key topics, including prioritizing multiple founders (13:28), advice around moat for a startup (52:42), and whether not focusing on AI in a pitch will affect investment chances (1:02:38).

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason kicks off another Ask Jason with 6 live guests!

(1:13) Sean asks about investment firms changing how they invest early on.

(11:42) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist

(13:28) Pierson of jellypod asks about prioritizing multiple founders for investments or accelerators

(22:54) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist

(24:47) Ann asks if they should raise venture capital to grow faster even though it means giving up some company ownership.

(32:01) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit http://www.geteppo.com/twist

(39:56) Francis asks how to strike a balance between skepticism and enthusiasm when evaluating a company for investment, given that it's impossible to invest in every company.

(52:42) Hosum asks if explaining their startup's moat as current execution and future benefits after reaching product-market fit is enough to convince investors.

(1:02:38) Thom asks if not highlighting AI in our funding pitch will hurt our chances of getting investment.

Send us your questions for the next episode of Ask Jason LIVE! http://www.thisweekinstartups.com/askjason

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Thank you to our partners:

(11:42) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/twist

(22:54) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at http://www.openphone.com/twist

(32:01) Eppo. Accelerate your experimentation velocity with Eppo. Visit http://www.geteppo.com/twist

Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis