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This Week in Startups

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Oct 11, 2022 • 1h 18min

Amazon's transformation, Peloton's mistakes, VC market downturn & more with Ben Gilbert | E1582

Acquired's Ben Gilbert fills in for Molly Wood and joins Jason to discuss Amazon's transformation (3:57), AI edge cases (22:02), Peloton's mistakes (32:05), used car prices (59:59), and the current VC market downturn. (1:09:18) (0:00) Jason tees up today's topics! (3:57) Acquired's Ben Gilbert joins Jason to break down the news! First up: Amazon sunsets its "Scout" project, and its transformation from a Day 1 to a Day 2 company (10:45) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (11:53) Coco's delivery robots, history of the delivery robot space, where Coco robots can work, the maturation of smartphone components (22:02) AI edge cases: capturing the likeness of a celebrity/notable person (27:33) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups (29:03) Escaping the Uncanny Valley (32:05) Peloton cuts 500 more jobs; CEO's comments make employees panic (37:28) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST (38:59) Peloton's two major corporate strategy mistakes, Apple's mass market luxury innovation (59:59) Used car prices are down significantly (1:09:18) VC market downturn coming off a record 2021; was 2021 an aberration? Check out Acquired: https://www.acquired.fm FOLLOW Ben: https://twitter.com/gilbert FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
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Oct 9, 2022 • 1h 14min

Why VCs care about ownership percentage + Flowcarbon CEO Dana Gibber | E1581

First, Jason explains why many VCs focus on ownership percentage and maintaining ownership throughout an investment life cycle. (1:40) Then, Molly welcomes Flowcarbon CEO Dana Gibber to break down her blockchain-based carbon credits solution! (23:04) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (1:40) VC Sunday School: Why many VCs obsess over ownership percentage (9:19) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (10:53) Jason uses a table to explain dilution over an investments life cycle and why ownership percentage matters (21:43) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist (23:04) Molly welcomes Flowcarbon CEO and Co-Founder Dana Gibber; Dana explains how she got involved with Adam and Rebekah Neumann and Flowcarbon's core offering (36:58) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist (38:29) Dana breaks down carbon offsets (51:14) Dana explains the blockchain verification aspect of Flowcarbon (58:38) How Flowcarbon plans to make money, why doing this on the blockchain is the best solution Check out Flowcarbon: https://www.flowcarbon.com FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Oct 8, 2022 • 1h 2min

US chip industry update, fixing education, Amazon allegations + OK Boomer | E1580

First up, J+M discuss new developments in the US chip industry, including tighter restrictions on exports and a massive new investment in an upstate NY factory! (4:57) They also cover fixing US education (12:37) and a shocking lawsuit against Amazon. (27:58) Then, Producer Rachel is joined by Verci Co-Founders Ami and An on OK Boomer! (40:03)  (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (1:57) Molly and Jason catch up on Friday! (4:57) US clamps down on chip exports to China, Micron brings chip plant to Upstate NY (11:22) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist  (12:37) Fixing US education (24:26) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in fine art using at https://Masterworks.com/twist (25:48) CHIPS positivity (27:58) Amazon lawsuit with shocking allegations (38:51) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (40:03) Producer Rachel is joined by Verci Co-Founders Ami and An to talk about their community group
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Oct 7, 2022 • 1h 11min

Ask Jason! + Streaming news with Lon Harris | E1579

Jason opens the show by answering listener questions for 20+ minutes! (1:19) Then, Lon Harris joins to break down Netflix's new mega-hit, the death of network TV, and more! (30:22) (0:00) Jason tees up today's topics! (1:19) How founders building hardware and deep tech products can more efficiently raise capital (3:58) Settling Co-Founder disputes (8:28) Jason's thoughts on Seattle as a place to live and as a startup hub (9:58) Is now the right time to jump to FAANG with a high-paying role? (13:06) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year of Vitamin D free and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist (14:20) Benefits of taking VC for a founder that's already successfully bootstrapping (19:40) How There Will Be Blood relates to entrepreneurship (23:35) Is there an age cutoff for investing in founders? (28:56) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist (30:22) Lon Harris joins the show to discuss the biggest stories in streaming (34:17) Netflix has a new hit show about Jeffrey Dahmer (38:48) Babbel - Save up to 55% off your language learning subscription at https://babbel.com/twist  (39:59) Understanding Netflix's numbers with the Dahmer show, and the financials around the show's creator Ryan Murphy (47:30) Network TV is dying, Comedy Central's big mistake, and more general streaming talk FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 5min

Twitter ideas, Elizabeth Holmes trial update, universal USB-C + Ellevest's Sallie Krawcheck | E1578

J+M start the show by suggesting some Twitter product ideas (1:59), before ripping through a lightning round of news. (16:26) Then, Molly welcomes Ellevest CEO and Co-Founder Sallie Krawcheck to kick off another season of The Next Unicorns! (31:09) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (1:59) Jason suggests some Twitter product ideas (14:48) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn (16:26) News lightning round: Elizabeth Holmes has sentencing postponed due to incident with a key witness, Europe votes in favor of universal USB-C charging (28:55) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (31:09) Ellevest CEO Sallie Krawcheck joins Molly to discuss her women-focused investing platform (39:06) Helpware - Go to https://helpware.com/TWIST to get $1000 off your first invoice (40:31) Ellevest total assets, launch story, COVID's harsher impact on women (51:39) Sallie's background on Wall Street, turning haters into customers (1:00:13) Sallie shares thoughts on the current macro environment Check out Ellevest: https://www.ellevest.com FOLLOW Sallie: https://twitter.com/salliekrawcheck FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Ellevest State of Women’s Financial Wellness in 2022: https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.assets.ellevest.com/documents/Ellevest-The-State-of-Womens-Financial-Wellness-in-2022.pdf
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Oct 4, 2022 • 1h 1min

