This Week in Startups

This week, the hosts dive into the Figma IPO and the controversial success of Lina Khan in the regulatory landscape. They ponder whether Meta's superintelligence team is under covert surveillance and explore which countries are leading the AI race. A new initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the MENA region is also discussed, emphasizing practical skills and community building. Plus, there’s excitement around the evolving electric vehicle market, notably BYD's unique import methods and ambitions.

Hon Weng Chong, CEO of Cortical Labs, discusses the groundbreaking integration of biology and computing, showcasing their living cell-based computer. Jonathan Siddarth, CEO of Turing, highlights the urgent need for tougher LLM benchmarks to drive AI improvements. Brendan Foody, co-founder of Mercor, reveals how AI is set to transform recruitment, enhancing the synergy between recruiters and online platforms for job matching. Together, they explore innovative tech's potential to reshape our world.

In this dynamic discussion, Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt and investor at Weekend Fund, partners with Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal and Trust Fund VC. They explore the current startup landscape, including strategies for distinguishing strong revenue from fleeting trends. The duo shares insights on follow-on investment criteria and the cultural shifts towards founders utilizing social media for brand-building. Their thoughts on the benefits of community engagement and evolving venture capital dynamics make this conversation invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike!

The show dives into the controversial Sydney Sweeney jeans ad, sparking debates on beauty standards and cultural implications. Discussions also tackle the evolving role of AI in filmmaking, particularly through IMAX's new AI film festival and Netflix's innovations. A deep look at Figma's IPO offers insights into startup finance and education debates. Plus, they dissect the problematic Tea app's data breach, highlighting privacy concerns and ethical dilemmas in tech. It's a colorful blend of media, tech, and societal reflections!

Dive into a whirlwind of discussions from a significant AI summit in Washington D.C., featuring engaging debates about immigration and solar energy with key political figures. Explore the potential of open-source robotics, the complexities of AI-related executive orders, and the implications of competition with China in tech. Unpack the conversation around the future of employment in the age of AI, and examine the crucial timing for startups looking to integrate AI into their products. Get ready for a fascinating blend of industry insights and political discourse!

Trey Holterman, CEO of Tennr, discusses how AI is revolutionizing healthcare by streamlining access to specialists and improving patient referral processes. Gill Verdon, founder of Extropic AI, shares insights on thermodynamic computing, explaining how it can enhance AI efficiency. Tyler Denk, co-founder of Beehiiv, reveals their rapid feature updates and the importance of adapting to creator needs in the competitive newsletter landscape. Together, they dive into the future of technology in healthcare and content creation.

Today’s show:TWiST is back with a trio of can’t miss interviews with some of our favorite TWiST 500 founders.First up, John Harris of Harbinger Motors tells us about making his EV batteries right here in the USA, and why the loss of EV tax credits might not hurt the business as much as you’d think…THEN, we’re talking to James Hawkins of PostHog about how keeping his burn rate low opened up a wealth of new opportunities for his company…THEN Yoshi Yokokawa from Alpaca HQ stops by to talk about working in a category that’s no longer the hottest thing in the Valley (like fintech) and the importance of stable coins to his business model.You won’t want to miss this one! Tons of fresh and important insights for founders.Timestamps:(0:00) INTRO, The market’s hit an ALL TIME HIGH… what does it mean for founders and smaller companies?(2:19) Figma’s going IPO… how its success could impact other the entire landscape for the rest of the year.(10:12) Netsuite - Download the ebook Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders for free at https://www.netsuite.com/twist(11:29) Harbinger co-founder/CEO John Harris tells us about building EVs for commercial fleet, live FROM the factory(19:58) Retool - Visit https://www.retool.com/twist and try it out today.(21:15) Harbinger co-founder/CEO John Harris tells us about building EVs for commercial fleet, live FROM the factory (cont…)(30:07) .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to www.get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.(31:07) How much of Harbinger’s product is actually manufactured in the US (and why that’s a more complex question than it sounds) (31:39) Why the rollback of EV tax credits might NOT have a huge impact on Harbinger’s business.(36:53) James Hawkins of PostHog explains how and why Stripe funded their most recent round.(40:23) Will it soon be easier to build a virtual product manager than hire the right human person? MAYBE!(42:11) Why building PostHog as open source was so vital for boosting adoption among developers(47:45) Why James credits a low burn rate and being “multi-product” with PostHog’s success and traction(01:00:02) Alpaca CEO and co-founder Yoshi Yokokawa explains to us how the API brokerage infrastructure co. actually makes money(01:00:41) Why it matters that Alpaca is a “self-clearing market maker”: Yoshi unpacks how trades actually get executed(01:07:46) The massive impact of Robinhood on the entire fintech business and how this benefits Alpaca(01:18:06) Yoshi’s tips for founders working in categories that aren’t THE HOTTEST IN THE WORLD right nowSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(10:12) Netsuite - Download the ebook Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders for free at https://www.netsuite.com/twist(19:58) Retool - Visit https://www.retool.com/twist and try it out today.(30:07) .TECH: Say it without saying it. Head to www.get.tech/twist or your favorite registrar to get a clean, sharp .tech domain today.Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Dive into the dynamics of indie publishing as a major player seeks $100 million to fend off competition. Explore the rivalries between Substack, Beehive, and Patreon, and how they navigate the evolving media landscape. Unpack the implications of AI on content monetization and the societal effects of meme culture. Plus, a look ahead at the self-driving revolution, with insights on Uber's latest partnerships and the bright future of automated driving. Get ready for some thought-provoking insights!

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.

Discover the drama behind Windsurf's failed deal with OpenAI and the implications of new agreements with Google and Cognition AI. Dive into the trendy yet tumultuous world of blitzhiring in startups. Tesla's expansion of its robotaxi service raises questions about regulatory needs and safety. Explore cutting-edge wildfire detection technology and how tech startups are innovating in fire prevention. Plus, predictions on AI's future impact on the job market and a look back at nostalgic tech like SnapStream. All these topics blend humor and insight for an engaging listen!