This Week in Startups

Jacob Helberg, a senior advisor at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center and author focusing on US-China relations, dives deep into today's geopolitical tensions. He discusses the implications of China's technology, from TikTok's role in national security to the human rights violations faced by the Uyghurs. Helberg explores the contrasting motivations behind US and Chinese approaches to censorship and freedom. He highlights critical lessons from Hong Kong as they pertain to Taiwan's sovereignty, urging a reevaluation of policies to navigate this evolving landscape.

David Blake, CEO and co-founder of Degreed, discusses the pressing need to rethink education in the wake of COVID-19. He critiques traditional credentialism, arguing many degrees prioritize status over real skills. Blake highlights the benefits of early apprenticeship and lifelong learning, emphasizing the importance of adapting education to meet evolving industry needs. He also shares insights on the shift in venture capital focus beyond Silicon Valley, advocating for a skills-based approach to hiring and employee development.

Domm Holland, CEO and co-founder of Fast, shares insights into his innovative one-click checkout platform revolutionizing online shopping. He discusses how Fast simplifies transactions and competes with giants like Apple Pay. Holland highlights generational attitudes toward debt and the rapid growth of e-commerce during the pandemic. He explores the transformation of consumer habits, the impact of Amazon's patent expiration on startups, and the importance of community engagement in the evolving retail landscape.

Explore the duality of facial recognition in law enforcement, weighing crime-solving benefits against ethical risks. Discover the legal battles of Epic Games and the implications for a fair app ecosystem. Dive into innovative water technology merging solar power with water extraction and visionary plans to terraform deserts for enhanced food security. These topics capture the intersection of technology, accountability, and sustainability in today's evolving landscape.

Cody Friesen, the CEO of Zero Mass Water and a material scientist with a PhD from MIT, discusses innovative hydropanel technology that extracts drinking water from sunlight and air. He highlights the potential of this method to provide clean water to billions lacking access. The conversation delves into the environmental impacts of traditional water sourcing and advocates for disrupting current systems with sustainable alternatives. Friesen also emphasizes the importance of culture in leadership as his company navigates challenges while championing social responsibility through entrepreneurship.

Ben Gilbert, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs, and David Rosenthal, angel investor and co-host of Acquired FM, dive into the legal clash between Apple and Epic Games. They explore themes like app store freedom, Epic's potential hardware venture, and TikTok's impact on corporate ethics with the resignation of its CEO. The conversation also covers insights into venture capital dynamics during the pandemic, innovative startup strategies, and the evolving landscape of SPACs, all sprinkled with lighthearted banter about media and personal anecdotes.

Hoan Ton-That, CEO of Clearview AI, dives into the world of facial recognition technology, discussing its crucial role in law enforcement and the delicate balance with privacy rights. He tackles the controversies surrounding the technology, emphasizing ethical considerations and the potential for misuse. Ton-That shares insights on the advancements in accuracy and the challenges of integration, while addressing the pressing debates on public safety versus individual privacy. Plus, there’s a lighthearted moment with a nod to enjoying a cold refreshment!

Jason Fried, Co-founder of Basecamp and Hey.com, dives into the complex challenges faced by developers in navigating Apple's App Store regulations. He shares personal anecdotes about app rejections and fears of removal, advocating for more transparency and fairness in the approval process. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of antitrust scrutiny against tech giants like Apple, leading to a debate on the need for greater developer autonomy. Fried's insights position him as a vocal advocate for change in the tech landscape.

In this engaging conversation, Jason Fried, co-founder of Basecamp and Hey.com, shares his journey in revolutionizing email. He discusses the challenges of launching Hey, emphasizing user frustrations with traditional email and the importance of interoperability. Fried reveals the two-year quest for the domain hey.com and reflects on the strict App Store policies affecting small developers. The talk dives into the dynamic landscape of email services and stresses transparency and user privacy, while addressing remote work's emotional toll during the pandemic.

In this chat, Spencer Kimball, CEO of Cockroach Labs, dives into the shifting landscape of database technology. He discusses the fierce competition with AWS and outlines strategies for startups navigating this space. The conversation touches on the evolution of open source and its impact on software sales, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. Spencer also explores the influence of 5G tech on connectivity and how it can expand opportunities in tech, especially concerning privacy and remote work dynamics.