Twitter deal updates, Poshmark acquired, Liquid Death's $700M valuation & more | E1577

First J+M say as much as they can about the Twitter news (2:03), before breaking down Poshmark being acquired by Naver (6:38). Then, they break down Liquid Death's $700M valuation (34:05) and Selena Gomez raising at a $100M valuation for her pre-revenue mental health startup. (46:05) (0:00) J+M tee up today's topics! (2:03) Elon Musk proposes closing the Twitter deal at the agreed-upon price of $54.20/share (6:38) Poshmark acquired by Naver (15:50) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist  (17:06) The booming "circular economy" space, Naver's acquisition thesis, "Goodwill Finds", Google's circular economy program (26:54) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (28:17) Jason's ideas for a circular economy startup (34:05) Liquid Death raises $70M at a $700M valuation, on pace for ~$130M revenue in 2022 (38:43) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (40:06) Importance of branding and packaging in CPG (46:05) Selena Gomez raises $5M at a $100M valuation from Serena Williams VC firm for her startup Wondermind, mental health startup space FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Oct 3, 2022 • 1h 24min

Tesla AI Day, SEC charges Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting token, Section 230 & more | E1576

Monday! First up, J+M go down the rabbit hole on Tesla AI Day, what impact some form of general AI might have on the world, and more! (2:09) Then, the duo covers the SEC charging Kim Kardashian for unlawfully promoting a token (35:29), before wrapping with the SCOTUS announcing they will hear two cases regarding Section 230. (59:05) (0:00) J+M tee up Monday's topics! (2:09) J+M open with some thoughts on Tesla's AI Day (11:48) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/twist  (13:21) What could the advancement of AI do for creating businesses and humanity as a whole? (24:24) SnackMagic - Get 10% cashback up to $1000 until October 15th with code HOLIDAY, and see more at snackmagic.com/twist (25:50) Examples of what impact general AI might have on the future, Tesla's AI advantage (34:15) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (35:29) SEC charges Kim Kardashian with unlawfully promoting crypto token (59:05) SCOTUS will hear two cases regarding Section 230, how algorithms play into the publisher vs. platform debate FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Oct 2, 2022 • 43min

How VCs decide to sell a position + Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz | E1575

On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position. (2:01) Then, Molly is joined by Future's Jean-Louis Warnholz to discuss his startup, Future, which offers a climate-friendly debit card! (21:28) (0:00) J+M tee up topics for Sunday! (2:01) On VC Sunday School, J+M discuss how and when VCs decide to sell a position (9:07) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (10:14) Jason talks about his fund management strategy (18:13) Molly tees up today's TWiCS guest! (19:54) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (21:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz joins to discuss his climate-focused debit card (31:10) Harmonic - Get $4000 off at https://harmonic.ai/twist (32:28) Jean-Louis Warnholz breaks down Future's business model Check out Future: https://www.future.green FOLLOW Jean-Louis: https://twitter.com/thefuturescore FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Oct 1, 2022 • 1h 2min

The virtuous cycle of tech startups, Mr. Beast turns down $1B offer + OK Boomer: Taylor Bell | E1574

First up, J+M discuss the virtuous cycle of tech startups (2:15) before breaking down Mr. Beast turning down a $1B acquisition offer for his media business (24:58). Then, Producer Rachel is joined by content creator Taylor Bell to discuss her lessons from growing a brand to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job. (39:02) (0:00) J+M tee up today's segments! (2:15) Demystifying "Friends and Family" rounds, history of angel investing (10:32) Athletic Greens - Get 1 year free of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with first purchase at athleticgreens.com/twist (11:57) The virtuous cycle of tech startups, angel investing (23:53) Paperclip - Go to getpaperclip.com/twist to get the app free for life (24:58) Mr. Beast turned down a $1B acquisition offer for his media company (33:24) Producer Rachel joins to tee up today's OK Boomer guest! (37:45) MasterClass - Get 15% off an annual membership at https://masterclass.com/startups  (39:02) Taylor Bell joins Producer Rachel to discuss starting and growing a YouTube channel to 180K+ subscribers while having a full-time job FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Taylor: https://youtube.com/taylorbell Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
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Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 19min

Meta's text-to-video tool, Zuck's grand plan, Vision Fund to cut staff 30% + $WBD lawsuit | E1573

J+M discuss Meta's new text-to-video tool and what the future of creativity might look like (2:59), then they break down Zuck's grand plan (14:49) before discussing what a recession might mean for startups (27:18) and SoftBank reportedly cutting 30% of its Vision Fund staff. (36:41) (0:00) J+M intro today's segments! (2:59) Meta announces text-to-video tool (13:33) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist  (14:49) Breaking down Zuckerberg's grand plan (21:58) Meta freezes hiring, signals that we've entered a recession (25:52) LinkedIn Marketing -  Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups (27:18) How a recession and big tech layoffs will impact startups (35:28) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist (36:41) SoftBank is reportedly planning to cut at least 30% of Vision Fund staff (41:29) Jason welcomes Lon Harris and the pair discuss HBO's House of the Dragon and its 10-year time jump (51:37) Warner Bros Discovery sued for allegedly misrepresenting HBO Max subscribers by 10M during the Discover / WarnerMedia merger (57:48) Favorite actors to watch doing anything, rockstars in today's world (1:03:03) CCP censors a popular film for its realistic depiction of rural life in China FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

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