This Week in Startups

Thinking Machines’ RECORD seed round, VC Geoff Lewis, and MORE | E2152

70 snips
Jul 17, 2025
Jason shares insights from his recent trip to Silicon Valley with the LAUNCH Accelerator cohort. The conversation highlights a record-breaking $2 billion seed round in AI startups, prompting discussions on what drives mega deals. They delve into the financial realities of data centers and the profitability of compute power. Meanwhile, VC Geoff Lewis's cryptic social media posts raise eyebrows, and there's a candid look at mental health challenges faced by founders and venture capitalists, emphasizing the need for support and communication.
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ANECDOTE

Autonomous Cars as Personal Drivers

  • Jason Calacanis shared an anecdote about Autolane enabling autonomous cars to run errands and pick you up at the airport.
  • This concept may encourage car ownership as a personal driver performing daily tasks.
INSIGHT

AI Energizes Small Startups Fast

  • The Silicon Valley startup scene is energized by AI enabling small teams to rapidly generate early revenue.
  • Accelerator hopping has become a viable path for startups to gain support without raising large early rounds.
INSIGHT

VC Geoff Lewis’ Cryptic Posts

  • Bedrock Capital's Geoff Lewis posted cryptic, paranoid messages suggesting stress or mental health struggles.
  • The VC community is concerned and debating whether this is performance art or a cry for help.
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